Discussion: Q2, Volume 36

I had problems subbing for two quarters until I read the instructions. A change in management or web hosts made it where everyone had to enter their info again as if it was the first time. I too tried the forgot my password but it didn't help. Since then everything works as it should.

I wonder if we'll get a Thursday this week? It feels like we must be getting close...

I wonder if we'll get a Thursday this week? It feels like we must be getting close...

Close, certainly, but I'll not hold my breath yet. (Aside from to dive into my final push for Q3, that is.)

I wonder if we'll get a Thursday this week? It feels like we must be getting close...

Someone said July.

I wonder if we'll get a Thursday this week? It feels like we must be getting close...

Someone said July.

All I know for certain is that in the trio of rapidfire e-mails that went out, Joni was encouraging us not to wait for results before submitting again. Implies results after the start of Q4 to me.

Anyone read Dave's tip today? Sounds like he's close to finishing judging (unless this is a recycled tip, I've read similar thoughts from him before.)

https://mystorydoctor.com/powerful-openings-2/ - for anyone who wants to read the tea leaves.

I wonder if we'll get a Thursday this week? It feels like we must be getting close...

Someone said July.

Yes. I had to ask her about a submission problem and also asked about results. This was June 13. She replied "another month."

Anyone read Dave's tip today? Sounds like he's close to finishing judging (unless this is a recycled tip, I've read similar thoughts from him before.)

https://mystorydoctor.com/powerful-openings-2/ - for anyone who wants to read the tea leaves.

My thoughts on the matter are: I'm 90% certain it's a recycled tip, but he also may have recycled it for a reason.

Shame we can't post opening lines or any sniff of our entries. Surely judges don't really look at the forums?

Shame we can't post opening lines or any sniff of our entries. Surely judges don't really look at the forums?

Well, Kary English, the contest First Reader, certainly comes by on occasion. I think it's better safe than sorry although honestly saying "my piece was SF and had a galactic empire" is probably fine. "My piece was a post-singularity starpunk story about a space clown saving penguin-people from an asteroid strike" is probably too precise.

"My piece was a post-singularity starpunk story about a space clown saving penguin-people from an asteroid strike" is probably too precise.

You stole my story idea!!!

That gave me a good chuckle.

Shame we can't post opening lines or any sniff of our entries. Surely judges don't really look at the forums?

"My piece was a post-singularity starpunk story about a space clown saving penguin-people from an asteroid strike" is probably too precise.

Damn - yet another comic writer!

I turned in Q3
So I AM READY!
Bring on the Twitching for Q2!!!

That's how it works, right? You have to turn in the current quarter before you get to twitch about the previous one, or am I doing it wrong?

Hmm... So I now have two stories in the contest at the same time. Seems like its been a while since that has happened. But I haven't been paying attention as much as I used to.

I turned in Q3
So I AM READY!
Bring on the Twitching for Q2!!!

That's how it works, right? You have to turn in the current quarter before you get to twitch about the previous one, or am I doing it wrong?

Not this quarter, you're not.

Hmm... So I now have two stories in the contest at the same time. Seems like its been a while since that has happened. But I haven't been paying attention as much as I used to.

It happened to me last quarter too, but it is the first time I've seen this happen two quarters in a row when I was active on the forums. I'd assume Dave and Kary are both busy with other things, which has caused the contest judging to be delayed. (Hell, they may simply need a break. I can't blame them, if that's the case.)

If someone submits their Q4 this coming week, they might even have three in queue.

I'm starting to twitch, though it's like a murmur right now. Think it was Beth Powers that wrote earlier in this thread that she had had responses for previous Q2s come back through end of July. So we could still be in for a decently long wait... *sigh*

Once or twice I almost had three in the queue but lately it seems that it's been one. Not complaining about it just saying, Hmmm. Who knows-the Shadow do-Q3's may need to be withdrawn. But we shall see.

If someone submits their Q4 this coming week, they might even have three in queue.

Just did that.

If someone submits their Q4 this coming week, they might even have three in queue.

I'm starting to twitch, though it's like a murmur right now. Think it was Beth Powers that wrote earlier in this thread that she had had responses for previous Q2s come back through end of July. So we could still be in for a decently long wait... *sigh*

Just so you don't twitch too much, I even had one in September! But, yeah, most were between the end of May and the end of July...

Just so you don't twitch too much, I even had one in September!

I'm not twitching. Why would I be twitching? I'm--I'm not--

I'm not twitching. Why would I be twitching? I'm--I'm not--

LOL... I'm also not compulsively checking my email account twice every day (more on Thursdays) and hoping NOT to have a new message there...

I'm not twitching. Why would I be twitching? I'm--I'm not--

LOL... I'm also not compulsively checking my email account twice every day (more on Thursdays) and hoping NOT to have a new message there...

I usually check here first. If there is no chatter about results coming in, then I tentatively look at my email. And twice a day would be a conservative number for me.

I'm not twitching. Why would I be twitching? I'm--I'm not--

LOL... I'm also not compulsively checking my email account twice every day (more on Thursdays) and hoping NOT to have a new message there...

I usually check here first. If there is no chatter about results coming in, then I tentatively look at my email. And twice a day would be a conservative number for me.

I've been checking both obsessively all day. I'm not really expecting anything on the week of the 4th, but I have multiple stories out to various markets that have been out and about for awhile. Usually, the broad spread means less twitching, but I've got my hopes up about a couple of submissions elsewhere and that combined with the usual WotF tension has left me super twitchy.

Results so far have come during the night for me since I'm in the CET timezone. So this past week I've checked my emails immediately the moment I've woken up.

good Luck everyone!!!!!

I'm not twitching. Why would I be twitching? I'm--I'm not--

LOL... I'm also not compulsively checking my email account twice every day (more on Thursdays) and hoping NOT to have a new message there...

Thats right, they usually send out the HMs first. So getting a mail straight up would mean you didn't win.

I wouldn't start twitching until the end of July. In the meantime, focus your energy on creating more than one Q4. According to first reader Kary, Vol. 35's Q4 was the toughest Q of the year. She said it was like everyone had saved up their best for last, and she had to weed out stories that would have made HM in other quarters, they were all so good. There's a reason for this. People know--like I did--it's your last chance for the year. Everyone that consistently enters knows Q4 is do or die. They will be trying extra hard.

You have to try harder.

Don't look behind. Look forward. Make your Q4 your best story ever. Make two. Make three. And choose the best of the lot to submit.

All the beast!

Wulf Moon

I wouldn't start twitching until the end of July.

Too late. (Usually having multiple submissions out lessons the twitching for me, but I've got several stories that have been floating in the ether for longer than normal and it's starting to make things worse instead of easier.)

Hmm, I should be twitching but for some reason I am forgetting about 2. But I need to be sending out other stories to other markets this week. I got time to send out 11 or more. If I get myself to do it. That does not count WotF either. Different ideas like a minor contest for Zombies at the beach, too.