Amy Lynn McConahy's Blog
November 20, 2025
New Contest & a New Reviewer
Hello All! We have very exciting news for you! Our magazine will now be hosting a Junior Writing Contest called "The Paths We Walk" at the same time as our Windows Writing Contest. I soft-launched this contest on our website weeks ago, and I have already been contacted by teachers wanting to use the contest for their students. If you know of a school that you think we should add to our mailing list, message me via email with the information at info@cleanfictionmagazine.com. I have already been asked if there can be more than one author, and the answer is yes. I will be updating the form accordingly soon. I am excited to take this next step to foster the next generation of writers. Without further ado, read on for the contest information.
THE PATHS WE WALK JUNIOR WRITING CONTEST
Welcome to Clean Fiction Magazine’s “The Paths We Walk” Junior Writing Contest. If you are a young writer between the ages of 13 and 17 and have permission from your guardian to submit to a writing contest, continue reading for more information.
This brand new contest will accept submissions quarterly in the months of January, April, July, and October. Submissions and publication of winners are completely FREE.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
You are asked to write a micro-story beginning with “Along the path, I saw...” using the image on our website's "Contests" page as inspiration. The only restriction on your creativity is that you keep your micro-story clean. All genres are accepted. Submissions will be accepted January 1-31.
Please keep your submission between 500 and 1,000 words. To submit your story, fill out the “Submit to the Paths Contest” form found below. If you do not want your full name announced, please note that on the form.
The winners will appear in our March 20th Spring Edition, along with the image on this page. Depending on the number of submissions we receive, there will be either winners in several genre categories OR an overall winner. Winner/s will be announced on February 5th. Each winner or the overall winner will receive a $20 Amazon gift card, a printable winner’s certificate, a 3D-printed “medallion”, a digital medallion, and an author feature (if this information is approved by the minor's guardian).* We will not use your micro-stories without your permission, and the winner/s will be sent pages for approval. The winners will be decided by the Clean Fiction staff, and excerpts of each submission may be used for promotional purposes. We cannot wait to read what you write about this new image!
More Contest Information: https://www.sunsetvalleycreations.com...
Submit to the Paths Contest: https://forms.wix.com/f/7391617175238...
This contest does not yet have a sponsor. To be a sponsor, fill out this FORM.
* Prizes will not be distributed until after the magazine goes to print. Medallions are only shipped in the continental United States.
NEW REVIEWER: We are pleased to announce that we have added a new reviewer to our team, Cheryl Gress, and Christ Centered Gamer is partnering with us as our Video Game Reviewer. Christ Centered Gamer was started in 2000 by Cheryl and Jason Gress and was originally called Christian Computer Game Reviews. To read the full story of their organization, pick up a copy of the Winter Edition 2025. Learn more about Cheryl and Christ Centered Gamer by following the links below. Also, we did receive several submissions for our Contemporary and Historical Reviewer positions. Thank you for your quick response. We should be able to fill both positions in the coming weeks.
Cheryl Gress (Christ Centered Gamer)
Video Game Reviewer
christcenteredgamer.com
Discord: ccgr
X: divinegames
Patreon: ccgr
YouTube: ccgr
President and Co-founder of Christ Centered Gamer. IT support during the day, raising chickens, ducks and bees when not writing reviews.
STORY FODDER
I would like to use this week to talk about Endearing Mashups. Using playful nicknames and banter is a great way to gain a giggle from your reader. Sometimes readers are looking for lighthearted silliness to brighten their day, and Endearing Mashups can help to build relationships between characters, either as lovers or friends, in a way that is more believable in a modern setting. I know with my own friends, there tends to be a whole litany of inside jokes and double meanings for words that draw us closer with humor and shared memories. Below, I have included some fun Endearing Mashups or silly phrases that I have collected over the years or made up myself to add a little silliness to my day. I have also included a list of exclamations that I regularly use in lieu of cursing. Feel free to use anything below that you might find useful. My Endearing Mashups tend toward food mostly, but yours could be anything at all that your characters are interested in.
Positive Endearments/Exclamations
Salt and Winnegar
Brotato Pancakes
Brotato Chip
Bravocado
Broccoli Bite
Borange
Brotastic
Butterful
Friends Toast
Maple Sheryp
Shenut Butter
Shenut Butter Toast
Chetzel
Cheddar Puff Pastry
Shnoodle Soup
Snuggle Nugget
Fanta-Hero
Shiny, Glitter, Sparkle!
Hearts, Stars, and Horseshoes!
Shut the front door and lock the back!
Negative Endearments/Exclamations
Shynonuggie
Shynosaur
Sheezle
Sheeple
Shenut Butter Be Jelly
Sassafras
Zor-Zero the Anti-Hero
Whinese
Bronato
Brozella
Brodzella
Cinderfella
Snow Bro
Jaz-mean
Sad-lad
Brisket!
Parsnip!
Nugget!
Nutbunnies!
Cooked Carrots!
This Story Fodder is about Endearing Mashups. Do you feel inspired to make some mashups of your own? If so, let me know via email or in the comments.
May your day be bright and your reading be epic!
~ Amy Lynn McConahy, Clean Fiction Publisher
REMINDER: We cannot continue to publish our magazine without your help! Please consider either becoming an advertiser, supporting Clean Fiction on Patreon, or directly supporting us with a Yearly Subscription (for as little as $10/year!).
THE PATHS WE WALK JUNIOR WRITING CONTEST
Welcome to Clean Fiction Magazine’s “The Paths We Walk” Junior Writing Contest. If you are a young writer between the ages of 13 and 17 and have permission from your guardian to submit to a writing contest, continue reading for more information.
This brand new contest will accept submissions quarterly in the months of January, April, July, and October. Submissions and publication of winners are completely FREE.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
You are asked to write a micro-story beginning with “Along the path, I saw...” using the image on our website's "Contests" page as inspiration. The only restriction on your creativity is that you keep your micro-story clean. All genres are accepted. Submissions will be accepted January 1-31.
Please keep your submission between 500 and 1,000 words. To submit your story, fill out the “Submit to the Paths Contest” form found below. If you do not want your full name announced, please note that on the form.
The winners will appear in our March 20th Spring Edition, along with the image on this page. Depending on the number of submissions we receive, there will be either winners in several genre categories OR an overall winner. Winner/s will be announced on February 5th. Each winner or the overall winner will receive a $20 Amazon gift card, a printable winner’s certificate, a 3D-printed “medallion”, a digital medallion, and an author feature (if this information is approved by the minor's guardian).* We will not use your micro-stories without your permission, and the winner/s will be sent pages for approval. The winners will be decided by the Clean Fiction staff, and excerpts of each submission may be used for promotional purposes. We cannot wait to read what you write about this new image!
More Contest Information: https://www.sunsetvalleycreations.com...
Submit to the Paths Contest: https://forms.wix.com/f/7391617175238...
This contest does not yet have a sponsor. To be a sponsor, fill out this FORM.
* Prizes will not be distributed until after the magazine goes to print. Medallions are only shipped in the continental United States.
NEW REVIEWER: We are pleased to announce that we have added a new reviewer to our team, Cheryl Gress, and Christ Centered Gamer is partnering with us as our Video Game Reviewer. Christ Centered Gamer was started in 2000 by Cheryl and Jason Gress and was originally called Christian Computer Game Reviews. To read the full story of their organization, pick up a copy of the Winter Edition 2025. Learn more about Cheryl and Christ Centered Gamer by following the links below. Also, we did receive several submissions for our Contemporary and Historical Reviewer positions. Thank you for your quick response. We should be able to fill both positions in the coming weeks.
Cheryl Gress (Christ Centered Gamer)
Video Game Reviewer
christcenteredgamer.com
Discord: ccgr
X: divinegames
Patreon: ccgr
YouTube: ccgr
President and Co-founder of Christ Centered Gamer. IT support during the day, raising chickens, ducks and bees when not writing reviews.
STORY FODDER
I would like to use this week to talk about Endearing Mashups. Using playful nicknames and banter is a great way to gain a giggle from your reader. Sometimes readers are looking for lighthearted silliness to brighten their day, and Endearing Mashups can help to build relationships between characters, either as lovers or friends, in a way that is more believable in a modern setting. I know with my own friends, there tends to be a whole litany of inside jokes and double meanings for words that draw us closer with humor and shared memories. Below, I have included some fun Endearing Mashups or silly phrases that I have collected over the years or made up myself to add a little silliness to my day. I have also included a list of exclamations that I regularly use in lieu of cursing. Feel free to use anything below that you might find useful. My Endearing Mashups tend toward food mostly, but yours could be anything at all that your characters are interested in.
