Discussion: Q1 Volume 38

Hi all. This is my first time ever entering this contest. I entered it without knowing anything about it. I saw that finalists tend to get phone calls, and I didn't give a real phone number...so, does that mean I'm out of luck?

Anywho, I know from reading the board that my chances of being a finalist first time out are quite small.

@johnmcjohnisnotmyrealname

Hi John, welcome! Your chances aren't shot, don't worry. If Joni can't reach you by phone she'll try be email or whatever. Your precaution is unnecessary though; they won't use your number for spam. It's strictly for being a finalist. Best of luck, and may the Thursday be with us all! ?  

@johnmcjohnisnotmyrealname Hey, ya never know!

You would not be out of luck if you can't be reached by phone. Few years back a guy was backpacking across China (or somewhere). He found out a few weeks later on the blog when he saw his name (Sadly, as a non-winning finalist).

Posted by: @reuben

@disgruntledpeony

Aha! My new story for Q3, entitled: "But Every Day is Thursday," Protested The Disgruntled Peony. I can just imagine it: full of disgruntled flowers, bewildering judges and Unexpected Hanging Paradoxes.  

Just carrying on the grand tradition.  

Posted by: @johnmcjohnisnotmyrealname

Hi all. This is my first time ever entering this contest. I entered it without knowing anything about it. I saw that finalists tend to get phone calls, and I didn't give a real phone number...so, does that mean I'm out of luck?

 

Anywho, I know from reading the board that my chances of being a finalist first time out are quite small.

If you’d like to get “The Call” and keep Joni from sweating on how to contact you, list your real phone number. It’s all secure, and only used for that purpose. She does need to verify a few things if you win. Her last resort would be to email you, but she doesn’t like doing that. She loves calling finalists and winners.

Posted by: @craydimensional

Boy everyone is jumpy today. Wulf said 1 week from April 16 so we are talking April 23. However, to adjust for the Thursday rule I will bet on April 22 being the day the first wave of replies come out.

Don’t forget I was quoting Joni. She is ever the optimist. ? But it will be soon. So sayeth Moon.

Posted by: @wulfmoon

Don’t forget I was quoting Joni. She is ever the optimist. ? But it will be soon. So sayeth Moon.

Dun dun dun...

Posted by: @craydimensional

Boy everyone is jumpy today. Wulf said 1 week from April 16 so we are talking April 23. However, to adjust for the Thursday rule I will bet on April 22 being the day the first wave of replies come out.

I find that having an entry in Q2 and a decent start on at least two possibilities for Q3 helps to settle my nerves about Q1. I usually think my current WIP is my best for at least part of the drafting, so if my Q3 one is the best idea ever, then how could Q1 win? Kind of weird logic, but it's how my brain (doesn't) work. So I guess I'm saying, instead of getting jumpy, get busy (at least until Thursday).

Posted by: @babooher

I find that having an entry in Q2 and a decent start on at least two possibilities for Q3 helps to settle my nerves about Q1. I usually think my current WIP is my best for at least part of the drafting, so if my Q3 one is the best idea ever, then how could Q1 win? Kind of weird logic, but it's how my brain (doesn't) work. So I guess I'm saying, instead of getting jumpy, get busy (at least until Thursday).

 

^ This!

I'm having so much fun with my Q3 I'm like, OK, whatever, I've got something else to enter.

But I luuuuuv my Q1.

"I look like Scott, so you don't feel little bit jumpy."

Posted by: @wulfmoon
Don’t forget I was quoting Joni. She is ever the optimist. ? But it will be soon. So sayeth Moon.

Maybe I’ll change my guess to Saturday or Monday.

I'm guessing next week. And I'm the same way. My next story is always where my excitement lies, and old stories are dead to me. Best of luck to everyone with results!

Question for the veteran participants here:

If your story ends up on the reject pile can you expect a notification or do you just infer from silence?

I know notifications haven’t gone out yet but I was wondering what to expect.

My recollection from when I entered back 15yrs ago or so is that I just never heard.

@yorgolee

You’ll get an email regardless of placing or not. If you don’t, you can reach out to Joni Labaqui the contest coordinator and ask. 

@rschibler

Thanks for the info. 

I have another quick question that I dread to ask but I'll put it out to anyone that might know. I was looking through the various threads here and saw reference to the fact that a 17,000 word manuscript is expected to be 60-some pages and that manuscripts of any greater length would be subject to immediate rejection. My Q1 story is just under 14,000 words but when I look at the document it comes out to 80-some pages. Knowing how strict readers are about formatting this made my blood run cold. 

I found the issue, when I formatted my story for submission somehow I messed up on the font and it defaulted to 14.5 of all things. How likely is it that my manuscript was not even read and just got put in the digital recycle bin on day one?

