Hang in there - we'll all get through this

Posted by: @karyenglish

Hey, all,

I just wanted to drop the forum a quick note to say that even in the middle of such unexpected heartbreak, the contest has got this. The folks at Galaxy Press and ASI have been been hard at work, making sure everything's under control and preparing the way for a smooth transition to the next coordinating judge.

I will start slushing as soon as I'm back from the funeral. The basics of what the contest is looking for will not change.

Hang in there, everyone. Keep writing. Make Dave proud!

Love and light to you all,

Kary

Thank you for updating the Forum, Kary. And thank you for supporting the family at the funeral. Please give our love and condolences to Dave's family, and especially to Dave's wife, Mary. Dave meant a great deal to all of us, and he couldn't have done all that he did for everyone else without Mary's love, sacrifice, and support. 

Warmth and sunshine in this dark time,

Moon

Posted by: @karyenglish

Hey, all,

I just wanted to drop the forum a quick note to say that even in the middle of such unexpected heartbreak, the contest has got this. The folks at Galaxy Press and ASI have been been hard at work, making sure everything's under control and preparing the way for a smooth transition to the next coordinating judge.

I will start slushing as soon as I'm back from the funeral. The basics of what the contest is looking for will not change.

Hang in there, everyone. Keep writing. Make Dave proud!

Love and light to you all,

Kary

Thank you Kary for this update.

Of course, our thoughts and prayers are with Dave's family. Great to know that something like WotF that Dave obviously believed in will continue to shine.

S

I've been thinking a lot about this, while I tried to get my writing to click again--which it really didn't want to. But I learned a lot from Dave, and nothing that's been learned is lost. The way he liked to write, and to see people write--which I recall him describing as him having something along the lines of "fortunately common taste", which I'm sure I have failed to adequately paraphrase--all remains true. And regardless of all else, even though he's no longer going to be reading my entries into the Contest, trying to write a story that he would love still seems to me to be a quite wonderful target to aim for.

This idea clicked for me this evening, and after it did, I found it reinvigorated my writing mojo a little--I was able to return to working on my Q2 without feeling like it was just adrift, and even wrote some things I actually liked. So my whole plan for now is to keep on writing a story with Dave in mind, as if he was still going to be the one judging it. Come what may, with that in mind, I feel I won't be steered wrong--and when I'm done, one way or another, I'll hopefully come out of it with a story I can be proud of.

Posted by: @karyenglish

Hey, all,

I just wanted to drop the forum a quick note to say that even in the middle of such unexpected heartbreak, the contest has got this. The folks at Galaxy Press and ASI have been been hard at work, making sure everything's under control and preparing the way for a smooth transition to the next coordinating judge.

I will start slushing as soon as I'm back from the funeral. The basics of what the contest is looking for will not change.

Hang in there, everyone. Keep writing. Make Dave proud!

Love and light to you all,

Kary

Kary, thank you so much for updating us. And I appreciate the Galaxy Press folks to keep the contest together despite the occurrence of such a tragedy. You are extremely devoted to helping new writers no matter what. Dave would be so proud of you all ❤️

Thanks for your update, @karyenglish. Safe travels... my condolences to Dave's family and close friends. Dave's legacy lives on in you. Love and light, Amy

@dragonchef lol. I had been think the same, but from a selfish perspective I am not sure what that would do on my qualification for Q1. 

So what happens if new judge is added after the contest submission date if people privately shared stories with them?

However I have been holding off my question before now to give Galaxy Press and ASI time.

@dragonchef my guess would be Jody Lynn Nye. She judged the Mike Resnick contest.

@crlisle Or maybe Kary English.

Has it officially become "Judge-O-Mancy" time now? Oh goodie! Here's my magic 8 ball prediction...

"Tim Powers becomes the contest's new coordinating judge."

Thanks for the update, Kary!

I was half expecting that the contest might have to hold off for a quarter or two. Dave had such a tremendous role, it would have been completely understandable to put the contest on hold while things got set in order. I'm glad to hear things are still moving forward; I'm sure that Dave would have wanted it that way.  

Since we're making guesses I'll go with Kevin J Anderson or Brandon Sanderson.

Whoever gets the job must have extensive experience at editing.

Maybe it's time to have more than one coordinator. It's all speculation at this time.

@karyenglish Thanks for the update, and don’t worry about rushing things. We all understand how much a part of the contest Dave was and expect some bumps and bruises coming into v39. Although we are moving on, it goes with a heavy heart.

I was thinking Brandon Sanderson. But I also think Dean Wesley Smith, Kevin J. Anderson, Orson Scott Card, Rebecca Moesta, and Tim Powers are possible candidates. Since Jody's the judge of another contest, I'm not sure if she'll judge this one. 