Positive Endearments/Exclamations
Salt and Winnegar
Brotato Pancakes
Brotato Chip
Bravocado
Broccoli Bite
Borange
Brotastic
Butterful
Friends Toast
Maple Sheryp
Shenut Butter
Shenut Butter Toast
Chetzel
Cheddar Puff Pastry
Shnoodle Soup
Snuggle Nugget
Fanta-Hero
Shiny, Glitter, Sparkle!
Hearts, Stars, and Horseshoes!
Shut the front door and lock the back!
Negative Endearments/Exclamations
Shynonuggie
Shynosaur
Sheezle
Sheeple
Shenut Butter Be Jelly
Sassafras
Zor-Zero the Anti-Hero
Whinese
Bronato
Brozella
Brodzella
Cinderfella
Snow Bro
Jaz-mean
Sad-lad
Brisket!
Parsnip!
Nugget!
Nutbunnies!
Cooked Carrots!
This Story Fodder is about Endearing Mashups. Do you feel inspired to make some mashups of your own? If so, let me know via email or in the comments.
May your day be bright and your reading be epic!
~ Amy Lynn McConahy, Clean Fiction Publisher
REMINDER: We cannot continue to publish our magazine without your help! Please consider either becoming an advertiser, supporting Clean Fiction on Patreon, or directly supporting us with a Yearly Subscription (for as little as $10/year!).
November 11, 2025
Top 6 Covers & New Reviewer
Hello All! We have our Top 6 Covers listed below! There were a total of 1,054 votes cast, and our top cover received 248 of those votes! Our author and design winner is Kristin Lim! Kristin is a Christian Author from the Philippines. The Philippine islands are currently weathering the repercussions of several back-to-back natural disasters. Please keep our brothers and sisters in the Philippines in your prayers, as well as Kristin and her family. I know they would appreciate it.
Please scroll down to meet our new Saga Reviewer and for this week's Story Fodder. Also, a reminder that our advertising deadline is this week, on November 15th, for the Winter Edition 2025. Please consider supporting us with advertising. More information can be found at sunsetvalleycreations.com/pricingguide
First Place: Cover 4
Title: The Shard that Binds
Author: Kristin Lim
Designer: Kristin Lim
Facebook: KristinLimStoryteller
Second Place: Cover 16
Title: Dawn of the Elding
Author: Demi Griffin
Designer: DSM Designs
devotedsteps.com
Third Place: Cover 8
Title: Flameheart
Author: Dalton and Emily Bequette
Designer: Ashley Bustamante
linktr.ee/debequette
Fourth Place: Cover 15
Title: Inheritance of Ink
Author: Grace Soto
Designer: Jess Cantrell
writesofgrace.com
Fifth Place: Cover 20
Title: Trick or Treat on Graveyard Street
Author: C.K. Fyfe
Designer: Corbin Davis
seafarercreativeco.com
Sixth Place: Cover 7
Title: Line of Fire
Author: Taylor S. Newport
Designer: Deranged Doctor Designs
taylorsnewport.com
This Contest was Sponsored by Author Jessica Bertrand (jessicabertrand.com) and Finding God in Anime Devotional for Otakus (@findinggodinanime).
NEW REVIEWER: We are pleased to announce that we have added a new reviewer to our team, David M W Powers is now our Saga Reviewer. Learn more about David below, and if you know of someone who would be interested in our Contemporary Reviewer or Historical Reviewer positions. Let me know via email.
David [Marti Ward] Powers
Author/Reviewer/Scientist
Amazon: David Powers (Reviews)
David M W Powers (Science)
Marti Ward (Science Fiction)
Goodreads: Marti Ward
Reedsy: Marti Ward
Books2Read.com/MartiWard
MartiSciFi.blogspot.com
MartiWard.blogspot.com
Prof. David M W Powers is a multi-award-winning author, teacher, researcher, and entrepreneur known for his serial startups and his interdisciplinary work from the behavioural, cognitive, health, and information sciences to environmental, biomedical, and robotic engineering. Marti Ward is the pseudonym he uses for his fiction, which is intended to explore the implications and directions of current science and technology are taking, as well as to inspire a new generation of explorers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Neither David nor Marti has been into space yet, but both have travelled extensively on this planet - living in half a dozen countries and speaking and reading a variety of languages with varying degrees of fluency. David hasn't yet built an AI as sophisticated as Al — but is working on it, and Marti has written about it, of course. David has 300+ publications relating to AI, Computational Linguistics, and Robotics, including several non-fiction books under his own name. He is also the founder of Springer-Nature's Cognitive Science and Technology series, SIGNLL, and CoNLL (the society and conference for Natural Language Learning). He was brought up reading a wide range of books, fiction and non-fiction - exploring Encyclopaedia Britannica at the age of four when his parents wouldn't answer his persistent "How?" and "Why?" questions. His first fantasy story, Ghostie, was published in print and audio form when he was seven years old - being used in teacher training. David particularly enjoyed the Robot stories of Isaac Asimov. Intelligent AIs from his childhood, Astroboy and HAL, featured in his PhD thesis - and these stories and characters might just get mentioned in Marti's Paradisi writing too. But he really fell in love with Anne McCaffrey's PERN stories - so don't be surprised to see influences from that source either. Marti is tickled when people see these influences...What's critical about the stories of Clarke, Asimov, and McCaffrey, and Marti Ward's books and stories, about Real/Firm/Hard Science Fiction, is that they seek to explore the scientific and sociological implications of new, interesting, or plausible developments and the measures that are put in place to control them.
STORY FODDER
I would like to use this week to talk about Resonance. I have a degree in Music Education with a focus in voice, and I currently work as a Worship Leader at our church. Originally growing up in a musical family, I cannot remember when I first started to perform in church and at other gatherings, but as I grew, I knew that my voice was above average. In my teen years, I committed my voice to the Lord to avoid the sin of pride. As an adult, I am a vocal professional using my gift to praise Christ and further His kingdom. All of this is to set the scene for the information that comes next.
This is where my experience with Resonance comes in. I am not sure if you know this, but when you play the keys of a piano, ALL of the strings resonate with the strings that are hammered. I know well the power of a conventional instrument, as I grew up with a baby grand piano in the living room of my childhood home. As a child, my father would play us to sleep at night, and I have fond memories of sitting beneath the piano, letting the complementary resonance of the strings wash over me.
You may have known this about a piano or other stringed instrument, but did you know that it is also true of the human voice as well? The sound created by air vibrating over the vocal chords is only part of the equation. Just like the wooden body of a violin resonates with the vibration of the strings, a human body resonates with the sounds of music, both being produced by the person themselves and by the music created around them. If you have ever sung in a choir, you may have experienced this, the moment that the individual voices become one sound. Sometimes a sympathetic resonance can run in families. When I sing with my cousins, aunts, uncles, parents, and siblings, it is much easier to find that unified moment of sound, but I have also experienced it in my work as a Worship Leader with my team and my congregation. That moment of unity can be a powerful emotional pull for all of those caught in the beauty of its experience. But I also think that there is another level to this, one that is spiritual in nature.
Since giving my voice to the Lord, songs that don't directly glorify Him are just missing something for me. I can execute with my normal level of ability, but my voice lacks a certain resonant quality that I commonly experience in times of worship. Our church live streams our services, and I cannot count the number of times I have gone to listen to a particularly engaging song after the fact and found it wanting, missing the unified resonance of the other believers singing with me. How can something as tangible as the taste of sweets on my tongue simply not exist in a digital replication? I have some ideas, but this is where you can go from here. How can the sympathetic resonance within families or the tangible presence of unity in worship be used in your story? I would love to know.
This Story Fodder is based on Resonance. Do you feel inspired? If so, let me know via email or in the comments.
May your day be bright and your reading be epic!
~ Amy Lynn McConahy, Clean Fiction Publisher
REMINDER: We cannot continue to publish our magazine without your help! Please consider either becoming an advertiser, supporting Clean Fiction on Patreon, or directly supporting us with a Yearly Subscription (for as little as $10/year!).
Our Advertising Deadline is November 15th for the Winter Edition 2025.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter HERE! (https://www.sunsetvalleycreations.com...)
Please scroll down to meet our new Saga Reviewer and for this week's Story Fodder. Also, a reminder that our advertising deadline is this week, on November 15th, for the Winter Edition 2025. Please consider supporting us with advertising. More information can be found at sunsetvalleycreations.com/pricingguide
First Place: Cover 4
Title: The Shard that Binds
Author: Kristin Lim
Designer: Kristin Lim
Facebook: KristinLimStoryteller
Second Place: Cover 16
Title: Dawn of the Elding
Author: Demi Griffin
Designer: DSM Designs
devotedsteps.com
Third Place: Cover 8
Title: Flameheart
Author: Dalton and Emily Bequette
Designer: Ashley Bustamante
linktr.ee/debequette
Fourth Place: Cover 15
Title: Inheritance of Ink
Author: Grace Soto
Designer: Jess Cantrell
writesofgrace.com
Fifth Place: Cover 20
Title: Trick or Treat on Graveyard Street
Author: C.K. Fyfe
Designer: Corbin Davis
seafarercreativeco.com
Sixth Place: Cover 7
Title: Line of Fire
Author: Taylor S. Newport
Designer: Deranged Doctor Designs
taylorsnewport.com
This Contest was Sponsored by Author Jessica Bertrand (jessicabertrand.com) and Finding God in Anime Devotional for Otakus (@findinggodinanime).
