Alicia

I've been hitting my ONC reading list hard over the last few days, and I'm finally making some headway. 
          
          What are some of the standout stories that you intend to read "cover to cover?"
          
          I certainly have one that's been floating to the top. Have you checked out "Something Wicked" by @RJGlynn yet? You should!
          
          https://www.wattpad.com/story/389501915-something-wicked
          
          It's for "Harry Potter" fans who wouldn't mind an adult upgrade. The wizarding details are there, and they're impressive, but you also get romance that sizzles, horror that haunts, and high-stakes action that is expertly woven in. "Painfully normal" meets "spine-tinglingly 'other.'" Bell is the female protagonist/love interest who is the perfect example of what "strong female" should look like. She is smart, bada$$, and talented, despite the constraints put on her, but she also has a loyal, empathetic, vulnerable side. It's not for everyone, but it IS for Aden, her childhood frenemy, who has a likable "fratty" side and a dark magical core that he can't quite keep under wraps. I think this sums it up pretty well: "There are feelings, there are orders, and it's a big mess, especially in light of what's coming for them." 
          
          Cool stuff. Never disappoints. Could be the "dark horse" that eventually gets the "wow" it deserves.
          
          In other ONC news, I worked for about six-straight hours on my new "Vale" cover yesterday. It's been a real struggle trying to capture my plot in one image or even a few. Eventually I did come up with something I "kind of" like better than my original. If you're in the area and have an opinion, let me know what you think!
          
          Also worth mentioning while I'm here to bother you, I did an interview with the Mystery profile last month in regard to last year's ONC story, "Where It Ends."
          
          You can read it there: https://www.wattpad.com/story/393082977-book-of-the-month-standout-mysteries
          
          Or at the back of WIE: https://www.wattpad.com/story/361846251-where-it-ends
          
          Have a great weekend,
          Alicia

@Fairytale_Fabler Aww thanks. I have yours in my list so I'm hoping to start it over the weekend. 

Woo hoo! I just entered ONC round 3 with thirteen hours to spare! Check out the new Chapter 11 and read the "Wrap-up" if you have any questions.
          
          https://www.wattpad.com/story/389375075-life-is-but-a-vale-of-tears-onc2025
          
          What now?
          
          Well, it's still a rather long to-do list. . .
          
          1) Sleep
          2) Socialize
          3) Confirm I'm not a "Vampyre" and step into the sun again
          4) Do something good for myself, like eat right and exercise for the first time in forever
          5) Read other entries
          6) Make a few more ONC recommendations
          7) Keep writing for the Wattys. This concept was always too large in scope to be a novella anyway. I should have known (but never do, and never learn). . .
          
          Good luck in your final ONC hours, everyone! I hope to see you all on the other side of this. The fun has just begun, right?

Congratulations on getting the book of the month!! 

Hello author,
          We would like to feature your story "Where It Ends" for our Mystery profile's Book of the Month for April.
          
          If you're interested in getting featured, please fill the below form and submit it to us by 25th of April.
          https://forms.gle/VMzdcrWTSY1jBF2b8
          
          Thank you! 
          Mystery team.

The writing gods were kind this week, and I managed to get out two updates. And that means it's time for another recommendation! 
          
          This shoutout goes to @Spelunkadunk and "Windsor Lane." It's a conversation starter, for sure. Sometimes I struggle to say smart things (shocking!), and when I do, it takes "work." That's not the case with "Windsor Lane." You could read it as a fairly straightforward lesbian romance OR you can dig deeper. It's satirical. It takes place in the 80's, but we're constantly reminded that things haven't changed all that much. There's the "keeping up with the Joneses" nonsense. There are stringent double standards, gender stereotypes, marriage and religion stereotypes, and the annoyingly conventional people who uphold them quite passive-aggressively. 
          
          Scarlett, of course, breaks the mold. She "oozes hotness" and "changes the game."  And "there's a little Rosie in all of us. Someone who seeks something outside the box, something others would judge you for. Seems like a small price to pay if you've found what you're looking for. . ." 
          
