chaikovskiy

so i did not make it to round three of the 2026 open novella contest, but here is a quick list of pros and cons for that
          	
          	pros:
          	- i will be expanding "the bells of ryazan" to qualify and complete in the wattys!
          	- as a result, you get more "bells" chapters, including this week's, titlted "bargaining," which you can find here: https://www.wattpad.com/1623750239-the-bells-of-ryazan-onc-2026-xiii-bargaining.
          	
          	cons:
          	- disqualified from the 2026 onc for being more than 40,000 words
          	- potential struggle writing/expanding the story to be a novel
          	- new watty's deadline in july
          	
          	that's all for now! don't be afraid to let me know how your onc experienced ended up this year. i would love to catch up and chat. and good luck to all the students out there who are entering exam periods and or job searching! we've got this <3
          	
          	take care + happy reading and writing!
          	-  elle ♡♡

DauntlessShadowIce

I see. I’m trying to do that as well, but I’ve never finished something over 20k before, so I’m really just hoping I’ll hit 40k before submission closes
Contestar

chaikovskiy

@DauntlessShadowIce, hi! i agree totally, yes. i do not know about other oncers, but i am hoping to be able try to expand "bells" to proper novel length... like 60,000+ words?
Contestar

DauntlessShadowIce

they did lower the minimum word count to be 40k, so hopefully that works more in the favour of you and other people in your situation
Contestar

chaikovskiy

so i did not make it to round three of the 2026 open novella contest, but here is a quick list of pros and cons for that
          
          pros:
          - i will be expanding "the bells of ryazan" to qualify and complete in the wattys!
          - as a result, you get more "bells" chapters, including this week's, titlted "bargaining," which you can find here: https://www.wattpad.com/1623750239-the-bells-of-ryazan-onc-2026-xiii-bargaining.
          
          cons:
          - disqualified from the 2026 onc for being more than 40,000 words
          - potential struggle writing/expanding the story to be a novel
          - new watty's deadline in july
          
          that's all for now! don't be afraid to let me know how your onc experienced ended up this year. i would love to catch up and chat. and good luck to all the students out there who are entering exam periods and or job searching! we've got this <3
          
          take care + happy reading and writing!
          -  elle ♡♡

DauntlessShadowIce

I see. I’m trying to do that as well, but I’ve never finished something over 20k before, so I’m really just hoping I’ll hit 40k before submission closes
Contestar

chaikovskiy

@DauntlessShadowIce, hi! i agree totally, yes. i do not know about other oncers, but i am hoping to be able try to expand "bells" to proper novel length... like 60,000+ words?
Contestar

DauntlessShadowIce

they did lower the minimum word count to be 40k, so hopefully that works more in the favour of you and other people in your situation
Contestar

chaikovskiy

so the newest chapter of "THE BELLS OF RYAZAN," titled "because of our sins," is published and, well, you just might kill me for the transgressions i've committed against your favorite characters... 
          
          before reading please also be sure to check out the content warning in the in-line comment at the start of chapter! the content is quite intense because it depicts the historical horrors of the siege of ryazan and some unsettling themes. that being said, you can find and read the update here: https://www.wattpad.com/1622295403-the-bells-of-ryazan-onc-2026-xii-because-of-our.
          
          take care + happy reading and writing!
          -  elle ♡♡

chaikovskiy

the newest update to "THE BELLS OF RYAZAN" is... bloody, to say the least. the battle of ryazan has begun, but first our dear yanay must pay a visit in the living realm to our favorite tatar captive, yalavech. find and read it here: https://www.wattpad.com/1620373018-the-bells-of-ryazan-onc-2026-xi-the-passion-of.
          
          also only fifteen more days until the onc is over and like i'm lowkey panicking?? for the first time ever, i think my entry is going to be over word count! i guess this is just an opportunity to expand and enter "BELLS" into the wattys... but we'll see!
          
          take care + happy reading and writing,
          -  elle ♡♡

_marmoris_

@chaikovskiy it would definitely deserve the wattys ...
Contestar

chaikovskiy

this is your official invitation to the wedding ryazan has been waiting for during the last nine chapters...
          