NEW REVIEWER: We are pleased to announce that we have added a new reviewer to our team, David M W Powers is now our Saga Reviewer. Learn more about David below, and if you know of someone who would be interested in our Contemporary Reviewer or Historical Reviewer positions. Let me know via email.
David [Marti Ward] Powers
Author/Reviewer/Scientist
Amazon: David Powers (Reviews)
David M W Powers (Science)
Marti Ward (Science Fiction)
Goodreads: Marti Ward
Reedsy: Marti Ward
Books2Read.com/MartiWard
MartiSciFi.blogspot.com
MartiWard.blogspot.com
Prof. David M W Powers is a multi-award-winning author, teacher, researcher, and entrepreneur known for his serial startups and his interdisciplinary work from the behavioural, cognitive, health, and information sciences to environmental, biomedical, and robotic engineering. Marti Ward is the pseudonym he uses for his fiction, which is intended to explore the implications and directions of current science and technology are taking, as well as to inspire a new generation of explorers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Neither David nor Marti has been into space yet, but both have travelled extensively on this planet - living in half a dozen countries and speaking and reading a variety of languages with varying degrees of fluency. David hasn't yet built an AI as sophisticated as Al — but is working on it, and Marti has written about it, of course. David has 300+ publications relating to AI, Computational Linguistics, and Robotics, including several non-fiction books under his own name. He is also the founder of Springer-Nature's Cognitive Science and Technology series, SIGNLL, and CoNLL (the society and conference for Natural Language Learning). He was brought up reading a wide range of books, fiction and non-fiction - exploring Encyclopaedia Britannica at the age of four when his parents wouldn't answer his persistent "How?" and "Why?" questions. His first fantasy story, Ghostie, was published in print and audio form when he was seven years old - being used in teacher training. David particularly enjoyed the Robot stories of Isaac Asimov. Intelligent AIs from his childhood, Astroboy and HAL, featured in his PhD thesis - and these stories and characters might just get mentioned in Marti's Paradisi writing too. But he really fell in love with Anne McCaffrey's PERN stories - so don't be surprised to see influences from that source either. Marti is tickled when people see these influences...What's critical about the stories of Clarke, Asimov, and McCaffrey, and Marti Ward's books and stories, about Real/Firm/Hard Science Fiction, is that they seek to explore the scientific and sociological implications of new, interesting, or plausible developments and the measures that are put in place to control them.
STORY FODDER
I would like to use this week to talk about Resonance. I have a degree in Music Education with a focus in voice, and I currently work as a Worship Leader at our church. Originally growing up in a musical family, I cannot remember when I first started to perform in church and at other gatherings, but as I grew, I knew that my voice was above average. In my teen years, I committed my voice to the Lord to avoid the sin of pride. As an adult, I am a vocal professional using my gift to praise Christ and further His kingdom. All of this is to set the scene for the information that comes next.
This is where my experience with Resonance comes in. I am not sure if you know this, but when you play the keys of a piano, ALL of the strings resonate with the strings that are hammered. I know well the power of a conventional instrument, as I grew up with a baby grand piano in the living room of my childhood home. As a child, my father would play us to sleep at night, and I have fond memories of sitting beneath the piano, letting the complementary resonance of the strings wash over me.
You may have known this about a piano or other stringed instrument, but did you know that it is also true of the human voice as well? The sound created by air vibrating over the vocal chords is only part of the equation. Just like the wooden body of a violin resonates with the vibration of the strings, a human body resonates with the sounds of music, both being produced by the person themselves and by the music created around them. If you have ever sung in a choir, you may have experienced this, the moment that the individual voices become one sound. Sometimes a sympathetic resonance can run in families. When I sing with my cousins, aunts, uncles, parents, and siblings, it is much easier to find that unified moment of sound, but I have also experienced it in my work as a Worship Leader with my team and my congregation. That moment of unity can be a powerful emotional pull for all of those caught in the beauty of its experience. But I also think that there is another level to this, one that is spiritual in nature.
Since giving my voice to the Lord, songs that don't directly glorify Him are just missing something for me. I can execute with my normal level of ability, but my voice lacks a certain resonant quality that I commonly experience in times of worship. Our church live streams our services, and I cannot count the number of times I have gone to listen to a particularly engaging song after the fact and found it wanting, missing the unified resonance of the other believers singing with me. How can something as tangible as the taste of sweets on my tongue simply not exist in a digital replication? I have some ideas, but this is where you can go from here. How can the sympathetic resonance within families or the tangible presence of unity in worship be used in your story? I would love to know.
This Story Fodder is based on Resonance. Do you feel inspired? If so, let me know via email or in the comments.
May your day be bright and your reading be epic!
~ Amy Lynn McConahy, Clean Fiction Publisher
REMINDER: We cannot continue to publish our magazine without your help! Please consider either becoming an advertiser, supporting Clean Fiction on Patreon, or directly supporting us with a Yearly Subscription (for as little as $10/year!).
Our Advertising Deadline is November 15th for the Winter Edition 2025.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter HERE! (https://www.sunsetvalleycreations.com...)
November 6, 2025
Writing Contest Winners
Hello All! I won't make you wait because I know you will ignore whatever I say here today anyway. Check below for a Cover Art Contest update and a brand new Story Fodder. And now, our winners!
Fantasy Winner
The Star Collector
By Elizabeth D. Marie
patreon.com/elizabethdmarie
Romance Winner
The Light that Promises Warmth
By Emmarayn Redding
emmarayn.com
Science Fiction Winner
Golden Treasure
By Rose Q. Addams
rewriteswithafaeriepen.wordpress.com
QUARTERLY COVER ART CONTEST: So far, we have had over 840 votes cast and we still have three days to go! Voting goes through November 8 (Voting is FREE). You can vote for your favorite once per day on our website. The winner will be announced on November 13 in our Newsletter.
This Contest is Sponsored by Author Jessica Bertrand (jessicabertrand.com) and Finding God in Anime Devotional for Otakus (@findinggodinanime).
Vote for Your Favorite: https://www.sunsetvalleycreations.com...
The painting of Mrs. Richard Brinsley Sheridan by Thomas Gainsborough painted between the years of 1785-1787 shocked me the first time that I saw it in my high school art history class. It shocked my classmates and teacher as well with how much I looked like the woman in the painting. My teacher actually thought that someone was pranking him when one of my classmates decorated the room with some close-up shots of famous paintings, thinking that they had replaced one of the close-ups with a photo of me. I don't know if it is the unique asymmetry of our eyes, the shape of our mouths, or the red-brown color of our hair, but I cannot deny that I resemble this woman. I do wish that I could walk around with my hair in careless, chaotic curls like hers, but the only ones who get to witness my hair in this state are my family, not for lack of ability, but for lack of confidence in public scrutiny.
There are so many cases of doppelgangers that if you search the term online, you could scroll for hours. I know that strong resemblance can be found in family lines, as I am a perfect match to both my mother and her mother, but even after I scrutinized our family tree, I found, as is true in most cases, that we are not related. This thought led to an idea, whether related or not, what if we bore a resemblance to someone else for a reason?
Imagine a story where the main character has a passion for history and is currently working on solving a mystery that hasn't been solved for generations, only to stumble upon a painting in a gallery that so strongly resembles them that they reach out and touch it against all the rules and personal convictions for preservation. The moment they touch the painting, they are brought back in time to possess that particular person at or around a point in their life where the mystery that they are trying to solve in the present is mentioned in the past. The story could be a leapfrog-type portal fantasy following the main character as they gather more and more puzzle pieces to solve the mystery, or you could make it a family line situation where their ancestors have been working on the mystery, and each one shares their insight as the main character encounters them. What would you do with this idea? I would love to know.
This Story Fodder is based on the existence of doppelgangers. Do you feel inspired? If so, let me know via email or in the comments.
May your day be bright and your reading be epic!
~ Amy Lynn McConahy, Clean Fiction Publisher
REMINDER: We cannot continue to publish our magazine without your help! Please consider either becoming an advertiser, supporting Clean Fiction on Patreon, or directly supporting us with a Yearly Subscription (for as little as $10/year!).
Our Advertising Deadline is November 15th for the Winter Edition 2025.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter HERE! (https://www.sunsetvalleycreations.com...)
