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I was mooching around the bookstore with my daughter when I read the dedication in Onyx Storm, and it immediately brought to mind my eleven-year-old self – pink, NHS framed glasses, front teeth that I still had to grow into, and a passion for escaping into some book or other, looking for adventure. I posted the dedication as the monthly comp in the hope that it would connect with some of you the way it connected with me.

Be honest now, if someone had said, ‘Get your leathers. We have dragons to ride.’ would you have gone?

@Sandra – I know that fantasy isn’t really your thing, so I was surprised and delighted by your entry.   Wimps, Warrior scripts, eyes the flame of conflict, and an enhanced dragon-breeding programme. Ooh, yes, please! Curious to know more about the history between Frey and your MC and where they go from here.

@ Terrie – Excited by this and would love to see more of it! ‘…forgetful little fire-snout…’ sold it to me, along with the setting, solid characterization, and the promise to come. I really hope this develops into something amazing.

@Knicks – your writing is so intense, so full of wonderful expression, I can feel the roar into the void. I am both motivated by it and reminded that I must dig deeper. And what a line to finish with.

@Athelstone – I commend you for taking something as simple as ‘Katherine is typing…’ to the dizzying heights of a call to adventure. In Bolivia, no less. I suspect JohnG91 is going to have a lot more to talk about than grasping nettles when he gets back from the Tiwanaku city.

@Libby – Not daft or murderous at all. I’m keen to try it for myself! Maybe it’s something to put forward for the Den as a whole, (a bit of a challenge while we wait for Ath’s next winter comp, if you see what I mean…) Anyway, I’d never read The Big Sleep so had to check it out. I think you captured the complex simplicity (simple complexity?) beautifully.

@Janette – Your stories always have heart and this is no exception. I didn’t know there was such a thing as a Tylwith Teg, but I do now, and I wonder if there isn’t room for some Snuffle and Tylwith Teg adventures for young readers?

Thank you all for entering. Each of you brought something different to the ask and it’s been a tiny bit problematic trying to choose only one of you. In the end, I gave Sandra an extra point for stepping outside her comfort zone and, with more than a little relief, I pass the baton to her.