Overall the concept is sound.
It's perhaps just the name.
You're not really getting comments, and once you receive one, your certainly not getting any more next time.
Rejection with compliments?
That sounds better.
Everyone can already know what the comments are, so it's kind of redundant to have it in the name.
Your not really getting anything, as you probably already have it.
I think the issue is really just the name.
I can't think of a better alternative than Rejection with compliments.
Any ideas?
RxLOTS
HMx1 (somewhere in the middle)
Yep, a rejection by any other name is still a rejection in my book. The contest can categorize it however they like. It’s their contest after all, and I’m choosing to play in their sandbox. Still want to win this thing though, so I’ll keep writing and submitting because I enjoy writing stories.
"There are three rules to writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are."
— W. Somerset Maugham
Drop me a line at https://morganbroadhead.com
SFx1
HMx6
R/RWCx6
@nova Not everyone is on this forum, or are deeply familiar with the contest, so I imagine for at least some people in that category the 'comments' are some new information to them?
"...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: P Q2: TBD Q3: TBD Q4: TBD
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: 6 submitted 0 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
I imagine for at least some people in that category the 'comments' are some new information to them?
Yes, but only the first time.
Also, it's hard to call them comments, when they are generic prewritten text.
They are not actually comments on your story.
"a verbal or written remark expressing an opinion or reaction."
That's one definition.
These "comments" are not the readers opinion of your story, as they are pre written and generic.
They aren't, therefore, a reaction to it either.
In all ways, a comment comes after the fact, when you know nothing about it before.
Rejection with notes wouldn't likely work for a similar reason.
"a brief record of points or ideas written down as an aid to memory."
Again, that's one definition.
Notes are an aid to memory.
As the the person who wrote the "comments" hadn't read your story prior, they are not an aid to memory.
Compliment.
"a polite expression of praise or admiration."
I think compliments works rather well.
I feel the "comments" your pointed to are an expression of praise for writing and submitting, even with an obvious issue or two.
RxLOTS
HMx1 (somewhere in the middle)