Fantasy Winner
The Star Collector
By Elizabeth D. Marie
patreon.com/elizabethdmarie
Romance Winner
The Light that Promises Warmth
By Emmarayn Redding
emmarayn.com
Science Fiction Winner
Golden Treasure
By Rose Q. Addams
rewriteswithafaeriepen.wordpress.com
QUARTERLY COVER ART CONTEST: So far, we have had over 840 votes cast and we still have three days to go! Voting goes through November 8 (Voting is FREE). You can vote for your favorite once per day on our website. The winner will be announced on November 13 in our Newsletter.
This Contest is Sponsored by Author Jessica Bertrand (jessicabertrand.com) and Finding God in Anime Devotional for Otakus (@findinggodinanime).
Vote for Your Favorite: https://www.sunsetvalleycreations.com...
The painting of Mrs. Richard Brinsley Sheridan by Thomas Gainsborough painted between the years of 1785-1787 shocked me the first time that I saw it in my high school art history class. It shocked my classmates and teacher as well with how much I looked like the woman in the painting. My teacher actually thought that someone was pranking him when one of my classmates decorated the room with some close-up shots of famous paintings, thinking that they had replaced one of the close-ups with a photo of me. I don't know if it is the unique asymmetry of our eyes, the shape of our mouths, or the red-brown color of our hair, but I cannot deny that I resemble this woman. I do wish that I could walk around with my hair in careless, chaotic curls like hers, but the only ones who get to witness my hair in this state are my family, not for lack of ability, but for lack of confidence in public scrutiny.
There are so many cases of doppelgangers that if you search the term online, you could scroll for hours. I know that strong resemblance can be found in family lines, as I am a perfect match to both my mother and her mother, but even after I scrutinized our family tree, I found, as is true in most cases, that we are not related. This thought led to an idea, whether related or not, what if we bore a resemblance to someone else for a reason?
Imagine a story where the main character has a passion for history and is currently working on solving a mystery that hasn't been solved for generations, only to stumble upon a painting in a gallery that so strongly resembles them that they reach out and touch it against all the rules and personal convictions for preservation. The moment they touch the painting, they are brought back in time to possess that particular person at or around a point in their life where the mystery that they are trying to solve in the present is mentioned in the past. The story could be a leapfrog-type portal fantasy following the main character as they gather more and more puzzle pieces to solve the mystery, or you could make it a family line situation where their ancestors have been working on the mystery, and each one shares their insight as the main character encounters them. What would you do with this idea? I would love to know.
This Story Fodder is based on the existence of doppelgangers. Do you feel inspired? If so, let me know via email or in the comments.
May your day be bright and your reading be epic!
~ Amy Lynn McConahy, Clean Fiction Publisher
REMINDER: We cannot continue to publish our magazine without your help! Please consider either becoming an advertiser, supporting Clean Fiction on Patreon, or directly supporting us with a Yearly Subscription (for as little as $10/year!).
Our Advertising Deadline is November 15th for the Winter Edition 2025.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter HERE! (https://www.sunsetvalleycreations.com...)
October 30, 2025
Voting Has Begun!
Hello All! Our Cover Art Contest is now in full swing! There are 23 covers in the running this time. Make sure you cast your votes for your favorites. For more information and dates, read below. So, what did you all think of last week's Story Fodder? This week, we have a combination of history and personal experience once again from a time period a bit closer to home. I would love to know if you end up using any of these in one of your stories!
QUARTERLY COVER ART CONTEST: Voting goes through November 8 (Voting is FREE). You can vote for your favorite once per day on our website. The winner will be announced on November 13 in our Newsletter.
This Contest is Sponsored by Author Jessica Bertrand (jessicabertrand.com) and Finding God in Anime Devotional for Otakus (@findinggodinanime).
Vote for Your Favorite: https://www.sunsetvalleycreations.com...
WINDOWS INTO THE MULTIVERSE WRITING CONTEST: There is ONE MORE DAY to submit your Micro-Story! Don't miss out!
This Contest is Sponsored by the Strangers & Aliens Podcast (StrangersAndAliens.com).
Learn More About This Contest: https://www.sunsetvalleycreations.com...
Submit Your Micro-Story: https://forms.wix.com/f/7158155127763...
STORY FODDER by Amy Lynn McConahy
At one point in my life, I was REALLY into learning all I could about my family tree. This is because I have some Serbian descent, and I was wondering what that looked like in context with the story I am about to share. All of the following information has either been passed down to me by family members or obtained using family tree data. All of the following story is true to the best of my knowledge.
I want to start with the Serbs of Croatia, an Eastern Orthodox Minority that, though emphatic that they are Serbian, have existed in Croatia since possibly the Middle Ages. This people group grew over the centuries by fleeing war and persecution in their home country. Mary and her husband were part of this Orthodox Minority in the midst of WWI. After the war rocked Europe, a mass emigration to the United States began. Several young men from their small community were sent first to see if they would be able to obtain jobs in the new country, whose language they did not speak. After arriving in New York, they headed southwest and settled in Ohio. Many of whom began work in the mills, and some returned to their roots as humble subsistence farmers. Now with the scene set, this is where Mary's story begins.
A newly married young woman with a child on the way, her whole life consisting of the close-knit hum of her small farming community. Married women in babushkas tended the animals and small children of the community, making bread from scratch and drinking dandelion tea together at the midday meal. All while the men worked the fields with plows and oxen, in hopes that their crops of maize and barley would be plentiful that year. All of which was set aside on "The Lord's Day" for a time of worship and quiet prayer. Almost every family had a son or grandson who had traveled to the "land of opportunity", and her husband was contemplating taking the trip himself. Mary worried about what life would be like without her husband to protect her, but they were poor and only had enough money from last year's harvest for one steamboat ticket across the ocean. In a surprising move, her husband wanted to let their child decide whether he would cross the ocean or not. He would send Mary and their unborn child on the perilous 2-week journey with an ultimatum, "If you have a son, I will join you in America. If you have a daughter, I will live out my days in Croatia. Do what you will." I don't know if Mary had a choice in the matter, but I do know that the journey was a difficult one for her. She became very ill in the cramped quarters of the lower deck, and many of the other passengers at that level died of illness before reaching the harbor in New York.
I have looked through all the records during that time period, and though I found some women who were listed as Mary or Marie, I was unable to confirm which woman was my Great, Great Grandmother because her original surname did not survive. At that time, an unaccompanied pregnant woman was not allowed to disembark a vessel without a man to vouch for her. This man was her husband's best friend and had come over on an earlier voyage. He was a farmer and had land enough to support Mary while they waited for her husband. Was he distressed when Mary told him of her husband's ultimatum? I do not know, but I do know that she gave birth to a baby girl whom she named Mary, and eventually Mary the elder married the Best Friend of her husband, who loved her deeply. After her illness on the voyage across the sea, Mary the elder was always sickly, but her new husband cared for her as if she were a precious jewel. Mary the younger would not receive more than a 3rd grade education due to caring for her mother, but would later meet a man named Arthur, a gentleman farmer who had a laugh and personality so infectious that decades after his passing, any who spoke of him could not help but smile in his remembrance. After Mary the elder passed, the Best Friend, Mary the younger, Arthur, and their two sons would all live on a farm together, raising hogs and plowing fields, earning the living the ground and the good Lord had given them.
This Story Fodder is based on both 1910s immigration history as well as my own family history. Do you feel inspired? If so, let me know via email or in the comments.
May your day be bright and your reading be epic!
~ Amy Lynn McConahy, Clean Fiction Publisher
REMINDER: We cannot continue to publish our magazine without your help! Please consider either becoming an advertiser, supporting Clean Fiction on Patreon, or directly supporting us with a Yearly Subscription (for as little as $10/year!).
Our Advertising Deadline is November 15th for the Winter Edition 2025.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter HERE! (https://www.sunsetvalleycreations.com...)
QUARTERLY COVER ART CONTEST: Voting goes through November 8 (Voting is FREE). You can vote for your favorite once per day on our website. The winner will be announced on November 13 in our Newsletter.
This Contest is Sponsored by Author Jessica Bertrand (jessicabertrand.com) and Finding God in Anime Devotional for Otakus (@findinggodinanime).
Vote for Your Favorite: https://www.sunsetvalleycreations.com...
WINDOWS INTO THE MULTIVERSE WRITING CONTEST: There is ONE MORE DAY to submit your Micro-Story! Don't miss out!
This Contest is Sponsored by the Strangers & Aliens Podcast (StrangersAndAliens.com).
Learn More About This Contest: https://www.sunsetvalleycreations.com...
Submit Your Micro-Story: https://forms.wix.com/f/7158155127763...
STORY FODDER by Amy Lynn McConahy
At one point in my life, I was REALLY into learning all I could about my family tree. This is because I have some Serbian descent, and I was wondering what that looked like in context with the story I am about to share. All of the following information has either been passed down to me by family members or obtained using family tree data. All of the following story is true to the best of my knowledge.
