Good on you for honoring the contest.
This sort of model is harder to run nowadays I admit since a lot of artists and writers charge prices more than prize money nowadays. But speaking from experience, it can be pretty uplifting to the newly starting artist or writer to win a contest when they haven't much had the confidence to open for commissions yet.

So you'll be making someone's day I'm sure. ^^

Agreed. My friend and fellow judge helped point that out and made me realize my mistake. Thank you for the understanding and forgiveness. It means a lot.

I can understand a level of frustration. For sure, you were looking forward for the submissions. But they'll come for sure. But they'll come eventually.

Hope you can get things settled in rl!

Thank you for the understanding and forgiveness. It means a lot.