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So many interesting comments:

Ann: Wow! Then again, I'm not surprised you went big with those points, and not just because of the Texas thing. There's an expression in medical training -- "see one, do one, teach one" -- and that applies to writing too. It's no coincidence the strongest writers on this site are also the ones who contribute the most toward helping others improve their craft. Thanks to you, I'll always try to lead and end each chapter with a hook, and I've learned to hate the word "that" and treat it like verbal kudzu.

Dagnee: I also miss the Top Reviewers list, and wish Sol would bring it back. Unlike the "vanity prize" of Top Story of the week/month/etc..., the Top Reviewer ranking gave useful information about who was most active on the site and most generous with their time. It would also be great if Sol could sweeten the pot by offering either bonus points or small membership discounts (e.g. $10 off for top reviewer of the month) to encourage those who are especially generous with their time. Super-active reviewers like Ann, JP, Jack the Knife, Seabrass, and others (sorry I can't mention everyone) are the engines that drive this site.

And finally, Alice: Welcome! I think most people start here wondering how they'll accrue enough points to post their material. It's harder when a writer posts but isn't ready for this kind of forum because their writing is too riddled with typos, grammatical errors, lack of focus, or other fundamentals; that's certainly not the case with you, so you should have an easy time getting your reviews reciprocated. When I read something new, I'll comment when the material engages me, but first, I'll always check the author's responses to other reviews. Authors who are defensive, dismissive of reasonable comments, or close-minded about their writing are harder to engage, so I'll pass on those. Again, clearly not an issue for you

That said, if you don't have the time to invest in the kind of "reciprocity capital" that this site runs on, you can still get invaluable feedback by consulting with a professional editor. Anita Mumm ("Mumm's the Word" website), for instance, gave me a brilliant analysis of my WIP at what I'd consider a reasonable rate. I only found out about her through the "Strongest Start" competition, since she offered to review the first three chapters of the winning manuscript as one of the grand prizes. Sometimes, it's worth the investment to get an experienced beta reader to go through your entire manuscript, then point out what works and what still needs revision. Hope that helps... Gray

Congrats, Cobber. That's really exciting news, and I agree the cover is terrific. When it's available, I'll definitely buy a copy and post a review. I really enjoyed the story, found it topical and compelling, but got bogged down in my own writing and revisions so didn't do it justice. I will make amends when you publish! Gray

There are several talented horror writers on this site, and all the Stephen King talk has me wondering if a straight horror contest would work (with a word count limit but not too many other constraints to limit the creativity or make things too contrived). Not my genre, but I'd love to read those entries. May the creepiest, most disturbing, gut-wrenching yarn win...

Congrats Seabrass and MJ, and thanks to Sol for an entertaining contest. There were a dozen plus entries that could have taken the top spots, so I'm not sure how the judges decided in the end. Must have been a tough job.

Thanks, Corra! Your commentary and suggestions were very helpful. I wrote this with an idea of what I wanted to say, but a lot of the deeper meaning had to be layered on after I thought things through. For instance, I didn't want to spell out any sexual violence -- which is a typical power play for abusers -- so I used the image of him forcing her to wash his laundry with hers. That said, your suggestions were the opposite of unnecessary. It's always good to reexamine and think through the logic of what you've written. As a silly example, when I reviewed Don Chambers' flash fic about a girl returning a lost dog to his owner, I suggested he'd written a parable about youth versus experience and the narcissism of the "millennial" me-me-me generation. He thanked me for the compliment, then said "actually, it's just a story about a girl returning a lost dog," but I still think his subconscious wheels were turning with a deeper meaning, LOL. Thanks for taking so much time with this. I found your piece equally thought-provoking. Gray

I can relate, Janet. You've got tons of glowing reviews, but it's that one meh comment that sticks in your craw. As a doctor, I'm open to being "reviewed" by anyone on several "rate your doc" sites. While most of them are lovely, kind and appreciative, there's always one crank here or there who rants about me because I prescribed a medication that cost some ridiculous amount of money (like I'm supposed to know all the intricacies of their ever-changing prescription benefits). Don's advice is top notch, and remember: at least you have the guts and talent to put yourself out there!

Voted again. You're up by six with only 1 1/2 hours to go.  Go Wilted Magnolias!

Terrific sci-if, Bill. I really enjoyed reading Ice Hangar. Congrats to all the winners for your creative and entertaining entries. This was a tough and convoluted contest, and I was floored by the quality of the submissions.

Thanks (damn the Autocorrect!)

Thanks, guys! Nothing to purchase yet, but hopefully one day!