          the newest update to "THE BELLS OF RYAZAN" features everything from the rites to the feast to tender conversations by firelight come evening. you won't want to miss this chapter and you can find and read it here: https://www.wattpad.com/1619456553-the-bells-of-ryazan-onc-2026-x-bound.
          
          take care + happy reading and writing,
          -  elle ♡♡

Chaoskuss

@chaikovskiy  Help, the blurb reads like the start of a Netflix series about rich people wedding drama xD
Contestar

chaikovskiy

if you like any of the following things in your chapters:
          - heartfelt prose that is sung instead of spoken
          - feminine rage
          - brothers who cannot decide whether they want to kill or slap one another
          - + some political scheming 
          
          then the newest chapter of "THE BELLS OF RYAZAN" may be for you! you can find and read it here: https://www.wattpad.com/1616582462-the-bells-of-ryazan-onc-2026-ix-the-fate-of-all.
          
          also it looks like "BELLS" might end up over the open novella contest word count...  so wattys entry coming soon, perhaps? i have until the april to figure it out, and i will be sure to let you know. until then, take care + happy reading and writing.
          
          best,
          -  elle ♡♡

chaikovskiy

as promised, the newest update of "THE BELLS OF RYAZAN" is here! the chaos continues, and the chapter title, "martyrs," suggest as such...
          
          the cliff-hanger with foma from last chapter is resolved and some pretty intense consequences follow—be sure to check the content warning at the top of the chapter if need be! you can find out what happens by reading here: https://www.wattpad.com/1616365901-the-bells-of-ryazan-onc-2026-viii-martyrs.
          
          take care,
          -  elle ♡♡

chaikovskiy

let me just warn you all now that the next three chapters of "THE BELLS OF RYAZAN" are going to be a bit brutal...
          
          to kick off the chaos i have published the newest chapter, titled "batu the barbarian," in which prince yuriy's envoy and our favorite fanatic priest father aleksei go to meet the tatar khan himself! find out what happens by reading it here: https://www.wattpad.com/1615734098-the-bells-of-ryazan-onc-2026-vii-batu-the.
          
          happy reading + happy writing!
          -  elle ♡♡

chaikovskiy

@Disgrace_the_Gods and i now know i have something to look forward too! good luck with all your studying and exams—you’ve got this! 
Contestar

Disgrace_the_Gods

I know what I’ll be doing after my exams are done and dealt with! 
Contestar

chaikovskiy

"THE BELLS OF RYAZAN" has been submitted to the open novella contest round two! to celebrate, i have published a new chapter, titled "the wall." there is yet another tender scene between yanay and prince oleg... but it is not without its tensions, of course. find out what happens and read all about it here: https://www.wattpad.com/1614872440-the-bells-of-ryazan-onc-2026-vi-the-wall.
          
          take care,
          -  elle ♡♡

Chaoskuss

@chaikovskiy  we should totally make an Instagram group chat! 
Contestar

chaikovskiy

@Chaoskuss hmmm yes the old wattpad can be quite glitchy… let me unpublish and republish real quick. 
            
            also—you and masha have discord or instagram? we should make a chat lowkey. 
Contestar

Chaoskuss

@chaikovskiy  we are feasting well tonight . But lowkey, Wattpad hates you because I (and I think Mascha, too) have not gotten a single upload- notification 
Contestar

chaikovskiy

hello hello! i am testing out wattpad's scheduled publish function, so keep an eye out for a new chapter of "THE BELLS OF RYAZAN" within the next few hours! there are some fun scenes between duos you haven't seen yet, including father aleksei and the grand prince and also our beloved yanay and—well, you will just have to read to find out! ✨
          
           until next time,
           - elle ♡♡

chaikovskiy

i'm celebrating "THE BELLS of RYAZAN" qualifying for round two of the open novella contest a little late with a new chapter! this one features a fiery confrontation between yanay and father aleksei, some casual icon destruction, and the arrival of a new prince you won't want to miss! read it here: https://www.wattpad.com/1613385652-the-bells-of-ryazan-onc-2026-iv-revelations.
          
          speaking of qualifying for the onc, over 1,700 stories (!!!) are moving onto round two! way to go, writers! that is quite feat and some surely steep competition for this year's participants. all the best as we move into round two and, as always, happy reading + writing. ✨
          
           take care,
           - elle ♡♡