NEW USERS! INTRODUCE YOURSELVES!

Welcome to the forum Heidi. Now that break time is over, enjoy the community of like-minded people.

@heidi Welcome. 

This forum changed my perspective on writing. Greatest source of free writing skill improvement sources I've found. The forum users are very helpful too.

@shane-bzdok 

Welcome, Shane!

You did the right thing, focusing on your craft and the essential elements of successful stories. It’s why your first entries placed so high.

Keep learning as you write. Do take the online WotF workshop if you haven’t already. And keep making application of knowledge through writing fresh stories. The more we practice, the more we learn, the faster we move forward.

You ARE a writer. Never doubt that.

All the beast! 🐺

Posted by: @heidi

↑

Hello! I’m Heidi. I’m coming back to writing after a 15 year break for school / career / kids. I have been learning a ton from you all over the last week after discovering this forum. You all seem awesome!

Welcome back to writing, Heidi!

You have come to the right place to put wind in those sails! Don’t miss taking the WotF Online Workshop—the best in the biz teach that, and you end up with a story you can submit!

Keep moving forward by writing fresh stories that test your skills and push the boundaries of your imagination—so important. And watch your contest results. They’re a great way to gauge your advancement!

All the beast!🐺

@heidi Hello Heidi! Welcome! (AND welcome back to the writing life)

@heidi Welcome!😃 Nice to meet you! 

Took awhile but finally figured out how to reply. Heyla! I am a new user of this forum. Not new to the contest or the books, or to writing. I have run writing groups, helped people around the world, and still working on getting published myself. Trying to figure out if my few short stories out there are considered published, but looks like nothing I have done negates me entering the contest. I did not get the required payment level on anything, and self-published a novel on Amazon Kindle. Atahualpa's Mummy. I think we are at 38 readers? lol. My co-author and I are working hard to finish the 2nd and 3rd of the 3 book series. Should be out early next year if we stick to the plan. But you all understand plans, right? I have some awards from other contests through the years, and just sold...I think sold would be the correct term, a short story to a new anthology worked on by a friend. No pmt and no contract yet, but they needed one more so I sent them something and they loved it. Who knew I could write horror?

Anyway, ummmmm, did I say heyla to you all? Heyla! Off to check out this strange forum set up.

Hello Everyone,
I feel like I found the 'write' place at the 'write' time, I had started this year to really dig into writing more, and I had a short story that I had been working on for a while. Then WOTF appeared on a contest search site, I clicked it, and there was still time to submit a story for Q3.
I looked at my folder of stories, and I had a short story that just needed some dusting off. So I dusted it off and submitted, I couldn't believe it to be honest
I am so grateful to have found this contest, and I look forward to being part of this lovely creative community, and hopefully make some new author friends as well.

Happy Friday.

Welcome to the forum (@the_nadus). Hope your story places for you.

@paintminion Welcome.

@the_nadus Welcome. This is the largest international new writers contest I know of. Great forum, awesome free courses with tons of tips, and a contest that has launched many writing careers.

@paintminion 

Welcome to the Forum, Susan! With a name like Wachowski, you've got my attention!

While you've had some publishing credits, none of them sound like pro credits as defined by the WotF rules, which are basically SFWA's standards. Your "amateur" status is intact, and you can actually have several pro sales before you would be considered a pro and disqualified from entering. So have at it!

Do look around and soak up the tips from everyone here. Lots of helpful information to help you succeed.

Welcome aboard!

@the_nadus 

Welcome to the Forum, Nadus!

You have found the right place to write! Do take the free WotF Online Workshop--it will help you understand what's needed to craft a working story, and it's taught by some of the best!

Have fun reading the posts here. There's lots of specific details on the nuances of this contest and what it takes to win.

Best of success and welcome aboard!

Well I had a whole intro written and the forum lost it, so I better make sure that I tell the same tall tales here in case that one comes back. 

I’m Désirée Matlock. I believe I’ve been published too much to qualify for the contest. All small presses. Mostly sci fi and paranormal thriller. Some urban fantasy. Basically, I write whatever I’m asked for. 