          This one HITS, people. It's timely, relevant, and personal. If you're feeling a little "Rosie," seek out a "Scarlett." Enjoy your life and lead by example.  
          
          https://www.wattpad.com/story/389395798-windsor-lane-onc-2025
          
          What is everyone else reading this week? Any hidden gems? Trendy things that are popular for a reason?
          
          In yesterday's "Vale" update, there's a little closure and a little action before we change modes a bit. The outcome may be as expected, but at least Liv gave it an honest try, and the blood on her dress isn't her own. . . 
          
          Have a great weekend,
          Alicia

As #onc2025 Round 2 winds down, I'd like to check in, see how everyone is doing, and offer up another shoutout. 
          
          I'd like to congratulate Round 1 Winner, @AnnSepino , and her tale, "Astray." In a colorful, culturally rich setting, Mila gets trapped inside a dark, magical underworld  and inadvertently drags her enemies-to-lovers, opposites-attract companion with her. They face genuine, well-researched mythological challenges and come to terms with the various forms of evil they've encountered, and will encounter again on their long trek home. . .  
          
          https://www.wattpad.com/story/390416421-astray
          
          In "Life is but a Vale of Tears," a few readers have expressed an interest in Liv's and Greyson's backstory. It was on the long to-do list, and I always intended to go there. It IS important for Liv's character development and current mental state. Now that it's all said and done, and available for your viewing (dis)pleasure, let's just say I did NOT hold back. Could be triggering and reader's discretion and all that. With pain comes growth, and I think I can safely say she's past the point of no return. As bad as things are, the worst is behind her. Check it out (Chapter 6), let me know. And have a great week!

This week's #onc2025 shoutout goes to @addison_sweet ! This decorated Wattpadian has done it again. "Glimmers in the Dark" is fantasy just the way I like it--dark, gritty, and the world is exquisitely built. The strong female protagonist is knowledgable and appropriately skeptical and jaded as a result of the choices that have been made FOR her. Forming an unlikely alliance with a Daemon, they are about to commit a crime against humanity that they aptly deserve.  
          
          https://www.wattpad.com/story/390330874-glimmers-in-the-dark
          
          I somehow managed to cross the 8000-word milestone on "Life is but a Vale of Tears" on Friday. Liv has probably had the worst night of her existence, and that's saying something. She's been through more than her fair share of war and heartbreak. Check out Chapter 4 for all the latest.
          
          How is everyone else faring? Are you looking forward to Round 2? Got any early winner predictions of your own? Let me know!
          
          Have a great week,
          Alicia

Do you have any early #onc2025 favorites? Can you believe how many entries there are? Good luck, everyone!
          
          I'm really enjoying "The Jester and The Queen" by @philouwrites , a 2024 Honorably Mentioned writer. She proves that if you pick one prompt and wear it like a crown, there's really no need to bother with any others. The tale is "reminiscent of the Tudors" and the disgraced queen/court jester matchup is "unexpected and strangely hot." If you like historically inspired fiction with romance, humor, and some thought-provoking timelessness (that gosh darn council of weak men!!!), then this one's for you.
          
          https://www.wattpad.com/story/389217944-the-jester-and-the-queen-onc2025
          
          "Life is but a Vale of Tears" was also updated over the weekend, and so was the "World-building Cheat Sheet" (last chapter). If Chapter 1 was "warm" on the trouble scale, by the end of Chapter 3, it's a greasy, boiled-over mess! Liv knew she had mistakes to face, but she didn't expect them to pack such a mean punch. . . 
          
          Thanks for checking in,
          All the best,
          Alicia

For all of you ONC readers/writers out there, "Life is but a Vale of Tears" has its telling and tumultuous Chapter 2. 
          
          With every update, I'd also like to highlight an ONC story/participant that is truly worthy of praise in all ways. When I read prompt 105, I immediately thought @Wuckster . He not only picked it, he dominated it in a way that only HE could. 
          
          In the first chapter of "Unbridled Fury (and Relentlessly Furry)," his action-writing is "enviable" and the last line is absolutely "iconic." If you're looking for a fun, engaging style, and a charming, attentive host, then swing on over! You won't be disappointed. :)   
           
          https://www.wattpad.com/story/389198684-unbridled-fury-and-relentlessly-furry-onc-2025