I want to start with the Serbs of Croatia, an Eastern Orthodox Minority that, though emphatic that they are Serbian, have existed in Croatia since possibly the Middle Ages. This people group grew over the centuries by fleeing war and persecution in their home country. Mary and her husband were part of this Orthodox Minority in the midst of WWI. After the war rocked Europe, a mass emigration to the United States began. Several young men from their small community were sent first to see if they would be able to obtain jobs in the new country, whose language they did not speak. After arriving in New York, they headed southwest and settled in Ohio. Many of whom began work in the mills, and some returned to their roots as humble subsistence farmers. Now with the scene set, this is where Mary's story begins.
A newly married young woman with a child on the way, her whole life consisting of the close-knit hum of her small farming community. Married women in babushkas tended the animals and small children of the community, making bread from scratch and drinking dandelion tea together at the midday meal. All while the men worked the fields with plows and oxen, in hopes that their crops of maize and barley would be plentiful that year. All of which was set aside on "The Lord's Day" for a time of worship and quiet prayer. Almost every family had a son or grandson who had traveled to the "land of opportunity", and her husband was contemplating taking the trip himself. Mary worried about what life would be like without her husband to protect her, but they were poor and only had enough money from last year's harvest for one steamboat ticket across the ocean. In a surprising move, her husband wanted to let their child decide whether he would cross the ocean or not. He would send Mary and their unborn child on the perilous 2-week journey with an ultimatum, "If you have a son, I will join you in America. If you have a daughter, I will live out my days in Croatia. Do what you will." I don't know if Mary had a choice in the matter, but I do know that the journey was a difficult one for her. She became very ill in the cramped quarters of the lower deck, and many of the other passengers at that level died of illness before reaching the harbor in New York.
I have looked through all the records during that time period, and though I found some women who were listed as Mary or Marie, I was unable to confirm which woman was my Great, Great Grandmother because her original surname did not survive. At that time, an unaccompanied pregnant woman was not allowed to disembark a vessel without a man to vouch for her. This man was her husband's best friend and had come over on an earlier voyage. He was a farmer and had land enough to support Mary while they waited for her husband. Was he distressed when Mary told him of her husband's ultimatum? I do not know, but I do know that she gave birth to a baby girl whom she named Mary, and eventually Mary the elder married the Best Friend of her husband, who loved her deeply. After her illness on the voyage across the sea, Mary the elder was always sickly, but her new husband cared for her as if she were a precious jewel. Mary the younger would not receive more than a 3rd grade education due to caring for her mother, but would later meet a man named Arthur, a gentleman farmer who had a laugh and personality so infectious that decades after his passing, any who spoke of him could not help but smile in his remembrance. After Mary the elder passed, the Best Friend, Mary the younger, Arthur, and their two sons would all live on a farm together, raising hogs and plowing fields, earning the living the ground and the good Lord had given them.
This Story Fodder is based on both 1910s immigration history as well as my own family history. Do you feel inspired? If so, let me know via email or in the comments.
May your day be bright and your reading be epic!
~ Amy Lynn McConahy, Clean Fiction Publisher
REMINDER: We cannot continue to publish our magazine without your help! Please consider either becoming an advertiser, supporting Clean Fiction on Patreon, or directly supporting us with a Yearly Subscription (for as little as $10/year!).
Our Advertising Deadline is November 15th for the Winter Edition 2025.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter HERE! (https://www.sunsetvalleycreations.com...)
October 21, 2025
Speculative Reviewer
Hello All! Last week, we announced our new Junior Fiction Reviewer. This week, we announce our new Speculative Fiction Reviewer! Our own Erin Dydek, formerly our Superhero Reviewer, has requested to be able to do more than Superheroes and jump into the Steampunk genre as well. Thus, we have a new Speculative Reviewer. If you are a Steampunk author, this is your time to shine! Submit your book for a FREE review over on our website, no strings attached! Check out Erin's information below, and scroll down for our new "Story Fodder" section.
Erin Dydek
Speculative Reviewer
erindydek.substack.com
Instagram: edydek15
BookBub: erindydek
Goodreads: Erin Dydek
Erin Dydek is an athletic nerd fueled by positivity and a little silliness. She aims to encourage and inspire readers with light-hearted stories that make the heart smile. She is also an avid book reviewer who loves exploring thought-provoking themes in fantasy and science fiction. When reading isn’t enough, she enjoys running half marathons and mountain biking with her husband and son.
QUARTERLY COVER ART CONTEST: We are now accepting FREE submissions for our next Cover Art Contest (Winter Edition 2025) through October 25. Voting will begin on October 27 and run for 2 weeks (Voting is also FREE). The winner will be announced on November 13 in our Newsletter.
This very popular contest currently has no sponsors. If you would like to be a sponsor for the low price of $25, follow the link below.
Submit Your Cover: https://forms.wix.com/f/7170507267886...
Become a Sponsor: https://forms.wix.com/f/7186034940482...
WINDOWS INTO THE MULTIVERSE WRITING CONTEST: Submissions are open October 1-31. Use the image found on the "Contests" page of our website to write a 1,000-1,500-word micro-story. Submissions are FREE. Winners will be announced on November 6th. The winners will be decided by the Clean Fiction staff, and excerpts of each submission may be used for promotional purposes.
This Contest is Sponsored by the Strangers & Aliens Podcast (StrangersAndAliens.com).
Learn More About This Contest: https://www.sunsetvalleycreations.com...
Submit Your Micro-Story: https://forms.wix.com/f/7158155127763...
For a long time, I have held onto some really great story ideas in hopes that I will someday use them, but I have found over the years that both my chaotic schedule and lack of talent writing outside of the speculative genres has left me full of ideas that someone else would probably make better use of. So for those who may use these ideas to make great stories, here you go!
This painting, called "A Huguenot, on St. Bartholomew's Day" has been my cell phone lock screen for as long as I can remember. It is a piece painted by John Everett Millais, created in 1851-1852. It is an image of a Catholic woman attempting to tie an armband on her Protestant love. She pleads with him to wear the armband that would identify him as a Catholic, and his gentle smile as he refuses captured my imagination. The setting of this painting was Paris, France, August 24, 1572, a day that would later be called the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre. On that day, 3,000 French Protestants (Huguenots) were murdered in Paris. Behind this man's gentle smile is the knowledge that he will soon be parted from his love by death, but even with this knowledge, he is willing to be sacrificed for his faith. The bitter-sweet flavor of this interaction keeps me coming back to this image again and again. Who were they? How did they find love in a divided France? Did she choose to stand with him in the end? Were they able to escape? So many unanswered questions.
I suppose that this painting spoke to me so deeply because my own parents could have been this couple in a different time and place. My mother came from a strictly Catholic family, and my father from a Protestant family. Both families had long histories in their respective faiths, going all the way back to their pre-American roots. When my parents were finally married in 1982 in a Protestant church, their ceremony had to be a closed one due to the family conflict, and my mother's youngest brother was not even allowed to attend. Now, this conflict was well and truly resolved before I made my entrance into the world 5 years later, but I can imagine that it was really hard for my parents to weather those first few years having both of their families at odds.
This Story Fodder is based on both French history as well as my own. Do you feel inspired? If so, let me know via email or in the comments.
May your day be bright and your reading be epic!
~ Amy Lynn McConahy, Clean Fiction Publisher
REMINDER: We cannot continue to publish our magazine without your help! Please consider either becoming an advertiser, supporting Clean Fiction on Patreon, or directly supporting us with a Yearly Subscription (for as little as $10/year!).
Our Advertising Deadline is November 15th for the Winter Edition 2025.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter HERE! (https://www.sunsetvalleycreations.com...)
Erin Dydek
Speculative Reviewer
erindydek.substack.com
Instagram: edydek15
BookBub: erindydek
Goodreads: Erin Dydek
Erin Dydek is an athletic nerd fueled by positivity and a little silliness. She aims to encourage and inspire readers with light-hearted stories that make the heart smile. She is also an avid book reviewer who loves exploring thought-provoking themes in fantasy and science fiction. When reading isn’t enough, she enjoys running half marathons and mountain biking with her husband and son.
QUARTERLY COVER ART CONTEST: We are now accepting FREE submissions for our next Cover Art Contest (Winter Edition 2025) through October 25. Voting will begin on October 27 and run for 2 weeks (Voting is also FREE). The winner will be announced on November 13 in our Newsletter.
This very popular contest currently has no sponsors. If you would like to be a sponsor for the low price of $25, follow the link below.
Submit Your Cover: https://forms.wix.com/f/7170507267886...
Become a Sponsor: https://forms.wix.com/f/7186034940482...
WINDOWS INTO THE MULTIVERSE WRITING CONTEST: Submissions are open October 1-31. Use the image found on the "Contests" page of our website to write a 1,000-1,500-word micro-story. Submissions are FREE. Winners will be announced on November 6th. The winners will be decided by the Clean Fiction staff, and excerpts of each submission may be used for promotional purposes.