I’ve taken both the external WOTF workshops held here in Clearwater. One with Wolverton and one with Card. Very valuable data. I am a founding member of a writing group called the Ink Slingers Guild, and highly recommend writing with your friends. I’m on the board of a literary nonprofit called Wordier Than Thou, which stimulates authorship and literary arts throughout the Tampa Bay Area. I was probably invited because I’m fearless and none of the other members (being from academia and journalism) particularly wanted to be hosting panels, open mics and plays. Kidding, but, as a result of the staged events and mentoring sessions, I’ve fostered several other authors in the area through to publication. It’s highly rewarding. I’m sure there’s more. I don’t care about what I’ve already done; it’s all about future, yes?

My own writing is rarely what I want it to be. At some point, I just let go and submit, and try not to look at it again unless the editor wants changes. Because our best work always lies ahead.

I’m honored to be here and plan to soak up all of your best advice like a sponge.

Love, Des

P.S. I’ve read and own almost every volume. I’m the biggest fan ever. 

@esireeday welcome.  Congrats on the publishing.  Glad you continue to support WotF.

Posted by: @the_nadus

↑

Hello Everyone,
I feel like I found the 'write' place at the 'write' time, I had started this year to really dig into writing more, and I had a short story that I had been working on for a while. Then WOTF appeared on a contest search site, I clicked it, and there was still time to submit a story for Q3.
I looked at my folder of stories, and I had a short story that just needed some dusting off. So I dusted it off and submitted, I couldn't believe it to be honest
I am so grateful to have found this contest, and I look forward to being part of this lovely creative community, and hopefully make some new author friends as well.

Happy Friday.

Posted by: @esireeday

↑

Well I had a whole intro written and the forum lost it, so I better make sure that I tell the same tall tales here in case that one comes back. 

I’m Désirée Matlock. I believe I’ve been published too much to qualify for the contest. All small presses. Mostly sci fi and paranormal thriller. Some urban fantasy. Basically, I write whatever I’m asked for. 

I’ve taken both the external WOTF workshops held here in Clearwater. One with Wolverton and one with Card. Very valuable data. I am a founding member of a writing group called the Ink Slingers Guild, and highly recommend writing with your friends. I’m on the board of a literary nonprofit called Wordier Than Thou, which stimulates authorship and literary arts throughout the Tampa Bay Area. I was probably invited because I’m fearless and none of the other members (being from academia and journalism) particularly wanted to be hosting panels, open mics and plays. Kidding, but, as a result of the staged events and mentoring sessions, I’ve fostered several other authors in the area through to publication. It’s highly rewarding. I’m sure there’s more. I don’t care about what I’ve already done; it’s all about future, yes?

My own writing is rarely what I want it to be. At some point, I just let go and submit, and try not to look at it again unless the editor wants changes. Because our best work always lies ahead.

I’m honored to be here and plan to soak up all of your best advice like a sponge.

Love, Des

P.S. I’ve read and own almost every volume. I’m the biggest fan ever. 

Hi Everyone,

I found a copy of WOTF Vol. 37 in a Little Free Library a few months back and have been hooked ever since. My collection of volumes has since grown to half a dozen (RIP other books donated in the name of shelf space), and I’m ready to see if I can add one to the collection that contains a story of my own. 

I’ve written a couple manuscripts and dabbled in short stories over the past 4 years, but rarely submitted anything. I’m looking to increase that with WOTF and hopefully connect with some like-minded folks. Based on the stories in my collection and the insights I’ve read on this forum, I’m confident I picked a good place!

@mulch Welcome. You made a good choice to join the forum. It's full of free lessons (yep free) and helpful people (double yep on helpful).

Have fun, write, and submit.

Posted by: @esireeday

↑

Well I had a whole intro written and the forum lost it, so I better make sure that I tell the same tall tales here in case that one comes back. 

