It's February, y'all, which means it's time for an update on Planet Unification for our visitors! We're also here to show y'all that this award has not been abandoned. We're no ONC contest or Wattys, but that doesn't mean we're not judging and not judging seriously.

Venator and I are about halfway finished judging your guys' books for Shortlist qualification. From how it looks, we're still on schedule and plan to have the Shortlist up by the last week of March or the first week of April—maybe earlier if we keep up the pace.

You guys are not making it easy for us, and that's a good thing! While we wish we could shortlist every participant, we can't be biased (an error I sometimes see in a few Wattpad community contests). I'm treating this award as a small Ambys.

Since you guys are making it challenging, I've decided that when I announce the Shortlist, I will also have a few Highlight Stories—the highest-scored ones on the Shortlist. However, that does not mean they automatically win the contest. Sadly, I've seen stories that start excellent and then shatter. 

Those chosen as Highlight Stories will have solid hooks and character introductions (those are what the Wattpad Originals look for). 

I also plan to announce the Chinese Food Menu Challenge winner soon—if not this month, then with the Shortlist. Since these brave writers toughed this challenge, I will shout them out to show how much I appreciate them trying something different: morfusmax1, katiegoesmew, Fata_Viola, Sahityasikharghosh, and Adorablechewy16. Thank you for your bravery, guys!

As for the rest of y'all, you are also brave to trust Venator and me with your books; we appreciate it and will try our best not to disappoint you guys and be as fair as possible. We're not professional writers, but we do have a good understanding of the writer's craft and are eager to promote different stories and writers.

With that said, Venator and I love you all and wish for the Force to be with you while you navigate our planet and find your place in the writing world!

- Viktoria Fyodorova

Important Notice!

Please ensure that you guys update your Ongoing stories at least once a month. It doesn't matter much for the Shortlist (you can breathe), but it will for determining Winners. I'm treating you guys like Wattpad Creators. Keep practicing, practicing, and practicing. :)

This is how I feel right now. I'm trying, y'all.