Discussion: Q1 Volume 38

Agathon,

I am now following you on Amazon (does that make me a stalker?).

Here's the link for folks to check out your antho:
https://www.amazon.com/Escape-collectio ... 08N1RXP72/

You don't strike me as stalker material, you're too well adjusted.

Thanks for the follow!

After you submit, I believe there's a button that asks if you want to print.
I did that, then when the print window came up, I clicked the dropdown for PDF.
A 2 page PDF appeared with all my info downloaded.
Handy.

(Although it could be an option because I pay Adobe monthly for PDF services...)

I submitted at 3am on 1st January. Don't worry, that was UK time! I submitted later than planned given I thought my story was pretty much finished going into the last couple of days. But I ended up making a few small changes on my final readthroughs. I'd lost all creativity by December and probably spent more time writing this story than any other, though I feel positive about equalling my best or levelling up, or equally that I could get a straight R. Exciting times!

Good luck, Alex! I ended up submitting on the 30th. I'm never sure whether the very long or very short ones will go over well, but I figured I may as well mix things up a bit. So short for me this time. I hit an exact 350 during edits, said, "that's fate" and made that my stopping point. LOL

Here's to 2021 being a great year with lots of forum winners!!!
--Tracy

I'm really interested to hear how you do with that story given it's so short! Mica Scotti Kole's 1,800-word story is the shortest winner I'm aware of. My first HM was 1,200 words, and czing received SHM for a story <1,000 words. I was very tempted to enter a 900-word story for V37 Q4, as I think it's one of my best, but I'm glad I entered what I did given I levelled up. The 900-word story is my backup should I fail to finish another story any quarter this year, assuming it doesn't sell elsewhere!

And yes, I think we'll see many level-ups from the forum in 2021.

Eolake Stobblehouse, a published finalist in v5 has a 182 word story, -Just don't-. Not a winner, but I'm sure he got the same treatment.
That's the book with K.D. Wentworth's story Daddy's Girls. She won 3rd place and ascended from there.
I found a copy of the anthology at a thrift store that has all the writers autographs.

Eolake Stobblehouse, a published finalist in v5 has a 182 word story, -Just don't-. Not a winner, but I'm sure he got the same treatment.
That's the book with K.D. Wentworth's story Daddy's Girls. She won 3rd place and ascended from there.
I found a copy of the anthology at a thrift store that has all the writers autographs.

Wow, how did I miss that? Oh, it's just 1 page. Wow. I don't see that being the case in today's anthos.
Well, I can say I just read a WotF story during my break. Haha.

KDW's story is only around 2k...

I am jealous of your signed copy. I have maybe six or seven signed anthos, but not V.5. Would love to have that one.

Thanks, storysinger. I thought I had Volume 5 but on looking, it was 3. However, I found the story online: http://stobblehouse.com/arthome/stob/justdont.html

I agree with Dustin - I can't see a winning story that short now. 350 words though? Maybe WriterGirl0426 has a chance!

Thanks, storysinger. I thought I had Volume 5 but on looking, it was 3. However, I found the story online: http://stobblehouse.com/arthome/stob/justdont.html

I agree with Dustin - I can't see a winning story that short now. 350 words though? Maybe WriterGirl0426 has a chance!

Thanks for the link, Alex. I wonder why this story got a finalist? I don’t really understand it...

Thanks, storysinger. I thought I had Volume 5 but on looking, it was 3. However, I found the story online: http://stobblehouse.com/arthome/stob/justdont.html

I agree with Dustin - I can't see a winning story that short now. 350 words though? Maybe WriterGirl0426 has a chance!

Thanks for the link, Alex. I wonder why this story got a finalist? I don’t really understand it...

I think the charm of this story only works because of its length. The story is in the subtext. Why are there memories being erased? Who are the people in charge? Who is the MC? All of this is not told to us (the reader) because the MC is going in to get the procedure done again leaving the story cut off. She'll just go back to being comfortable in her comfortable room and chair and view. It's a fascinating story to read because (correct me if I'm wrong) but aside from a bit of it in the beginning of Thanatos Drive I don't see a lot of subtext in the WotF stories. Actually in general, I've noticed a lot of modern mainstream speculative fiction seems to have done away with it unfortunately.

Just to add my two cents to this conversation. That story was a jape. AJ (Algis Budrys) was fond of them. It's important to remember the time period as well--that story got published in Volume 5. No offense, but I think it highly unlikely it would make the cut today, even as a PF. Because of the fame this contest has gathered over the decades since then, the level of writing as well as the international competition is extremely high today.

I recommend viewing these older issues for academic purposes, but a word to the wise: That was then. This is now.
All the beast!

Wulf Moon

Because of the fame this contest has gathered over the decades since then, the level of writing as well as the international competition is extremely high today.

I recommend viewing these older issues for academic purposes, but a word to the wise: That was then. This is now.
All the beast!

Wulf Moon

SO then, it could be argued that consistently maintaining a particular performance level is in actuality an improvement?