I’m Désirée Matlock. I believe I’ve been published too much to qualify for the contest. All small presses. Mostly sci fi and paranormal thriller. Some urban fantasy. Basically, I write whatever I’m asked for. 

I’ve taken both the external WOTF workshops held here in Clearwater. One with Wolverton and one with Card. Very valuable data. I am a founding member of a writing group called the Ink Slingers Guild, and highly recommend writing with your friends. I’m on the board of a literary nonprofit called Wordier Than Thou, which stimulates authorship and literary arts throughout the Tampa Bay Area. I was probably invited because I’m fearless and none of the other members (being from academia and journalism) particularly wanted to be hosting panels, open mics and plays. Kidding, but, as a result of the staged events and mentoring sessions, I’ve fostered several other authors in the area through to publication. It’s highly rewarding. I’m sure there’s more. I don’t care about what I’ve already done; it’s all about future, yes?

My own writing is rarely what I want it to be. At some point, I just let go and submit, and try not to look at it again unless the editor wants changes. Because our best work always lies ahead.

I’m honored to be here and plan to soak up all of your best advice like a sponge.

Love, Des

P.S. I’ve read and own almost every volume. I’m the biggest fan ever. 

Welcome, Desiree,

I believe you may NOT be disqualified from entering the contest. Small presses don't often pay 8 cents a word and sell 5000 copies. I bet if you looked closely at the rules, you'd find you're good to go. 

At any rate, glad to have you with us! It sounds like you have a lot of experience helping writers, which is what we're all about!

All the beast!

Wulf Moon

Posted by: @mulch

↑

Hi Everyone,

I found a copy of WOTF Vol. 37 in a Little Free Library a few months back and have been hooked ever since. My collection of volumes has since grown to half a dozen (RIP other books donated in the name of shelf space), and I’m ready to see if I can add one to the collection that contains a story of my own. 

I’ve written a couple manuscripts and dabbled in short stories over the past 4 years, but rarely submitted anything. I’m looking to increase that with WOTF and hopefully connect with some like-minded folks. Based on the stories in my collection and the insights I’ve read on this forum, I’m confident I picked a good place!

You HAVE picked a good place, A.M.! This is THE place to go if you'd like to learn how to write stories that can win Writers of the Future and launch your career.

Do take the WotF Online Workshop. It's FREE. And don't miss the latest WotF Podcast with Jody Lynn Nye and Rob Sawyer. Know thy judges!

Best of success!

Wulf Moon

@paintminion Welcome! 😊 Nice to meet you!

Congratulations on the sell to that new anthology! ✨

@the_nadus Welcome, nice to meet you! Best of luck for Q3!

@esireeday Hi again, I just saw this post and got the answer to my Q on the other thread! 😊 And now I will take the chance to say "Welcome!" too 😃

That sounds really cool with all the things you have done and are doing in this field. I wish I had gotten the chance to take part in those live sessions, I'm sure it's very rewarding and fun!

@mulch Welcome, nice to meet you! Good luck with your submissions! 😃 Have you already sent something for Q3?

@patricia-a Nice to meet you too! I have, and it was my first time submitting to WotF. Fingers crossed! I'm also doing some final line edits on a piece for Q4 this week that I might shop around the critique exchange. One of the perks of being on top of things the past month!

Hi Everyone,

My name's Marius and I'm really, really new to this forum and competition. Born and raised in The Netherlands, worked as a Police detective there for nine years and I have recently moved to Sweden to pursue my dream of becoming a writer.

I have some writing experience, scored high in a few Dutch story competitions (small country, so not even 200 other contestants each time) and the Writer Contest here seems like a great way to test my hand in English. Nice to meet you all!

Welcome to the forum Marius. Take a look around and get to know everyone.  

@marius welcome

@marius Welcome to the Forum, Marius!

Police detective? I think you'd enjoy Steve Pantazis' winning story in Vol. 31.

Have fun soaking up the knowledge shared, and don't forget to take the WotF Online Workshop--it's free and taught by the best in the biz!

Welcome aboard!