Luke Wildman (volume 37, "How to Steal the Plot Armor"), who was also my roomie during the workshop in Hollywood, just accepted an offer with Writers House (who also represent(ed) Nora Roberts, Tom Clancy, Neil Gaiman, etc). I'm super excited for him not only because he's a good friend of mine, but also because he's been plugging away at novels since he was a kid and just had a big break! A reminder to all of us that persistance pays off.
You can read about the process on his website:
https://lukewildman.com/2026/05/30/when-a-literary-agent-flirts-with-you/
If you don't have vol 37, you can also read/listen to his WotF story reprinted at Podcastle. It's great fun!
https://podcastle.org/2025/03/04/podcastle-881-how-to-steal-the-plot-armor-part-one/
First Place, Q1 Vol 36
Stories also in Diabolical Plots, Mysterion, others
Recently out:
"The Ones Who Walk Away From New Jerusalem":
https://www.sciphijournal.org/index.php/2025/12/12/the-ones-who-walk-away-from-new-jerusalem/
Amazing and congratulations! Also so interesting to read the emails back and forth. Really helpful!
The Correction, Vol.1 Old Earth is out NOW!
Amazon Author page
Goodreads Author page
That’s awesome news.
Small steps add up to miles.
5 R, 5 RWC, 11 HM, 1 SHM
"Amore For Life" in After the Gold Rush Third Flatiron Anthology
"Freedom’s Song” in Troubadour and Space Princesses LTUE Anthology
”Through the Eyes of a Canine” in 1632 & Beyond Issue 18 to be released July 1, 2026
so fantastic to see someone from the contest succeeding! Thanks for sharing @andydibble
Interesting blog post. Though I'm sure it's different every time, may some version of this happen for all of us 
"...your motivations for wanting to write are probably complex. You may have a few great passions, you may want to be rich and famous, and you may need therapy."
- Dave Farland, Million Dollar Outlines
"...I also miss almost 100% of the shots I do take."
- Gideon Smith
Writers of the Future:
2026 Q1: R Q2: HM Q3: P Q4: P
2025 Q1: HM Q2: SHM Q3: HM Q4: HM (resub of 2024 HM)
2024 Q1: F Q2: HM Q3:SHM Q4: SHM
2023 Q1: RWC Q2: SHM Q3: SHM Q4: R
2022 Q4: R
Submissions to other markets:
2026: 79 submitted 4 acceptances
2025: 163 submitted 10 acceptances
2024: 53 submitted 8 acceptances
2023: 74 submitted 13 acceptances
2022: 22 submitted 1 acceptance
2026 goals: a. 2025 Novel submitted to agents/publishers b. Draft 0 of a new novel c. Speak at a con on panels d. Write 3 serious shorts NOT for WOTF e. Submit something, somewhere, every month