This Contest is Sponsored by the Strangers & Aliens Podcast (StrangersAndAliens.com).
Learn More About This Contest: https://www.sunsetvalleycreations.com...
Submit Your Micro-Story: https://forms.wix.com/f/7158155127763...
For a long time, I have held onto some really great story ideas in hopes that I will someday use them, but I have found over the years that both my chaotic schedule and lack of talent writing outside of the speculative genres has left me full of ideas that someone else would probably make better use of. So for those who may use these ideas to make great stories, here you go!
This painting, called "A Huguenot, on St. Bartholomew's Day" has been my cell phone lock screen for as long as I can remember. It is a piece painted by John Everett Millais, created in 1851-1852. It is an image of a Catholic woman attempting to tie an armband on her Protestant love. She pleads with him to wear the armband that would identify him as a Catholic, and his gentle smile as he refuses captured my imagination. The setting of this painting was Paris, France, August 24, 1572, a day that would later be called the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre. On that day, 3,000 French Protestants (Huguenots) were murdered in Paris. Behind this man's gentle smile is the knowledge that he will soon be parted from his love by death, but even with this knowledge, he is willing to be sacrificed for his faith. The bitter-sweet flavor of this interaction keeps me coming back to this image again and again. Who were they? How did they find love in a divided France? Did she choose to stand with him in the end? Were they able to escape? So many unanswered questions.
I suppose that this painting spoke to me so deeply because my own parents could have been this couple in a different time and place. My mother came from a strictly Catholic family, and my father from a Protestant family. Both families had long histories in their respective faiths, going all the way back to their pre-American roots. When my parents were finally married in 1982 in a Protestant church, their ceremony had to be a closed one due to the family conflict, and my mother's youngest brother was not even allowed to attend. Now, this conflict was well and truly resolved before I made my entrance into the world 5 years later, but I can imagine that it was really hard for my parents to weather those first few years having both of their families at odds.
This Story Fodder is based on both French history as well as my own. Do you feel inspired? If so, let me know via email or in the comments.
May your day be bright and your reading be epic!
~ Amy Lynn McConahy, Clean Fiction Publisher
REMINDER: We cannot continue to publish our magazine without your help! Please consider either becoming an advertiser, supporting Clean Fiction on Patreon, or directly supporting us with a Yearly Subscription (for as little as $10/year!).
Our Advertising Deadline is November 15th for the Winter Edition 2025.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter HERE! (https://www.sunsetvalleycreations.com...)
October 14, 2025
Junior Fiction Reviewer
Hello All! We are happy to announce a change in staffing! Our very own D.T. Powell is moving from being our Fairy Tale Reviewer to our Junior Fiction Reviewer. Considering that she is a seriously gifted reader and author, we are expecting our Junior Fiction Section to continue to grow rapidly under her leadership. That being said, if you have a middle-grade story or chapter book meant for children, make sure you submit it to our TBR Pile via our website. Submissions are open 24/7, so don't be shy! Even if your book is not reviewed in the Winter Edition 2025, your book's title, author name, website, and genre will appear as one of our "From the TBR Pile" listings. This has always been and will continue to be completely FREE, so there is no risk involved. Read on below to learn more about D.T. Powell, Junior Fiction Reviewer.
D.T. Powell
Junior Fiction Reviewer
dtpowellwrites.com
Facebook: D. T. Powell, Author
Instagram: dtill359
D. T. Powell grew up in a Christian home, loving books and reading. Her daily habits included devouring dozens of pages, picking which book to read next, scouring the local library shelves, and archiving and listening to sacred music. When she was nine, God sent a fictional character into her life who changed the way she looked at the world—and herself. From then on, she wanted to show everyone what God had done for her, so she pursued an art degree… and was summarily kicked out of the program due to general lack of artistic talent. Only after she graduated with a degree in business did she pick up the one utensil she had never thought to use, a pen. And she hasn’t put it down since. To fill her writing day, she works on original stories, extensive fanfiction endeavors, editing friends’ work, and learning more about the craft of writing. Her hobbies include hanging out with her husband and their three kitties, reading, playing pickelball, listening to music, and imagining scenes to use in future books. She loves Psalm 126:5, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.”
QUARTERLY COVER ART CONTEST: We are now accepting FREE submissions for our next Cover Art Contest (Winter Edition 2025) through October 25. Voting will begin October 27 and run for 2 weeks (Voting is also FREE). The winner will be announced November 13 in our Newsletter.
Can a cover DESIGNER participate? Of course. Can an author participate even if they did not design their cover? Yep. Is there a limit on the number of covers that I submit? Please, only send one cover per author/design company. Can you submit a cover that has participated in a previous Cover Art Contest? We ask that you only submit a cover once to one of our contests. What about AI art? As long as a human had a hand in creating part of the cover, it is fine to submit it. Does it matter what genre the book is? No, but keep it clean!
This very popular contest currently has no sponsors. If you would like to be a sponsor for the low price of $25, follow the link below.
Submit Your Cover: https://forms.wix.com/f/7170507267886...
Become a Sponsor: https://forms.wix.com/f/7186034940482...
NOTE: The graphic for the Animo cards coupon last week had a typo on the website. The correct website is animocards.com. The Bible Verse Trading Card Game ANIMO has given our readers a coupon for their first purchase. If you want to find out more about Animo, visit animocards.com. Use coupon code: CLEANFICTION26 at animocards.com during checkout to receive 26% off your first order.
WINDOWS INTO THE MULTIVERSE WRITING CONTEST: Submissions are open October 1-31. Please keep your submission between 1,000 and 1,500 words. To submit your story, fill out the form found on the “Contests” page of our website. Submissions are FREE. Winners will be announced on November 6th. The winners will be decided by the Clean Fiction staff, and excerpts of each submission may be used for promotional purposes.
This Contest is Sponsored by the Strangers & Aliens Podcast (StrangersAndAliens.com).
May your day be bright and your reading be epic!
~ Amy Lynn McConahy, Clean Fiction Publisher
REMINDER: We cannot continue to publish our magazine without your help! Please consider either becoming an advertiser, supporting Clean Fiction on Patreon, or directly supporting us with a Yearly Subscription (for as little as $10/year!).
Our Advertising Deadline is November 15th for the Winter Edition 2025.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter HERE! (https://www.sunsetvalleycreations.com...)
D.T. Powell
Junior Fiction Reviewer
dtpowellwrites.com
Facebook: D. T. Powell, Author
Instagram: dtill359
D. T. Powell grew up in a Christian home, loving books and reading. Her daily habits included devouring dozens of pages, picking which book to read next, scouring the local library shelves, and archiving and listening to sacred music. When she was nine, God sent a fictional character into her life who changed the way she looked at the world—and herself. From then on, she wanted to show everyone what God had done for her, so she pursued an art degree… and was summarily kicked out of the program due to general lack of artistic talent. Only after she graduated with a degree in business did she pick up the one utensil she had never thought to use, a pen. And she hasn’t put it down since. To fill her writing day, she works on original stories, extensive fanfiction endeavors, editing friends’ work, and learning more about the craft of writing. Her hobbies include hanging out with her husband and their three kitties, reading, playing pickelball, listening to music, and imagining scenes to use in future books. She loves Psalm 126:5, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.”
QUARTERLY COVER ART CONTEST: We are now accepting FREE submissions for our next Cover Art Contest (Winter Edition 2025) through October 25. Voting will begin October 27 and run for 2 weeks (Voting is also FREE). The winner will be announced November 13 in our Newsletter.
Can a cover DESIGNER participate? Of course. Can an author participate even if they did not design their cover? Yep. Is there a limit on the number of covers that I submit? Please, only send one cover per author/design company. Can you submit a cover that has participated in a previous Cover Art Contest? We ask that you only submit a cover once to one of our contests. What about AI art? As long as a human had a hand in creating part of the cover, it is fine to submit it. Does it matter what genre the book is? No, but keep it clean!
This very popular contest currently has no sponsors. If you would like to be a sponsor for the low price of $25, follow the link below.
Submit Your Cover: https://forms.wix.com/f/7170507267886...
Become a Sponsor: https://forms.wix.com/f/7186034940482...
NOTE: The graphic for the Animo cards coupon last week had a typo on the website. The correct website is animocards.com. The Bible Verse Trading Card Game ANIMO has given our readers a coupon for their first purchase. If you want to find out more about Animo, visit animocards.com. Use coupon code: CLEANFICTION26 at animocards.com during checkout to receive 26% off your first order.
WINDOWS INTO THE MULTIVERSE WRITING CONTEST: Submissions are open October 1-31. Please keep your submission between 1,000 and 1,500 words. To submit your story, fill out the form found on the “Contests” page of our website. Submissions are FREE. Winners will be announced on November 6th. The winners will be decided by the Clean Fiction staff, and excerpts of each submission may be used for promotional purposes.
