Thank you everyone for your support and enthusiasm for Born of Shadow.

I'm happy to announce we are kicking off the Born of Shadow Fanfiction contest! To enter, comment on this chapter that you would like to submit a fanfic. Below are the rules, prizes, dates & deadlines.

---Rules---

 1)  Write your fanfic: If you are interested, write a story featuring one or more characters from "Born of Shadow" (animals like Galileo and Samuel's ferret, and even shadow creatures are totally up for grabs). I'm secretly hoping for a story where Galileo plays a starring role :) The story can take place in the same setting as the original or in an alternate universe. Please try to stay true to characters personalities. Your fanfic can be any length: anywhere from one chapter to as many chapters as you like. Quality is more important than number of words.

 2) Post it on Wattpad with the words "Born of Shadow Fanfic" in the title of your story. Please mention in the summary blurb that is it fanfiction of "Born of Shadow" by @SarahBensonBooks. Please give your story an appropriate rating.

 3) Once you've posted your fanfic, dedicate the first chapter to @SarahBensonBooks so I get a notification. I will add your story to my "Born of  Shadow Fanfic" reading list. Woot! If for any reason I miss the notification (or if Wattpad mysteriously eats it), please PM me or leave a message on my board letting me know you entered the contest. We want to make sure everyone can find your stories.

I am super excited to see what imaginative things you come up with! I  will vote on every chapter of every fanfic submission, but I will wait to leave comments until after the contest is closed on November 30 so I don't influence judging.

---Prizes---

Scarab Award: This prize goes to the most deserving entry. Criteria will include content (creative idea, interesting plot, well-portrayed characters) as well as presentation (writing style, grammar/spelling, etc.) The winner will be chosen by a panel of judges I will assemble.

Scarab Award winner will receive:

 1)    A signed "Born of Shadow" paperback in your choice of the Galileo, Scarab or Pyramid edition 
 2)    Follow from SarahBensonBooks (if I'm not already following)
 3)    Shout-out in Sarah's profile
 4)    Promotion via message broadcast to all of Sarah's followers
 5)    Placement in a special winners reading list
 6)    Comments by me on every chapter of your fanfic
 7)    A dedicated chapter at the end of "Born of Shadow," a featured book! As readers end "Born of Shadow," they'll find you! The chapter will announce your triumphant win and share the first chapter of your fanfic. I will also direct them to your profile and other works.

Reader's Choice Award: This prize goes to the story with the combination of the most reads, votes and comments by the end of day November 30th, so share away.

Reader's Choice Award winner will receive:

 1)    A signed "Born of Shadow" paperback in your choice of the Galileo, Scarab or Pyramid edition 
 2)    Follow from SarahBensonBooks (if I'm not already following)
 3)    Shout-out in Sarah's profile
 4)    Promotion via message broadcast to all of Sarah's followers
 5)    Placement in a special winners reading list
 6)    Comments by me on every chapter of your fanfic
 7)    A dedicated chapter at the end of "Born of Shadow," a featured book! As readers end "Born of Shadow," they'll find you! The chapter will announce your triumphant win and share the first chapter of your fanfic. I will also direct them to your profile and other works.

The contest kicks off starting today. You have until end of day November 30th to complete your entry, but remember to let me know as soon as you post your fanfic so I can add you to our special reading list. The winners will be announced here in the The World of Born of Shadow fan book. If you have any questions, please post them below.

Good luck! I can't wait to see what you come up with :)