User blog comment:Shadowswimmer77/Apologies and, I hope, an Explanation/@comment-25947144-20161108123850

To be honest I'm kinda with you on this one. The rules didn't change yet so as long as the story meets the standards (which it does) I don't think it's fair to not have it accepted. The argument I've seen is that it wouldn't be fair for the winner and other contestants, since Banning is okay with the idea and nothing's stopping the others from submitting an appeal themselves.

I also think it isn't right to have you post that appeal and be given fake hopes just to be told that it can't be accepted because the rules will be changed. And while I think you did overreact, I think it's only natural for a serious writer like you to have a level of pride in his work.