This Contest is Sponsored by the Strangers & Aliens Podcast (StrangersAndAliens.com).
May your day be bright and your reading be epic!
~ Amy Lynn McConahy, Clean Fiction Publisher
REMINDER: We cannot continue to publish our magazine without your help! Please consider either becoming an advertiser, supporting Clean Fiction on Patreon, or directly supporting us with a Yearly Subscription (for as little as $10/year!).
Our Advertising Deadline is November 15th for the Winter Edition 2025.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter HERE! (https://www.sunsetvalleycreations.com...)
October 7, 2025
Coupons!
Hello All! As we finish one magazine, the creation of another begins! We have begun accepting advertising for the upcoming Winter Edition 2025. Even though the official release date for the magazine isn't until December 20th, I always try to finish this one early so that it can potentially be a Christmas present. (I know, I know...how dare I mention Christmas before Halloween, but in publishing, you are ALWAYS having to look ahead.) All of this to say that I am doing my best to collect our advertising early for this edition. So feel free to use the coupon code: MCCONAHY for $5 off one advertisement. This code can be typed in the form to submit an advertisement found on the "Pricing Guide" page of our website (sunsetvalleycreations.com/pricingguide). On this page, you can also find sizes and prices for ads.
Speaking of coupons, I have another one for you! The Bible Verse Trading Card Game ANIMO has given our readers a coupon for their first purchase. If you want to find out more about Animo, visit animocards.com. My kids love it, and I am sure yours will too! The school where I work is a Ministry Partner, and the students have been doing the Animo Bible Verse Challenge. In the first month of school, I had 40 students approach me with memorized Bible verses. How cool is that! If your kiddos like cards and collecting, AND you want them to be more interested in memorizing Bible verses. I highly recommend these cards! Use coupon code: CLEANFICTION26 at animocards.com during checkout to receive 26% off your first order.
WRITING CONTEST SUBMISSIONS OPEN: You are asked to write a micro-story beginning with “Through the window, I saw...” using the photo above as inspiration. The only restriction on your creativity is that you keep your micro-story clean. All genres are accepted. Submissions will open October 1-31. Please keep your submission between 1,000 and 1,500 words. To submit your story, fill out the form found on the “Contests” page of our website. Submissions are FREE. Winners will be announced on November 6th. The winners will be decided by the Clean Fiction staff, and excerpts of each submission may be used for promotional purposes. We cannot wait to read what you write about this new image, and we are excited to read your submissions!
This Contest is Sponsored by the Strangers & Aliens Podcast (StrangersAndAliens.com).
May your day be bright and your reading be epic!
~ Amy Lynn McConahy, Clean Fiction Publisher
REMINDER: We cannot continue to publish our magazine without your help! Please consider either becoming an advertiser, supporting Clean Fiction on Patreon, or directly supporting us with a Yearly Subscription (for as little as $10/year!).
Our Advertising Deadline is November 15th for the Winter Edition 2025.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter HERE! (https://www.sunsetvalleycreations.com...)
Speaking of coupons, I have another one for you! The Bible Verse Trading Card Game ANIMO has given our readers a coupon for their first purchase. If you want to find out more about Animo, visit animocards.com. My kids love it, and I am sure yours will too! The school where I work is a Ministry Partner, and the students have been doing the Animo Bible Verse Challenge. In the first month of school, I had 40 students approach me with memorized Bible verses. How cool is that! If your kiddos like cards and collecting, AND you want them to be more interested in memorizing Bible verses. I highly recommend these cards! Use coupon code: CLEANFICTION26 at animocards.com during checkout to receive 26% off your first order.
WRITING CONTEST SUBMISSIONS OPEN: You are asked to write a micro-story beginning with “Through the window, I saw...” using the photo above as inspiration. The only restriction on your creativity is that you keep your micro-story clean. All genres are accepted. Submissions will open October 1-31. Please keep your submission between 1,000 and 1,500 words. To submit your story, fill out the form found on the “Contests” page of our website. Submissions are FREE. Winners will be announced on November 6th. The winners will be decided by the Clean Fiction staff, and excerpts of each submission may be used for promotional purposes. We cannot wait to read what you write about this new image, and we are excited to read your submissions!
This Contest is Sponsored by the Strangers & Aliens Podcast (StrangersAndAliens.com).
May your day be bright and your reading be epic!
~ Amy Lynn McConahy, Clean Fiction Publisher
REMINDER: We cannot continue to publish our magazine without your help! Please consider either becoming an advertiser, supporting Clean Fiction on Patreon, or directly supporting us with a Yearly Subscription (for as little as $10/year!).
Our Advertising Deadline is November 15th for the Winter Edition 2025.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter HERE! (https://www.sunsetvalleycreations.com...)
October 2, 2025
Top New Release
Hello All! I am so excited to share with you that the Autumn Edition 2025 topped two categories on Amazon this time: Books & Reading Literary Criticism and Literary Criticism Reference. Thank you so much to those who have already snagged their copy. Just in case you didn't know, for only $10/year you can have access to ALL of our magazines through our website. You can now process your subscription through our Patreon Shop (patreon.com/cleanfiction/shop) or through PayPal (https://www.sunsetvalleycreations.com...). Either way, it is a VERY good deal for access to over 2,200 pages of book reviews, articles, serial stories, poems, book awards, and devotionals. Year to date, we have reviewed 1,060 books of various genres. That's enough books to fill anyone's TBR Pile! We currently have 381 books currently waiting on ours, with 341 of the 1,060 books having been directly submitted through our website. If you have a book, graphic novel, webtoon, or audio drama that you would like reviewed, submissions are always open for FREE on our website!
WINDOWS INTO THE MULTIVERSE WRITING CONTEST: You are asked to write a micro-story beginning with “Through the window, I saw...” using the photo on the "Contests" page of our website (cleanfictionmagazine.com) as inspiration. The only restriction on your creativity is that you keep your micro-story clean. All genres are accepted. Submissions will open October 1-31. Please keep your submission between 1,000 and 1,500 words. To submit your story, fill out the form found on the “Contests” page of our website. We will not use your micro-stories without your permission, and the winner/s will be sent pages for approval. The winners will appear in our December 20th Winter Edition along with the image on this page. Depending on the number of submissions we receive, there will be either winners in several genre categories OR an overall winner. Winners will be announced on November 6th. Each winner or the overall winner will receive a $20 Amazon gift card, a printable winner’s certificate, a 3D printed “medallion”, and an author feature ($40 value).* The winners will be decided by the Clean Fiction staff, and excerpts of each submission may be used for promotional purposes. We cannot wait to read what you write about this new image, and we are excited to read your submissions!
This Contest is Sponsored by the Strangers & Aliens Podcast (StrangersAndAliens.com).
* Prizes will not be distributed until after the magazine goes to print. Medallions are only shipped in the continental United States.
Dedication for the Autumn Edition 2025: This 16th edition of Clean Fiction Magazine is dedicated to COMMUNITY. Over the last few months, I have had the distinct opportunity to chat with so many Christian creatives that if I took the time to list them here, the dedication would take forever. I am so struck by how talented and driven the Lord has made my brothers and sisters. I can truly say that I am proud to be part of such a wonderful community. If those around me were not building each other up, they were chatting about family, friends, and of course, God’s wonderful plans. I know that many, including myself, have experienced less than pleasant times interacting with our church family. I also know that this is due to the church being made up of fallen people in a fallen world. But this glimpse of light from the Clean Fiction Community makes me think that this, THIS is how it is supposed to be. Supportive, understanding, loving, and most of all STRIVING toward a common goal, to bring others to the Light of Christ. For this, I thank the Clean Fiction Community for showing me that all is not lost, as long as we move forward together. ~ ALM
May your day be bright and your reading be epic!
~ Amy Lynn McConahy, Clean Fiction Publisher
REMINDER: We cannot continue to publish our magazine without your help! Please consider either becoming an advertiser, supporting Clean Fiction on Patreon, or directly supporting us with a Yearly Subscription (for as little as $10/year!).
Our Advertising Deadline is November 15th for the Winter Edition 2025.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter HERE! (https://www.sunsetvalleycreations.com...)
This Week's Community Activity:
Purchase Your Copy Today!
Visit sunsetvalleycreations.com/editions for more information and buying options.