Thanks Mr. H, Blackink and Moon. And yes, Moon, I can definitely second what you said. Every year, wotf keeps on growing, in both contestants and the quality of the entries! Personally, I’d be perfectly content with an HM (though I secretly want to aim higher 

I recommend viewing these older issues for academic purposes, but a word to the wise: That was then. This is now.

True that. When writing  for the contest I stick to the latest anthologies.

SO then, it could be argued that consistently maintaining a particular performance level is in actuality an improvement?

Hahaha I like the way you think! A very optimistic way of looking at it (and probably realistic too). As Moon said, I don't think that short would ever make finalist today. Heck, I don't think a lot of the stories published 20+ years ago would see the kind of fame they did in their day now.

I recommend viewing these older issues for academic purposes, but a word to the wise: That was then. This is now.
All the beast!

Wulf Moon

Wulf: In your opinion, at which volume do we enter the "modern era" of WotF?

I recommend viewing these older issues for academic purposes, but a word to the wise: That was then. This is now.
All the beast!

Wulf Moon

Wulf: In your opinion, at which volume do we enter the "modern era" of WotF?

Volume 35, of course! 

All joking aside, always read the latest for the current trend, as much to avoid writing something similar as to see what Dave currently likes. And then go back from there, latest to last, for about five or six years. Volume 31 is an important year. My friends Steve Pantazis, Martin Shoemaker, and Kary English were published in that one, and they are all excellent writers. Plus, Kary is first reader, so you get an idea of what she likes and how she writes, which will influence her gatekeeping to some degree. Not much—it’s all about writing great pro stories—but I like to study the gatekeepers to get some idea of their leanings.

I’m not saying older volumes don’t have wonderful stories. I have many friends in them, some of them judges now. But in thirty-seven years since this contest began, market trends, writing styles, and even science has changed. Keeping up with the current is wise.

In fact, Galaxy Press has been sending you emails about bundle deals right now. At least grab up the one with the latest five volumes in it. It’s a super deal, and reading them can help you see what the contest seeks.

My very best to all of you!

Wulf Moon

Wulf: In your opinion, at which volume do we enter the "modern era" of WotF?

Hope you don't mind if I answer this as well, with my opinion.

To stay current, I'd work backwards in volumes with what Dave has selected going back to Dave's first volume from his second run. Volume 29.

All joking aside, always read the latest for the current trend, as much to avoid writing something similar as to see what Dave currently likes. And then go back from there, latest to last, for about five or six years. Volume 31 is an important year. My friends Steve Pantazis, Martin Shoemaker, and Kary English were published in that one, and they are all excellent writers. Plus, Kary is first reader, so you get an idea of what she likes and how she writes, which will influence her gatekeeping to some degree. Not much—it’s all about writing great pro stories—but I like to study the gatekeepers to get some idea of their leanings.

Wulf Moon

I agree starting from volume 31 is a good choice. (That might just be because it's the latest of the recent ones i own, though.) Not only does it have Kary's story in it, it contains several other froumites as well.

Tangentially, starting from volume 31, we have a pretty good assurance of two spots in the anthology each year (although this year, despite having lots of finalists, we've cut it pretty close).

Here's a list.

31.
Kary English
Martin Shoemaker
Sharon Joss (Golden Pen Award)
Krystal Claxton
32.
Matt Dovey (Golden Pen Award)
Stewart C. Baker
KD Julicher (PF)
33.
Sean Patrick Hazlett
Molly Elizabeth Atkins (PF)
34.
Amy Henrie Gillet
Jon Ficke
Jeremy TeGrotenhuis
Calm Sand(?)
35.
WULF MOON
Preston Denett
36.
Leah Ning
Andy Dibble
37.
KD Julicher
Brittany Rainsdon! (PF)

It's pretty cool that we can expect a winner every other quarter. So at least two spots (hopefully) ... Will it be your name this year??

Thank you for putting up that list of winners, Reuben. I was in Wordos, the Eugene Professional Writers Workshop. No physical workshop has produced more WotF winners, not by a long shot—I verified this with Joni. This is the workshop that judges David Farland, Kris Rusch, Dean Wesley Smith, and Nina Kiriki Hoffman came from. I remember my years there well. While some of us received certificates each quarter, the win ratio was around one win every three or four years while I was there.

Now look at the list Reuben posted. This online writers group has two to three winners every year. There is no other writers group on the planet that does better at winning WotF than this forum. That’s because of the quality of writers this place attracts, the tools it provides, and the camaraderie of its members that focus on helping one another instead of tearing one another down.

There is a reason we won Best Writers’ Forum of 2020 in the Critters Awards. It’s because of you.

All the beast!

Wulf Moon

And it looks like I missed at least four:

Samantha Murray and Scott Parkin, from vol. 31 (that makes six winners in one year!)

Dustin Steinacker, from vol. 33

Kyle Kirrin, from vol. 35
Can we create a record showing this year?
I sure hope so--there are many on this forum who certainly deserve to win--but to do that we've got to put forth our best stuff! (Oh, did I mention I'm twitching already?)