Something to keep in mind, the Coordinating Judge role involves just a huge amount of time. And a very special person. There are a lot of great writers out there who would be a poor fit - someone like Brandon Sanderson likely couldn't take on another major role, for instance. I am certain that the Contest will be put into very capable hands. It's a mark of a great leader that when he or she passes on or steps down, that others rise to the challenge. Anything that falls apart with the loss of one man or woman is flawed from the get-go.

And of course we have Kary and Joni and John and everyone else there to help ensure continuity. 

(Personally, I think Rebecca Moesta might make an amazing head judge. She's quite a person!)

Thank you Kary for the reassurances and for everything you do for the contest. I’ll be thinking of you and all of Dave’s family and friends as he is laid to rest. 

@kd-julicher 

I didn’t know Brandon Sanderson was taking on a major role. Not sure of this about the coordinating judge, but s/he has to be fair, right? For example, even if s/he prefers sci-fi, s/he cannot select 8 stories with the majority being the same genre or subgenre?

So maybe it will be team Anderson. Rebecca and KJ, with Kary as first reader.

As the contest moves forward, patience and understanding will be needed by everyone involved.

Posted by: @hermionelee

@kd-julicher 

 

I didn’t know Brandon Sanderson was taking on a major role. Not sure of this about the coordinating judge, but s/he has to be fair, right? For example, even if s/he prefers sci-fi, s/he cannot select 8 stories with the majority being the same genre or subgenre?

Sorry! I should clarify that I meant, coordinating judge IS a major role, and I can't imagine Brandon Sanderson being able to take that on as well as everything else - but who knows, I could be wrong! I know absolutely nothing more than the rest of you.

I would hope the coordinating judge follows Dave's example but s/he will of course bring his/her own spin to things. I know in Dave's era it has been easier to reach finalist with a fantasy story than under K. D. Wentworth. Perhaps a different judge will feel the best eight stories regardless of genre should be chosen, or see genre with different eyes than Dave. 

I'm sure the Contest will survive and thrive but I'm very sad just thinking of another coordinating judge.

Posted by: @kd-julicher

Posted by: @hermionelee

@kd-julicher 

 

I didn’t know Brandon Sanderson was taking on a major role. Not sure of this about the coordinating judge, but s/he has to be fair, right? For example, even if s/he prefers sci-fi, s/he cannot select 8 stories with the majority being the same genre or subgenre?

Sorry! I should clarify that I meant, coordinating judge IS a major role, and I can't imagine Brandon Sanderson being able to take that on as well as everything else - but who knows, I could be wrong! I know absolutely nothing more than the rest of you.

 

I would hope the coordinating judge follows Dave's example but s/he will of course bring his/her own spin to things. I know in Dave's era it has been easier to reach finalist with a fantasy story than under K. D. Wentworth. Perhaps a different judge will feel the best eight stories regardless of genre should be chosen, or see genre with different eyes than Dave. 

 

I'm sure the Contest will survive and thrive but I'm very sad just thinking of another coordinating judge.

Aww, I know…. 😭  I don’t want to think about Dave being replaced by a new judge, either. I do hope s/he will stick to the way Dave did, but of course, I will respect his/her way of doing things no matter what.

Just noticed we don’t have a sad emoji here in the forum. Only smiles and angry faces

I'm sure the new judge/s will do a terrific job and have their own spin on things.

As @StorySinger mentioned, patience and understanding will be needed. Things might not run perfectly in a transition. It would be great to see lots of encouragement toward the contest from those of us wishing to enter.

Okay your wait is over... 

I posted a new thread here:

https://www.writersofthefuture.com/forum/the-contest-quarterly-topics-and-other-items/jody-lynn-nye-announced-as-writers-of-the-future-coordinating-judge/#post-43876

And the official press release is here:

https://www.writersofthefuture.com/jody-lynn-nye-announced-as-writers-of-the-future-coordinating-judge/

Best, Jason

Yay! I was hoping! Welcome Jody Lynn Nye! 

Congratulations Jody Lynn Nye.  

Posted by: @jason

Okay your wait is over... 

I posted a new thread here:

https://www.writersofthefuture.com/forum/the-contest-quarterly-topics-and-other-items/jody-lynn-nye-announced-as-writers-of-the-future-coordinating-judge/#post-43876

And the official press release is here:

https://www.writersofthefuture.com/jody-lynn-nye-announced-as-writers-of-the-future-coordinating-judge/

Best, Jason

Thank you, Jason.😊