I need to hear that I'm not the only one with the following problem.

Please consider using my "Terry Awards" as a reference for stories. The awards include links to all of the listed stories so you can refresh your memory. You can find a link to the awards on the author's page for Terry Volkirch (that's me!) or just try the link below.

Here's the link to my awards page:

http://bigclosetr.us/topshelf/book/14606/terry-awards

- Terry

Are readers afraid of my story because I label it as horror? It really is mild horror, and it's only really at the beginning of the story. I should add the "Sweet/Sentimental" story tag because it's made a few readers cry.

There is no violence or gore in my story. It's just a little scary with a ghost visit at the beginning. I wish more people would give it a chance.

- Terry

I have to wonder if the Universe hasn't played an April Fool's Day prank on me today. See if you don't agree.

I created the Terry Awards to celebrate past stories. Older stories are too easily forgotten once they move on to the archives (back pages) and I think that's a terrible fate.

This batch of awards is for serials and solos only. Terry Awards for complete stories that have been posted in multiple parts will be included later in the year.

I just finished working on the Terry Awards. Yay!

I've spent many, many hours on this but I'm a little disappointed that I didn't have time to go through all of the stories. I'll be covering stories that have been posted in multiple parts later in the year -- when I have more time.

As I was sorting through vote totals, I was surprised to see how high they were. For the best real world serials, every one of the six entries had over 100 votes! 2009 has been a good year, not only for quantity but for getting the vote out.

2009 Terry Awards - Solos of Unspecified Length

This list is rather long. I wonder if it wouldn't be a good idea to require a story length when submitting a story. I'd like to suggest the following list: Serial, Drabble, Short Short, Short Story, Novelette, Novella, Novel, and Verse. Any more than this makes things too complicated and confusing.

Authors, please let me know the length of all solo stories in the list below. I don't have the time to download stories, strip out any HTML and load them into my word processor for a word count. Also, let me know if you'd rather your story not be considered for an award.

NOTE: Looking at the list, I see Andrea DiMaggio's name listed many times. I know she's posted a lot of verses so many of the "stories" listed here are actually verses and not stories.

2009 Terry Awards - Preliminary Novels

Here's my preliminary list of novels according to the Solo pages.

There may be several novels that are missing from this list. I know several have been posted in multiple parts. Stories posted in multiple parts will be included later in the year.

Authors, please check to see that your novel is included here if it's posted as a solo. Some might be missing. Also, let me know if you'd rather your novel not be considered for an award.

2009 Terry Awards - Preliminary Novellas

Here's my preliminary list of novellas according to the Solo pages.

There may be several novellas that are missing from this list. I know many have been posted in multiple parts. Stories posted in multiple parts will be included later in the year.

Authors, please check to see that your novella is included here if it's posted as a solo. Some might be missing. Also, let me know if you'd rather your novella not be considered for an award.

2009 Terry Awards - Preliminary Novelettes

Here's my preliminary list of novelettes according to the Solo pages.

There may be several novelettes that are missing from this list. I know several have been posted in multiple parts. Stories posted in multiple parts will be included later in the year.

Authors, please check to see that your novelette is included here if it's posted as a solo. Some might be missing. Also, let me know if you'd rather your novelette not be considered for an award.

2009 Terry Awards - Preliminary Short Stories

Here's my preliminary list of short stories according to the Solo pages.

Again, I can't imagine having a short story posted in multiple parts so this should be a complete list of short stories.

Authors, please check to see that your short story is included here. Some might be missing. Also, let me know if you'd rather your short story not be considered for an award.

2009 Terry Awards - Preliminary Short Shorts

Here's my preliminary list of short shorts according to the Solo pages.

I can't imagine having a short short posted in multiple parts so this should be a complete list of short shorts.

Authors, please check to see that your short short is included here. Some might be missing. Also, let me know if you'd rather your short short not be considered for an award.

2009 Terry Awards - Preliminary Serials List

Hiya! It's me again, and it's time to make some serious progress on the 2009 Terry Awards.

Hi, everyone!

It's time to start the 2009 Terry Awards. Actually, I'm a little late starting them but the first half of January has been very eventful. I'll be progressing slowly too, because I'm very busy these days.

The 2007 Terry Awards - Final Story List

I created the Terry Awards to celebrate past stories. Older stories are too easily forgotten once they move on to the archives (back pages) and I thought that was a terrible fate.

Here's a list of the novels for 2007.

Authors, please check the list and let me know if there are any mistakes that I need to correct. Thanks!

Here's a list of the novellas for 2007.

Authors, please check the list and let me know if there are any mistakes that I need to correct. Thanks!

Here's a list of the novelettes for 2007.

Authors, please check the list and let me know if there are any mistakes that I need to correct. Thanks!

Here's a list of the short stories for 2007.

Authors, please check the list and let me know if there are any mistakes that I need to correct. Thanks!

Here's a list of the short shorts for 2007.

Authors, please check the list and let me know if there are any mistakes that I need to correct. Thanks!

Yes, you read it right. I'm going back in time for some retro awards. Erin gave me the idea and I liked it so I'm doing it.

I've gathered most if not all of the stories and serials from 2007. I'll be posting links to them all starting with the serials in this blog.

I didn't want to clutter up the front page with a mediocre story so I replaced part 1 with the whole story.

- Terry

Over the past several months, I've been going over how Big Closet operates. I've had a couple meltdowns over it and now I've come to a conclusion.

*** VAGUE SPOILER FOR THE MOVIE ***

I got a heavy dose of reality not long ago, and it cured me of my obsession with the hit counts for my stories.

I found a nursery rhyme that has a foolproof test to see if you should be a man or a woman! Here it is!

Hey! It's me again. I'm here to talk about ending stories.

For the past 2 1/2 hours, I've been a cheerleader! Woo hoo!!

I got a cheerleader simulation video game and it is like so much fun! Go team!! :)

Voting for the 2008 Terry Awards has ended.

This contest didn't work out for selecting individual winners but there will be future nominations for Best Story Lists. Keep an eye out for them. You never know when they'll pop up.