WINDOWS INTO THE MULTIVERSE WRITING CONTEST: You are asked to write a micro-story beginning with “Through the window, I saw...” using the photo on the "Contests" page of our website (cleanfictionmagazine.com) as inspiration. The only restriction on your creativity is that you keep your micro-story clean. All genres are accepted. Submissions will open October 1-31. Please keep your submission between 1,000 and 1,500 words. To submit your story, fill out the form found on the “Contests” page of our website. We will not use your micro-stories without your permission, and the winner/s will be sent pages for approval. The winners will appear in our December 20th Winter Edition along with the image on this page. Depending on the number of submissions we receive, there will be either winners in several genre categories OR an overall winner. Winners will be announced on November 6th. Each winner or the overall winner will receive a $20 Amazon gift card, a printable winner’s certificate, a 3D printed “medallion”, and an author feature ($40 value).* The winners will be decided by the Clean Fiction staff, and excerpts of each submission may be used for promotional purposes. We cannot wait to read what you write about this new image, and we are excited to read your submissions!
This Contest is Sponsored by the Strangers & Aliens Podcast (StrangersAndAliens.com).
* Prizes will not be distributed until after the magazine goes to print. Medallions are only shipped in the continental United States.
Dedication for the Autumn Edition 2025: This 16th edition of Clean Fiction Magazine is dedicated to COMMUNITY. Over the last few months, I have had the distinct opportunity to chat with so many Christian creatives that if I took the time to list them here, the dedication would take forever. I am so struck by how talented and driven the Lord has made my brothers and sisters. I can truly say that I am proud to be part of such a wonderful community. If those around me were not building each other up, they were chatting about family, friends, and of course, God’s wonderful plans. I know that many, including myself, have experienced less than pleasant times interacting with our church family. I also know that this is due to the church being made up of fallen people in a fallen world. But this glimpse of light from the Clean Fiction Community makes me think that this, THIS is how it is supposed to be. Supportive, understanding, loving, and most of all STRIVING toward a common goal, to bring others to the Light of Christ. For this, I thank the Clean Fiction Community for showing me that all is not lost, as long as we move forward together. ~ ALM
May your day be bright and your reading be epic!
~ Amy Lynn McConahy, Clean Fiction Publisher
REMINDER: We cannot continue to publish our magazine without your help! Please consider either becoming an advertiser, supporting Clean Fiction on Patreon, or directly supporting us with a Yearly Subscription (for as little as $10/year!).
Our Advertising Deadline is November 15th for the Winter Edition 2025.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter HERE! (https://www.sunsetvalleycreations.com...)
This Week's Community Activity:
Purchase Your Copy Today!
Visit sunsetvalleycreations.com/editions for more information and buying options.
August 28, 2025
Happy Cover Reveal Day!
Hello All! Due to scheduling constraints, all of you can enjoy our new cover EARLY! Typically, we would wait until the first of the month, but starting the new school year has me running like a chicken. Work on the upcoming edition is moving along, and I can't wait to share a plethora of new articles with all of you! At Realm Makers I met so many great ministries and organizations, and now I am going to get the chance to share many of them with you. For those of you who are starting the school year as an educator or as a parent, let me say a little prayer for you as you start this new time of learning.
Thank you, Lord, for those who have chosen to bring children into the world and those who are willing to spend their lives educating those children. Be with us as we approach every day that You have laid before us. May Your blessings overwhelm us and Your goodness sustain us in the months ahead. May we all be lights for Your kingdom as You protect us from the machinations of the evil one. Stand as a sentinel Lord outside every establishment of faith and fill each building with the expanse of Your presence. I ask these things in Your son's name. Amen.
Thank you for taking the time to pray with me, and if you wouldn't mind taking a moment to pray for me as well, I would appreciate it. You will not be hearing from me until the Autumn Edition 2025 has gone to print. So until then, check out the Windows into the Multiverse Writing Contest information below.
WINTER WRITING CONTEST: We have a new image! If you need time to prepare a micro-story for our next contest, you don't have to wait anymore! The image of a lighthouse at sunset is the prompt for the Winter Edition 2025 Windows Into the Multiverse Writing Contest. I thought that this lighthouse looked rather alien, so expect some Science Fiction submissions this time around! This contest will be accepting submissions in October. Happy Writing!
This contest was sponsored by the Strangers and Aliens Podcast (strangersandaliens.com).
May your day be bright and your reading be epic!
~ Amy Lynn McConahy, Clean Fiction Publisher
REMINDER: We cannot continue to publish our magazine without your help! Please consider either becoming an advertiser, supporting Clean Fiction on Patreon, or directly supporting us with a Yearly Subscription (for as little as $10/year!).
Our Advertising Deadline is November 15th for the Winter Edition 2025.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter HERE! (https://www.sunsetvalleycreations.com...)
This Week's Community Activity:
Become a Subscriber
It costs as little as $10/year for a Yearly Ebook Subscription.
Visit sunsetvalleycreations.com/editions for more information.
Thank you, Lord, for those who have chosen to bring children into the world and those who are willing to spend their lives educating those children. Be with us as we approach every day that You have laid before us. May Your blessings overwhelm us and Your goodness sustain us in the months ahead. May we all be lights for Your kingdom as You protect us from the machinations of the evil one. Stand as a sentinel Lord outside every establishment of faith and fill each building with the expanse of Your presence. I ask these things in Your son's name. Amen.
Thank you for taking the time to pray with me, and if you wouldn't mind taking a moment to pray for me as well, I would appreciate it. You will not be hearing from me until the Autumn Edition 2025 has gone to print. So until then, check out the Windows into the Multiverse Writing Contest information below.
WINTER WRITING CONTEST: We have a new image! If you need time to prepare a micro-story for our next contest, you don't have to wait anymore! The image of a lighthouse at sunset is the prompt for the Winter Edition 2025 Windows Into the Multiverse Writing Contest. I thought that this lighthouse looked rather alien, so expect some Science Fiction submissions this time around! This contest will be accepting submissions in October. Happy Writing!
This contest was sponsored by the Strangers and Aliens Podcast (strangersandaliens.com).
May your day be bright and your reading be epic!
~ Amy Lynn McConahy, Clean Fiction Publisher
REMINDER: We cannot continue to publish our magazine without your help! Please consider either becoming an advertiser, supporting Clean Fiction on Patreon, or directly supporting us with a Yearly Subscription (for as little as $10/year!).
Our Advertising Deadline is November 15th for the Winter Edition 2025.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter HERE! (https://www.sunsetvalleycreations.com...)
This Week's Community Activity:
Become a Subscriber
It costs as little as $10/year for a Yearly Ebook Subscription.
Visit sunsetvalleycreations.com/editions for more information.
August 21, 2025
New Image
Hello All! This week has been a wild one. I have been writing lesson plans, making slide shows, and pamphlets in preparation for the school year as well as finalizing the advertising for the upcoming magazine. All of this on top of preparing my kiddos to start school next week. Crazy as it has been, I am pleased with how things are coming together. Once I have permissions to do so, I should be able to share some of my lessons as a resource for those who are teachers/librarians. Until then, just keep an eye on the newsletters because I will share that information here.
WINTER WRITING CONTEST: We have a new image! If you need time to prepare a micro-story for our next contest, you don't have to wait anymore! The image of a lighthouse at sunset is the prompt for the Winter Edition 2025 Windows Into the Multiverse Writing Contest. I thought that this lighthouse looked rather alien, so expect some Science Fiction submissions this time around! This contest will be accepting submissions in October. Happy Writing!
This contest was sponsored by the Strangers and Aliens Podcast (strangersandaliens.com).
May your day be bright and your reading be epic!
~ Amy Lynn McConahy, Clean Fiction Publisher
REMINDER: We cannot continue to publish our magazine without your help! Please consider either becoming an advertiser, supporting Clean Fiction on Patreon, or directly supporting us with a Yearly Subscription (for as little as $10/year!).
Our Advertising Deadline is November 15th for the Winter Edition 2025.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter HERE! (https://www.sunsetvalleycreations.com...)
This Week's Community Activity:
Become a Subscriber
It costs as little as $10/year for a Yearly Ebook Subscription.
Visit sunsetvalleycreations.com/editions for more information.
WINTER WRITING CONTEST: We have a new image! If you need time to prepare a micro-story for our next contest, you don't have to wait anymore! The image of a lighthouse at sunset is the prompt for the Winter Edition 2025 Windows Into the Multiverse Writing Contest. I thought that this lighthouse looked rather alien, so expect some Science Fiction submissions this time around! This contest will be accepting submissions in October. Happy Writing!
This contest was sponsored by the Strangers and Aliens Podcast (strangersandaliens.com).
May your day be bright and your reading be epic!
~ Amy Lynn McConahy, Clean Fiction Publisher
REMINDER: We cannot continue to publish our magazine without your help! Please consider either becoming an advertiser, supporting Clean Fiction on Patreon, or directly supporting us with a Yearly Subscription (for as little as $10/year!).
Our Advertising Deadline is November 15th for the Winter Edition 2025.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter HERE! (https://www.sunsetvalleycreations.com...)
This Week's Community Activity:
Become a Subscriber
It costs as little as $10/year for a Yearly Ebook Subscription.
Visit sunsetvalleycreations.com/editions for more information.
