Announcing the winners of our Free Spirit Competition

There were so many entries to this competition, which is brilliant to see, but meant I shamelessly, with no guilt whatsoever, farmed out the shortlisting, lol. So firstly, let me say a huge thank you to the shortlister and judges for this one. It's so difficult when there is such consistent quality across the whole spectrum of stories.

Without further ado however, massive congratulations to Ensorceled, who wins $150 with his reminiscing of a hot Brooklyn summer. That's followed closely by FirstBlush's sumptuous European liaison which takes $100 for silver and then StarBelliedBoy's wonderfully wicked take of revenge gets $50 for bronze.

Very well done to everyone else who made the shortlist, and of course to everyone else who took part. I'm so impressed at the array of talent on display here.

The full top ten is as follows:

1. Tintinnabulation by  Ensorceled

2. Donna Lee by  FirstBlush

3. The Tramp by  StarBelliedBoy

4. Tabs by  WannabeWordsmith

5. Call Me Zoe by  chris21235

6. Nature Loves You by  Toreador

7. Six Things She Said by  hundredpercent

8. Angela’s Art Day by  DarkSide

9. Fate Not Destiny by  AmuseBouche

10. Atrophy by  el_henke

I'll be in touch with folks re prizes shortly. Another competition will be announced in the next week or two.

Congratulations to all the winners! Every competition seems to get better, so you should all be very proud! I’ve loved reading some of these stories - I now look forward to reading the rest! X

Congratulations to all the winners! I’m really glad I didn’t have to be a judge, as I read every story and would have had a hard time whittling it down to 10. So many amazing stories! Fabulous choices on the top ten list!

Woohoo! Huge congrats to superb podium, amazing rest of Top Ten, and everyone brave enough to enter! Top notch writing outside of Top Ten too!

One of my fav comps to read! 😀

Excellent entries and stellar stories ALL! Great contest, everyone.

The 50 Lush Coins each to the seven runners-up have been paid out, as promised by me and simplyjohn. Well done.

So many fantastic reads! Congratulations to all!

Wow! Honestly, what a brilliant idea for a competition, and my most heartfelt congratulations to the winners! ❤️Never... never thought I would make the top ten, there were so many brilliant stories. I tried to read so many and I was in awe of the ideas and creativity. Thank you mods for organising, and running it.

Wow. What a line-up. I'm genuinely astounded to have even been in the shortlist. I swear there were eleventy hundred better stories than mine in the running. Absolutely stoked to be snapping on the heels of the 3 powerhouses on the podium.

I admit I have yet to read StarBelliedBoy's story. It's been on my list for a while and I just haven't had time between writing and work to devote to reading. I will make amends [edit: have done so. Wow. What a story!]

Congratulations to the well-deserved top picks, fellow runners-up and all those who could have been in with a shot, given the quality of stories on display. It's quite telling that there are more non-mods than mods in the top 10. Everyone brought their A-game.

Thank you to the folk behind the scenes. Shortlister, judges, developers, and a special shout to krystalg and simplyjohn for pledging Lush coins to the runners-up.

Lush competitions rock.

It’s so nice to come home from dental surgery (where I got actual dead people’s bones sewed into my jaw for a bone graft) and see I got on the podium. That was a special story for me. I am very honored to be a part of a REALLY good comp - at first I thought it was just me that the stories were all so good, but then everyone started mentioning it.

So before the pain meds kick in (okay, a little too late for that) let me give congrats to the other two excellent entries on the podium (hi Jai! hi SBB!) and to the stellar seven runners up, and to so many excellent stories that didn’t make the list (Dronette and CuriousAnnie and so many others). And to everyone who was brave enough to commit words to paper and let other people read them: congratulations.

ACTUAL DEAD PEOPLE’S BONES sewed into my jaw! Maybe those meds really are kicking in. The Tell Tale Tooth. Thanks to the mods for setting this thing up. I’m gonna eat a gummie and lie down now.

Quote by Ensorceled
ACTUAL DEAD PEOPLE’S BONES sewed into my jaw!

If you don't get a story out of this, the meds must have been too strong.😁

Congratulations to all, especially the podium and top ten. I didn't read as many as I hoped but enjoyed all the takes on the theme.

Quote by Seeker4

If you don't get a story out of this, the meds must have been too strong.😁

Congratulations to all, especially the podium and top ten. I didn't read as many as I hoped but enjoyed all the takes on the theme.