Great list, Reuben! How did you find all the forum winners? Did you read every post on the forum?

Great list, Reuben! How did you find all the forum winners? Did you read every post on the forum? 

Only five sixths of them, I'd say.  It's fascinating, actually, like going through a time capsule.

Hi everyone,

So, I’ve been lurking on this forum and submitting to the contest for the past 10 yrs. I’ve racked up multiple Rs, a several HMs, and 1 SHM. I’ve also submitted several stories to multiple magazines and queried a ton of agents about my novel but have only been met with rejection. At this point if I was able to sell something at a professional rate, I estimate I would be making <0.001 cent per hour for all the time I’ve spent writing. Now, money would be nice, but more importantly I’d just like people to read my work, and if they’re not (my self-published work has performed dismally – although maybe 20 or so people read it when I gave it away for free which was cool) then what’s the point? So I’m thinking about hanging it up, but before I do, since I know this forum is full of great people who’ve had publishing success, I thought I’d see if anyone would be kind enough to have a look at one of my stories and let me know what I’m doing wrong. This could be a simple as, you lost me, or I was bored by page 3; your grammar sucks (which it might since I wasn’t the most diligent high school student), or your story is cliché etc. etc. Let me know if you’re interested and how to send the story to you. Also, I know there’s probably a better forum for this post but quarterly discussions always see the most action. Additionally, I’ve read some of the past anthologies and researched what the markets/editors seem to want but admittedly haven’t written to these tastes. So my lack of publication could be attributed to something as simple as this (though I doubt it), but I really enjoy writing stories that speak to me and have a hard time trying to write something just because I know its what is in demand, although that’s probably the most commercially viable route to go. Again, let me know if you’re interested and best of luck this quarter, and stay safe and healthy out there.

Cheers,
From a Friendly Canadian

SupermanSam,

Send me a PM and I'll give you my email. I'll give it a read.

Ink

Hi everyone,

So, I’ve been lurking on this forum and submitting to the contest for the past 10 yrs. I’ve racked up multiple Rs, a several HMs, and 1 SHM. I’ve also submitted several stories to multiple magazines and queried a ton of agents about my novel but have only been met with rejection. At this point if I was able to sell something at a professional rate, I estimate I would be making <0.001 cent per hour for all the time I’ve spent writing. Now, money would be nice, but more importantly I’d just like people to read my work, and if they’re not (my self-published work has performed dismally – although maybe 20 or so people read it when I gave it away for free which was cool) then what’s the point? So I’m thinking about hanging it up, but before I do, since I know this forum is full of great people who’ve had publishing success, I thought I’d see if anyone would be kind enough to have a look at one of my stories and let me know what I’m doing wrong. This could be a simple as, you lost me, or I was bored by page 3; your grammar sucks (which it might since I wasn’t the most diligent high school student), or your story is cliché etc. etc. Let me know if you’re interested and how to send the story to you. Also, I know there’s probably a better forum for this post but quarterly discussions always see the most action. Additionally, I’ve read some of the past anthologies and researched what the markets/editors seem to want but admittedly haven’t written to these tastes. So my lack of publication could be attributed to something as simple as this (though I doubt it), but I really enjoy writing stories that speak to me and have a hard time trying to write something just because I know its what is in demand, although that’s probably the most commercially viable route to go. Again, let me know if you’re interested and best of luck this quarter, and stay safe and healthy out there.

Cheers,
From a Friendly Canadian

Please don't give up! I haven't had as much success (yet!) as some others in this forum, but I'm happy to take a look at one of your stories if you think it might help. Just PM me for my email.

Hi SupermanSam, I'm happy to take a look and give you an in-depth critique. DM me for my email address.

SupermanSam, I'd be happy to take a look at another story of yours also. Pming you my email address.

From a Friendly Canadian

Hi Friendly Canadian. I've PM'd you -and then realised, if you don't log on you'd never know.
Tim

Ok. Try again.

Anyone know when results should be in.

I have some crying to do (more now I posted this under the wrong quarter) and I thought I'd save up for one big wail.

Usually, this is the long quarter to wait for results from, because of the anthology and the gala getting set up and arranged. (April results are fairly common.)

However, they postponed both book and gala, so... I don't know!  It's anybody's guess, at this point.

So in regards to my last post, seems like I have one more story in me. Plotted it all that same day - after mulling about ideas and concepts for a few months prior - and got through 3/4 of the rough draft in the last two days. Seems like good material for WOTF so hopefully it will do well this quarter.
Cheers and good luck!

Ok. Try again.

Anyone know when results should be in.

I have some crying to do (more now I posted this under the wrong quarter) and I thought I'd save up for one big wail.

Usually, this is the long quarter to wait for results from, because of the anthology and the gala getting set up and arranged. (April results are fairly common.)

However, they postponed both book and gala, so... I don't know!  It's anybody's guess, at this point.

Fingers crossed for results in March...
But then again, the result were announced in April last year, despite the postponing of the gala. Maybe it’s because of the release of the anthology??