New Contest & a New Reviewer
- Amy Lynn McConahy
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Hello All! We have very exciting news for you! Our magazine will now be hosting a Junior Writing Contest called "The Paths We Walk" at the same time as our Windows Writing Contest. I soft-launched this contest on our website weeks ago, and I have already been contacted by teachers wanting to use the contest for their students. If you know of a school that you think we should add to our mailing list, message me via email with the information at info@cleanfictionmagazine.com. I have already been asked if there can be more than one author, and the answer is yes. I will be updating the form accordingly soon. I am excited to take this next step to foster the next generation of writers. Without further ado, read on for the contest information.
THE PATHS WE WALK JUNIOR WRITING CONTEST
Welcome to Clean Fiction Magazine’s “The Paths We Walk” Junior Writing Contest. If you are a young writer between the ages of 13 and 17 and have permission from your guardian to submit to a writing contest, continue reading for more information.
This brand new contest will accept submissions quarterly in the months of January, April, July, and October. Submissions and publication of winners are completely FREE.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
You are asked to write a micro-story beginning with “Along the path, I saw...” using the image above as inspiration. The only restriction on your creativity is that you keep your micro-story clean. All genres are accepted. Submissions will be accepted January 1-31.
Please keep your submission between 500 and 1,000 words. To submit your story, fill out the “Submit to the Paths Contest” form found below. If you do not want your full name announced, please note that on the form.
The winners will appear in our March 20th Spring Edition, along with the image on this page. Depending on the number of submissions we receive, there will be either winners in several genre categories OR an overall winner. Winner/s will be announced on February 5th. Each winner or the overall winner will receive a $20 Amazon gift card, a printable winner’s certificate, a 3D-printed “medallion”, a digital medallion, and an author feature (if this information is approved by the minor's guardian).* We will not use your micro-stories without your permission, and the winner/s will be sent pages for approval. The winners will be decided by the Clean Fiction staff, and excerpts of each submission may be used for promotional purposes. We cannot wait to read what you write about this new image!
More Contest Information: https://www.sunsetvalleycreations.com/contest
Submit to the Paths Contest: https://forms.wix.com/f/7391617175238213780
This contest does not yet have a sponsor. To be a sponsor, fill out this FORM.
* Prizes will not be distributed until after the magazine goes to print. Medallions are only shipped in the continental United States.
NEW REVIEWER: We are pleased to announce that we have added a new reviewer to our team, Cheryl Gress, and Christ Centered Gamer is partnering with us as our Video Game Reviewer. Christ Centered Gamer was started in 2000 by Cheryl and Jason Gress and was originally called Christian Computer Game Reviews. To read the full story of their organization, pick up a copy of the Winter Edition 2025. Learn more about Cheryl and Christ Centered Gamer by following the links below. Also, we did receive several submissions for our Contemporary and Historical Reviewer positions. Thank you for your quick response. We should be able to fill both positions in the coming weeks.
Cheryl Gress (Christ Centered Gamer)
Video Game Reviewer
Discord: ccgr
X: divinegames
Patreon: ccgr
YouTube: ccgr
President and Co-founder of Christ Centered Gamer. IT support during the day, raising chickens, ducks and bees when not writing reviews.
I would like to use this week to talk about Endearing Mashups. Using playful nicknames and banter is a great way to gain a giggle from your reader. Sometimes readers are looking for lighthearted silliness to brighten their day, and Endearing Mashups can help to build relationships between characters, either as lovers or friends, in a way that is more believable in a modern setting. I know with my own friends, there tends to be a whole litany of inside jokes and double meanings for words that draw us closer with humor and shared memories. Below, I have included some fun Endearing Mashups or silly phrases that I have collected over the years or made up myself to add a little silliness to my day. I have also included a list of exclamations that I regularly use in lieu of cursing. Feel free to use anything below that you might find useful. My Endearing Mashups tend toward food mostly, but yours could be anything at all that your characters are interested in.
Positive Endearments/Exclamations
Salt and Winnegar
Brotato Pancakes
Brotato Chip
Bravocado
Broccoli Bite
Borange
Brotastic
Butterful
Friends Toast
Maple Sheryp
Shenut Butter
Shenut Butter Toast
Chetzel
Cheddar Puff Pastry
Shnoodle Soup
Snuggle Nugget
Fanta-Hero
Shiny, Glitter, Sparkle!
Hearts, Stars, and Horseshoes!
Shut the front door and lock the back!
Negative Endearments/Exclamations
Shynonuggie
Shynosaur
Sheezle
Sheeple
Shenut Butter Be Jelly
Sassafras
Zor-Zero the Anti-Hero
Whinese
Bronato
Brozella
Brodzella
Cinderfella
Snow Bro
Jaz-mean
Sad-lad
Brisket!
Parsnip!
Nugget!
Nutbunnies!
Cooked Carrots!
This Story Fodder is about Endearing Mashups. Do you feel inspired to make some mashups of your own? If so, let me know via email or in the comments.
May your day be bright and your reading be epic!
~ Amy Lynn McConahy, Clean Fiction Publisher
REMINDER: We cannot continue to publish our magazine without your help! Please consider either becoming an advertiser, supporting Clean Fiction on Patreon, or directly supporting us with a Yearly Subscription (for as little as $10/year!).
Our Advertising Deadline is November 15th for the Winter Edition 2025.
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