Agree! It needs a story!!! And I kinda think we’d all write some crazy-good shit on pain meds 🤣

Congratulations to the winners! What a wonderful competition and difficult job sorting through all the great stories. Enjoy your coins! 😎

Quote by Ensorceled

That was a special story for me.

It showed, and I'm thrilled for you! 😀 Congratulations, Verbs, SBB and finalists on your outstanding contributions! 🏆 There were so many quality entries as to make narrowing down the list an unenviable task.

Thank you, Jen, shortlisters, judges and those who came up with the inspiring theme! ❤️ Shout-out to Krystal and John, too!

Edited to add: THANK YOU to everyone who supported my effort with their likes, comments and favorites. You're the best!! 🤗🤗🤗

Quote by Ensorceled

It’s so nice to come home from dental surgery (where I got actual dead people’s bones sewed into my jaw for a bone graft) and see I got on the podium.

Yikes! Hope the good news speeds your healing!

Quote by Ensorceled
ACTUAL DEAD PEOPLE’S BONES sewed into my jaw!

Quote by Seeker4
If you don't get a story out of this, the meds must have been too strong.😁

I fully support what Seeker4 said. I think we all would like a story about this.

Congratulations to Ensorceled, Firstblush, and Starbelliedboy for taking the top three! Also, congratulations to those who rounded out the top ten.

I know it's been said a lot but it's true, there were some stellar stories in this comp. Everyone who entered should feel proud of your stories. Well done to all of you.

Unholy shit! My first podium spot! And I almost didn't enter my story due to liking some of what I had to cut out so much.

Congratulations to the other two, and also the rest of the top ten - because I don't read other entries until I've submitted mine and entered just before the deadline, there are four there that I've yet to get to, but I will. I have read plenty that aren't listed there but were excellent nonetheless, so as others have said, well done to all who entered.

Also:

Quote by Ensorceled
ACTUAL DEAD PEOPLE’S BONES sewed into my jaw!

Quote by Seeker4
If you don't get a story out of this, the meds must have been too strong.😁

Quote by KimmiBeGood
Agree! It needs a story!!!

Quote by MollyDoll
I fully support what Seeker4 said. I think we all would like a story about this.

Yes, yes, yes - I'm imagining something like that movie, The Eye, but with more oral sex.

Congratulations to the winners and all the finalists.

Quote by StarBelliedBoy

Yes, yes, yes - I'm imagining something like that movie, The Eye, but with more oral sex.

I like where your mind went far better than where mine went. I was thinking of the tooth monster from the TV show Channel Zero. shuddering* If you don't know it, look it up.

Congratulations to the podium-makers and remaining top 10. Didn't read as much stories as I should have, but I will try to read a few more.

Well done to the winners and runners up, an excellent bunch of writing!

Congratulations Jeff, FB, and SBB on your podium spots and of course the rest of the too ten. Jeff I absolutely loved your story. I'm happy for your win. Congratulations again. Also I didn't get to read as many as I wanted but the ones I did read were great. Thank you to all who entered. I enjoyed this theme and will be looking forward to the next comp.

A huge congratulations to those on the podium and everyone that entered this competition.

But, what am I doing here!! 🤔

I feel really honoured to be sitting amongst giants, so a huge thank you to everyone that read Angela's Art Day and especially those that thought it worthy of being here.

Thank you 😁

Quote by StarBelliedBoy

Yes, yes, yes - I'm imagining something like that movie, The Eye, but with more oral sex.

Call it Seventh Sense....

Start it off by having a young boy looking innocently at the camera saying.....

"I chew dead people."

🤣

Congratulations to all the participants.

I told you, 'It Pays To Advertise', Jeff.💅

1. Tintinnabulation by  Ensorceled

Quote by Ensorceled

Oi!!! You got first place!!!

YAY!!! clappy hands

Congratulations to everyone who made the top ten and the podium. All are highly deserving. I think this may be the first competition in which I've read every single entry, and that heightened the fun of it for me.

And special congratulations to Ensorceled. Fantastic story.

Quote by Ensorceled

ACTUAL DEAD PEOPLE’S BONES sewed into my jaw! Maybe those meds really are kicking in. The Tell Tale Tooth. Thanks to the mods for setting this thing up. I’m gonna eat a gummie and lie down now.

Ensorceled Allen Poe!

Woohoo! Well done Jeff, and congratulations to everyone who made the top 10 🥳

Each contest and contestant confirms there are still skilled storytellers on Lush, not just compilers of sexual events with no creative theme. Keep the faith and congratulations!