Wow, what a month! July saw so many contests and so many new projects popping up, that it almost seemed people were inspired by the season. One new project we'd like to draw your attention to is =LineCount. Just as we're dedicated to finding quality prose, =LineCount is dedicated to finding quality poetry. Head on over and have a look--and apply for a staff position while you're there!


And don't forget *WordCount's Avatar, ID, and Catchphrase contest! All entries are due by August 10, 2007. We're counting on YOU!


Speaking of being inspired, this month's collection bounces between humor and heartbreak and even the humor in heartbreak--and oh! so much more. Have a look, spread the love, and don't forget to leave those encouraging comments or criticisms on each featured piece.



100 words or less

Angel Boy by =Echoes-of-the-Dead

Fictional Perspectives: This may leave you a little uneasy and ill, but we think that's a good thing.


Rolling Stone by ~celeocanth

Fiction: In so few words, the abstract and concrete meet to create something beautiful.



101-300 words

How Coyote Lost an Eye by ~nota-lone

Children's: Adapted from Native American Folklore, this story is an interesting take on the creation of a constellation.


Powerlines by ~MaybeImMuchMore

Perspectives: We all have regrets and what-ifs. This piece shows how even the smallest mistakes affect us in the future--sometimes too powerfully.



301-500 words

The Bellyard by =smoking-mirrors

Philosophical: Inspired by childhood fables, this piece is fascinating and frightful--and well worth the read.


Capture the Flag by ~Lurifec

Erotic Fiction: This little piece stands out from the rest by making the reader feel less like a voyeur and more like a participant.



501-1,000 words

Kids Say the Darndest Things by ~SiEndGht

Humor: We'll let the title do all the talking!


Of Clowns and Poets by ~WhatDaveWrote

Scripts: A short, dynamic sketch that highlights the exchange between a clown and a poet. Is there a difference?



1,001-3,000 words

The Silver Cross - Prologue by ~Saya1450

Historical Fiction: Well-researched and impeccably written, this is does justice to its history while becoming a believable story all on its own.


Dear Diary by ~happygoatguy

Humor: This text may seem long to look at, but wow does it move fast! Funny and unusual, the form really compliments the ideas.



3,001-5,000 words

Painkiller by ~laurierae

Romantic Fiction: Honest and heartfelt without being sappy, this piece reminds us how love sometimes changes our minds.


Towed PaK of WWII by ~PavelKirilovich

Journalistic Essay: Educational and well-researched, while being entirely readable, this piece shows what informed writing is really all about.



5,001+ words

The Greenery by ~Atagamay

Science Fiction: Meaningful on many levels, this post-nuclear war story is an enjoyable, believable read.



Publishing Tutorials

Instead of featuring a published work from one of dA's Greats, we've decided to feature two helpful tutorials by the amazing *mree. Each of these are worth a read for anyone who is serious about publishing fiction.


Getting Published: A Tutorial for Novelists



How to Get a Literary Agent



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For additional features, please be sure to check out the *WordCount journal. We promise you won't be disappointed.

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July's Prose DDs Suggested by *WordCount Staff

This month the *WordCount staff suggested several prose DDs, and we'd just like to recognize those writers one more time:

Blagged by =ebony66136 (451 words)
2669-B by ~Dibujando (599 words)
Addicted to Self-Righteousness by =darkdescartes (651 words)
Cigarettes, Lust by ~finger-trap (755 words)
Harry and Me by ~ThornyEnglishRose (1,838 words)

And here's a few we didn't actually suggest but that we featured previously:

An Hour Ago She Was Naked by ~skybluegoodbyes (100 words)
Shame by ~q365 (250 words)

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We Don't Mean to Brag, But--.

Our staff went above and beyond this month for the dA Literature community. So, instead of featuring just one member, we'd like to feature all those recognized outside of *WordCount for their own literary merits and accomplishments.

To start, *WordCount would like to congratulate *wordworks on being promoted to an administrator and receiving a Daily Deviation all in one week!

Arthur Is Dead (509 words)

Next, several of our staff members won competitions around dA, and we'd like to extend our admiration to their diligence and inspiring pieces:

*lefttowrite won ~Soundzine's Gender Bender Monologues competition with her humorous take on the male mind.

Surviving Her (1,215 words)

The Gender Bender Monologue competition was very kind to our staff. Two other staff members received honorable mentions for their entries.

I'm a Sports Addict. by *cut-devil4 (1,044 words)
They Were Women Then by `GeneratingHype (1,112 words)

In keeping with an awesome, winning theme, *Iscariot-Priest just won the High Pressure Sandwich contest!

Roses, spring and bad coffee (1,010 words)

We're not done! `GeneratingHype also won *suture's Drabble Contest.

Six. (100 words)

We're more than just contest winners, though! *BerylAlexandros was the subject of a wonderful interview for being one of dA's "undiscovered" artists. Make sure you don't miss it! Speaking of interviews, `GeneratingHype was also the subject of a short one. Read up on it here.


Once again, *WordCount would like to extend a warm and heartfelt congratulations to our staff. We're so proud of all of you!


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<sub>For more information about *WordCount, be sure to check out the following links:

Categories Explained
Frequently Asked Questions
Staff Requirements and Application
WordCount Feature Archive
Make a Prose Suggestion</sub>

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This month's article included features suggested by:









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