DARK AND STORMY NIGHT FEATURING TALKING UNICORNS CATEGORY

It was a dark and stormy night (for it is in my imagination that our story takes place), perfect conditions for talking unicorns to meet casually under the flickering streetlights, sip from flagons of steaming mead, and gossip about the ones who weren't there. — Pam Williams

ROAD RAGE INCIDENT POSSIBLY INVOLVING A TALKING UNICORN CATEGORY

In the aftermath of the accident, no one could be quite sure what a bear had been doing in the middle of the highway, why it seemed to have been gored through the forehead with a long pointy something, what it had been chasing, or why the driver hadn't seen it while he was coming down the road — but these things happen. — Chris Bleggi

NO TALKING UNICORNS IN THIS ONE CATEGORY

Her nails were thick and curved like bear claws, but that's probably just because she was a bear. — Emma Daybell

The traffic on the freeway was backed up for six miles as a result of a flock of alligators who were slowly migrating north. — Rick Walton

HIGH ADVENTURE (OR NOT) CATEGORY

Destiny was calling him, but, after checking the caller ID, Dan decided not to answer because, frankly, she was beginning to get on his nerves. — Heidi Gordon

This is it! she thought, steeling herself; though, as it turned out, it wasn't it after all. — Heidi Gordon

The smell transported Jack back to the mountain peak at sunrise where, after five days of grueling terrain, bad food, the skunk incident, and no shower, he finally decided to change those lucky socks. — April Day

SCIENCE FICTION CATEGORY

Tad couldn't help but notice how his true love's face looked more silvery gray than green in the moonlight reflecting off the spaceship, and he had to admit that maybe his mother was right about them being worlds apart. — Penny Bowler

BEST SENTENCE CHANNELING JANE AUSTEN CATEGORY