Discussion: Q3 Volume 39

Posted by: @axeminister

I'm sure Joni will confirm to you, but she has said to several inquiries that I'm aware of that flash does not count. It's not, in the eyes of the contest's definition, a count-against-your-total sale.

I'd be at 3 if it was. Far as I understand, I'm at 0.

That was my understanding until there was a big announcement at DragonCon (I think??) that "The contest is taking flash now". While they always did, I wondered if that announcement meant the qualifying sales rule had shifted too. 

Posted by: @rschibler

As for #5, I have a number of stories that aren't trunked but are out of suitable markets - I keep them around in case there's an anthology that they fit or a new market opens up.

Right. That's what I've been doing, too. About half of my stories are actually aimed at an upcoming self-published anthology Tales of Verdant, all placed on the same future world. The others will likely accumulate to another anthology.

I asked Joni specifically about flash before, and she said they don’t count it. You should be good!

Q3 submitted! whew!

@cweaver Way to go.

In for Q3, and very pleased with my story. Feels like my best yet, at least for this contest. We shall see. Onward!

Posted by: @rschibler

Posted by: @axeminister

I'm sure Joni will confirm to you, but she has said to several inquiries that I'm aware of that flash does not count. It's not, in the eyes of the contest's definition, a count-against-your-total sale.

I'd be at 3 if it was. Far as I understand, I'm at 0.

That was my understanding until there was a big announcement at DragonCon (I think??) that "The contest is taking flash now". While they always did, I wondered if that announcement meant the qualifying sales rule had shifted too. 

Aah. Gotcha.

That would be a rough change. Then the question would be when. Starting with the announcement any sales, or going back? That would DQ a bunch of people immediately.

I have a feeling it's just a reminder/announcement to request people submit what they might not have otherwise.

Right now, the read of the rules doesn't include flash fiction -- after all, "flash fiction" and "short story" have distinct and different meanings in our professional nomenclature, and the rules only mention the latter. And...

Hmmm.

I was just about to refer to the SFWA here, as they used to have their rules based in number of sales at pro-rate and above 1000 words, but it looks like their rules have changed since March this year, and now it appears that their criteria are rooted in total earnings from genre fiction sales instead, regardless of rate or length. It still makes reference to the markets, but it looks like you may be able to qualify for SFWA membership from cumulative sales to any market now, not just the pro-rate ones, though I'm absolutely going to reach out and ask about this to be certain of that.

Okay, 5 days left... Just saying... If anyone needs tech help or has issues reach out to me as I am here to help as needed.

I'm in for 3rd qtr 2022!  

@jason I know that when I hit submit at the final stage of entry that is it. Done. But... I can't help but think that there should be a way to update your entry up to the cut-off date.  I'm one of those writers who edit, a lot. Can you say obsessive-compulsive?  I know I hit submit too early and have updates to my story. My fault and I'll live with it. But... 

@toddjones that is not a bad idea. I will see if the submission system allows the story to be updated while the submission window is still open. Not sure if that is an option or not, but I hear you and will check it out. If you really want you can PM the updated and I can switch it out in the back end for you...

Posted by: @jason

@toddjones that is not a bad idea. I will see if the submission system allows the story to be updated while the submission window is still open. Not sure if that is an option or not, but I hear you and will check it out. If you really want you can PM the updated and I can switch it out in the back end for you...

Very kind of you, Jason. You always serve so well here.

However, this submission issue echoes what happens out there in the marketing world. Nearly all the magazines strongly discourage (or deny) resubmissions. They usually say, "Write it right, and give us your best shot first."

Posted by: @toddjones

@jason I know that when I hit submit at the final stage of entry that is it. Done. But... I can't help but think that there should be a way to update your entry up to the cut-off date.  I'm one of those writers who edit, a lot. Can you say obsessive-compulsive?  I know I hit submit too early and have updates to my story. My fault and I'll live with it. But... 

