You may recall that way back in August/September—yes, I know, I can barely remember either!—I ran a “Fun With Thornspell” feature here on the blog.

Here’s how it worked: over the course of several weeks I asked readers to tell me the Thornspell character they would most like to have a standalone short story written for, or about—as well as why, based on that character’s exploits in the Thornspell novel.

And because I did not want to be the one to have to choose, I also asked three judges to decide which character, from among the suggestions you put forward, I would get to write a short story about—to be published here on the blog with a dedication to the selected commenter.

Just to remind you, the three judges were:

Beth

Beth Miller: Beth Miller works at Writers House Literary Agency in New York, where she is the assistant to my agent, Robin Rue—and as such was amongst the first people ‘out there’ to read and love Thornspell. She is also a writer in her own right; her first novel, Into the Scottish Mist, was published by Wild Rose Press in 2010 and you can read my interview with her here.

Fitz

Peter Fitzpatrick (Fitz): Fitz was another early reader of Thornspell and has been an integral part of my writing journey since he has designed both my Helen Lowe and Thornspell websites, as well as designing the map for The Wall of Night series—for which he was nominated for a Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best Professional Artwork earlier in the year.

Sharon

Sharon Stogner: Sharon is an avid reader, follower of a number of blogs such as the Supernatural Underground, and a book blogger herself on the ismellsheep book and movie site.  She was also an early enthusiast for both The Heir of Night and Thornspell.

I would like to once more extend my very warm thanks to all three “Fun With Thornspell” judges for their care in selecting a winning comment, which was:

“Well I would like to see a short story about Rue.

There is a lot that could be said about her struggle against the Magravaine’s spell, and her efforts to help Sigismund while her own power (or most of it) remained bound and fettered by the 100 year sleep.

That and her own relationship to Fae and Faierie could make for a really interesting story.”

~ from Andrew on the first day of “Fun with Thornspell”

And now—finally, at last!—a “Rue” short story is ‘done and dusted’ and will post in full on the blog tomorrow.  By way of some introductory remarks, I note that I asked the commenters to give reasons why they selected their chosen character, but did not necessarily undertake to write a story based around those reasons. (The Muses may not be trammelled!) Nonetheless, I think Andrew’s comment has given direction and shape to the course of the story, which I am pleased about. (The Muses come to the party all the same!)

So: tomorrow. Right here. On the blog. And I hope you’ll enjoy!