Number of Published Finalists

There could be several factors here. Most importantly probably is story length. If all 12 winners have very short stories, the volume will feel thin. Then they'll want to add another story or two to give readers good value for money. Conversely, if the winners write long there's no room for a published finalist.

Budget may be another constraint. Remember they give published finalists the full treatment, bringing them out for the week, recognizing them at the gala. That's an added expense. The PFs get art for their stories too, which means an artist has to be commissioned. We don't know what kind of budget they're working with but it could well be a constraint.

That said being PF was totally awesome and I hope they are able to select one for V37!

6 in a couple of volumes and 5 in a few. Ah yes - can't remember when the art kicked in. That does impact on the budget.

You'll be the one who knows all the ropes. Guess you'll take this one in a little better. I'm sure you'll enjoy it even more.

I presume that a published finalist is not disqualified? (Unless, of course, the publication of his or her story makes them "pro-out?")

I presume that a published finalist is not disqualified? (Unless, of course, the publication of his or her story makes them "pro-out?")

KD was a published finalist before she won

Cool! KD, I believe that you are the most experienced among all forumites. I bet it was a wonderful experience, being a published finalist! Did the published finalists receive a trophy and give a speech at the gala?

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Here, you can see for yourself! (2:02:40)

Cool! KD, I believe that you are the most experienced among all forumites. I bet it was a wonderful experience, being a published finalist! Did the published finalists receive a trophy and give a speech at the gala?

Dustin posted a link but yes, you do! It’s the whole experience just the same as for the winners. Workshop, art, award, time rubbing shoulders with pro writers... the only difference is you don’t win money (but do get paid pro rates for your story despite what The Grinder says) and you are not disqualified from entering. Unless as said before it would cause you to pro out.

I definitely recommend the experience but it’s even less common than actually winning!

Dustin, thanks for the video you posted. I hope I’ll see you someday in LA, getting the honor that you deserve!

And KD, I’m so glad that you have another opportunity to experience the whole wonderful event again! It sounds awesome to me! Oh, and do published finalists have to be fourth place winners? Or would the judges pick a fifth or sixth or...finalist to be published? And are you the first to win the contest after being a published finalist?
PS. I loved the title of your PF story! So dramatic, so intriguing!

Hermoine,

I don't know if the 4th place finishers are the PF, but I don't think they consider final placement / rank when filling out the volume. They'll go by story length or shoring up a weakness (needs more fantasy, choose a fantasy story).

That said, my first finalist was 4th place. Joni told me they had selected one PF and I was next in line if there was room in the volume. There wasn't. (Yes, I'm totally a former HS quarterback reliving his glory days)

My 2nd was held, but wasn't 4th place. It wasn't selected, but another story from that quarter was PF. I don't know if it was 4th place or not.

Long story short. I don't know. Maybe Kate knows more?

Hermione, I am definitely not the first PF to win the contest later. But I am the first in a long time. Eric James Stone and Floris (can’t recall his last name) were both PFs and then winners the following year about fifteen years ago. They were the last before me. Remember when you are PF you are so close to proing out. I would probably have pro’d out if I could have learned to write shorter stories! But I’m a novelist at heart and my winning story, at 5k, is astonishingly short for me.

I think you’d really like my PF story! It’s long and epic and romantic. My winner is not

I enjoyed watching your acceptance speech KD. Now we get to watch you get another trophy, you so fly. Thanks for the link Dustin.

Hermoine,

I don't know if the 4th place finishers are the PF, but I don't think they consider final placement / rank when filling out the volume. They'll go by story length or shoring up a weakness (needs more fantasy, choose a fantasy story).

That said, my first finalist was 4th place. Joni told me they had selected one PF and I was next in line if there was room in the volume. There wasn't. (Yes, I'm totally a former HS quarterback reliving his glory days)

My 2nd was held, but wasn't 4th place. It wasn't selected, but another story from that quarter was PF. I don't know if it was 4th place or not.

Long story short. I don't know. Maybe Kate knows more?

Ok, thanks So you were a finalist twice? That’s a huge achievement! I hope your next will be the win

Hermione, I am definitely not the first PF to win the contest later. But I am the first in a long time. Eric James Stone and Floris (can’t recall his last name) were both PFs and then winners the following year about fifteen years ago. They were the last before me. Remember when you are PF you are so close to proing out. I would probably have pro’d out if I could have learned to write shorter stories! But I’m a novelist at heart and my winning story, at 5k, is astonishingly short for me.

I think you’d really like my PF story! It’s long and epic and romantic. My winner is not
Thanks KD. Sorry if my question sounds silly, but I didn’t see anyone discussing about PFs in the forum. You are a novelist who can write a 5k story? Wow...I've written a 70k novel, and I find it so difficult to write a story under 17k. My submission Q1 was 11k, Q2 12k. Perhaps the judges might not like stories that are too lengthy...but I do see a few long stories in the anthologies

V37: R, R, R, R
V38: R, R, HM, R
V39:

Author of The Otherworld Trilogy
Book 1: In the Name of the Otherworld (https://www.amazon.com/Name-Otherworld-Hermione-Lee/dp/1955086362)
Book 2: Marvels of the Underworld (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1956788689?ref_=dbs_m_mng_wim_calw_tpbk_1&storeType=ebooks)
Book 3 I&II: War of the Chaotic Worlds (TBA)

Recipient of the Literary Titan Silver Award in September 2021
Recipient of Best Sci-fi and Fantasy Novel and Best Young Adult Book in the 24th Critters Annual Readers Poll (2021-2022)
Winner of the 2021 Paranormal Romance Guild Reviewers’ Choice Awards (Best YA/NA Novel)

 

Cool! KD, I believe that you are the most experienced among all forumites. I bet it was a wonderful experience, being a published finalist! Did the published finalists receive a trophy and give a speech at the gala?

Dustin posted a link but yes, you do! It’s the whole experience just the same as for the winners. Workshop, art, award, time rubbing shoulders with pro writers... the only difference is you don’t win money (but do get paid pro rates for your story despite what The Grinder says) and you are not disqualified from entering. Unless as said before it would cause you to pro out.

I definitely recommend the experience but it’s even less common than actually winning!

How wonderful! I love the notebook idea.