I can't imagine that Kary waits until after the deadline to begin reading stories, but I could be wrong. With so many entries each quarter, if it were me, I'd start reading as soon as they started coming in just to get through them all. That could explain why there are no re-submissions after you enter.

I'm in for Q3. Let the little Kraken sail.

It's always nice when you enjoyed writing a story. I really did with this one.

@morgan-broadhead think I'd do the same. 

@toddjones After checking into this further once it is submitted it rolls into a series of automated steps that won't allow the story to be updated.

Again if someone makes a mistake I can manually switch it out if it has not already moved on to review. That being said double check your story before you click the SUBMIT!

Good luck!

Posted by: @toddjones

@jason I know that when I hit submit at the final stage of entry that is it. Done. But... I can't help but think that there should be a way to update your entry up to the cut-off date.  I'm one of those writers who edit, a lot. Can you say obsessive-compulsive?  I know I hit submit too early and have updates to my story. My fault and I'll live with it. But... 

Ha, I'm the same way! Drives my trusted critique partners crazy ... "no, read this one instead". But I used to over-edit. Almost ruined a great story's ending one time ... fortunately one of my first readers said, "Change it back!" They were right. Haven't done that since, so maybe an old dog can still learn.

Good luck everyone on Q3!

Posted by: @scott_m_sands

I'm in for Q3. Let the little Kraken sail.

It's always nice when you enjoyed writing a story. I really did with this one.

I loved the read I got of your story. Good luck!

Still editing Q3. I think I can . .I need those new reading glasses.

I'm in for Q3. Best of luck everyone!

@lost_bard 

Thanks, David!
That's really encouraging.

@craydimensional I had the same problem last quarter. 

Despite my insistence that I'll wait until the very last minute to submit, I'm now officially IN for Q3!

Onward and upward now for Q4.

In for Q3! This was a squeaker. Drafted, critiques, revisions, polish all over the course of 2 weeks. Love when the stars align and it comes together quickly! It was an idea I've been sitting on a while, so I think my subconscious has been noodling/planning to help it flow when I actually sat down to write. Good luck everyone!

Posted by: @ehonour

Posted by: @jason

@toddjones that is not a bad idea. I will see if the submission system allows the story to be updated while the submission window is still open. Not sure if that is an option or not, but I hear you and will check it out. If you really want you can PM the updated and I can switch it out in the back end for you...

Very kind of you, Jason. You always serve so well here.

However, this submission issue echoes what happens out there in the marketing world. Nearly all the magazines strongly discourage (or deny) resubmissions. They usually say, "Write it right, and give us your best shot first."

I agree, once submitted to a market it is submitted and done.

Hence my, "My fault and I'll live with it."

Posted by: @dommichaels

Posted by: @toddjones

@jason I know that when I hit submit at the final stage of entry that is it. Done. But... I can't help but think that there should be a way to update your entry up to the cut-off date.  I'm one of those writers who edit, a lot. Can you say obsessive-compulsive?  I know I hit submit too early and have updates to my story. My fault and I'll live with it. But... 

Ha, I'm the same way! Drives my trusted critique partners crazy ... "no, read this one instead". But I used to over-edit. Almost ruined a great story's ending one time ... fortunately one of my first readers said, "Change it back!" They were right. Haven't done that since, so maybe an old dog can still learn.

Good luck everyone on Q3!

The changes I made, since hitting the final submit too early, don't kill the story.  Just refine it.  So, "My fault and I'll live with it."

Posted by: @morgan-broadhead

Despite my insistence that I'll wait until the very last minute to submit, I'm now officially IN for Q3!

Ha, Morgan! Got you beat by a day, because I'm not putting mine in until tomorrow. I'm still waiting to see if I get another critique from my online group...  

I'm in. Time to look at prompts for qtr 4

Submitted! Huzzah! I'm feeling good about this one.

Maybe not a full, Wulf style write-my-acceptance-speech-now sort of optimism, but feeling pretty good all the same. 😎 

Best of luck to all!