@yorgolee

How big of a likelihood? Very little. 12 font size is preferred, as is writing the word count in the top right of the first page which would take care of the problem, but either way, it's very easy for them to check, and they'll definitely know that the font size is bigger. Kary English has said a lot that weird and unprofessional behavior, such as crazy fonts--which yours doesn't classify as--are a flag, but not an automatic rejection.  

@reuben

Thank you! I worked really hard to hit all the points in the recommended formatting. But I always assume the worst, like people are just looking for excuses to winnow the reading pile down to a more manageable size. As a writer I always feel like the work has a target on it and readers are anxious for excuses to pull the trigger and get it off their desk.

Obviously that says more about me than anyone who works on the other side of things. For all I know they're all very kind and anxious to read the work. But when I saw I'd slipped up I was sure I'd entirely sabotaged myself.

It's not an instant reject. Like Reuben said, it's easy enough to check.

That being said, and partially as an aside, I'm a slusher for a pro magazine (Apex), and there is some truth to what you say. Our job as slushers, just as Kary's is as first reader, is to send only the best of the best stories up to the editors for final consideration. I have to read 40 stories a month for them, and if I read every story word for word from beginning to end, it would take me hours and hours. In other words, I am looking for reasons to reject. It's a hard truth. The stories I pass up are the ones that didn't give me any reason not to. Becoming a slusher changed my perspective on rejections, though, because sometimes that reason is "isn't a good fit for Apex" or "good, but not quite good enough" or "we just published a story with a very similar concept." It's not personal, ever, and it's not what I'd call fun - I have my stories out there in slush piles just like everyone else, and I dislike rejection letters. But I also understand that they only have so many slots, and each story has to earn their spot. Formatting is just one part of that.

Stories that clearly don't follow the requested format, odd cover letters, etc, these are "red flags". Maybe like a "strike" in baseball. A mistake like 14.5 font isn't going to have me insta-reject a story, though, and I doubt it is that way for WotF either. If the story is strong, the font size isn't going to matter one way or the other.

Posted by: @yorgolee

@rschibler

Thanks for the info. 

I have another quick question that I dread to ask but I'll put it out to anyone that might know. I was looking through the various threads here and saw reference to the fact that a 17,000 word manuscript is expected to be 60-some pages and that manuscripts of any greater length would be subject to immediate rejection. My Q1 story is just under 14,000 words but when I look at the document it comes out to 80-some pages. Knowing how strict readers are about formatting this made my blood run cold. 

I found the issue, when I formatted my story for submission somehow I messed up on the font and it defaulted to 14.5 of all things. How likely is it that my manuscript was not even read and just got put in the digital recycle bin on day one?

Becky gave you a great reply. You won't get rejected over this, but it's an immediate red flag in the first reader's mind because it stands out as different, and not in a good way. You want to stand out for great writing, not improper formatting. Next time, you'll know better. : )

I am a professional freelance editor. I tell my clients to review Shunn's Guide and compare their formatting to it's guidance before sending their ms to me. I am amazed how many times my clients get it wrong, even my repeat clients get it wrong, even when I correct it for them and tell them to turn it into a template for future stories. It is a major blind spot for aspiring writers. It even shows up with professional writers that have sent me manuscripts. Other editors I know have said the same thing. It's a problem. So much so, I wrote a Super Secret on it if you want more advice. Super Secret #0. 

Dress for success. Just as a black tie event like the WotF gala has dress standards, meeting professional manuscript formatting shows you know how to dress your story like a pro. First impressions count. Especially when the tired eyes of a first reader have two thousand stories to sift through to find the best ones to send to Dave.

As to page count, that won't matter. The contest rules go by word count, and as long as it is 17,000 words and under, you meet the contest requirements. It doesn't mean all the judges LIKE stories bordering 17K. I've heard from plenty that don't. Don't ask me how I know . . . 

Best of success!

Wulf Moon

A reminder to all in the Forum.

This Saturday we have a special event happening in the WotF Forum. It's an Ask Me Anything AMA event with bestselling writer extraordinaire, TIM POWERS. If you don't know that name, go get a copy of ANUBIS GATES. Or ON STRANGER TIDES, my personal favorite. Tim is one of the most literary writers in speculative fiction. The event will be held here Saturday, April 24th, from 1 pm to 3 pm PST, on this Forum, in the Writers of the Future Online Workshop Topic. 

Don't miss out! Tim Powers is a judge of this Contest and in my opinion, one of the most creative writers alive today! 

See you there!

Wulf Moon
Forum Moderator

In the past, I've heard the page limit is 68.

(68 x 250 words per page = 17,000)

This may be going way back, but as different word processors count different words differently, the page count was set up as an unofficial back-up to the 17k.

In this case, a word count of 14k isn't running up against the limit, so it should be OK, especially in a bigger font, which is instantly noticeable. However, I did want to mention the 68 page thing as it has come up.

@wulfmoon Thanks. I was looking for a formatting guide. I will check out "Shunn's Guide".

Posted by: @craydimensional

@wulfmoon Thanks. I was looking for a formatting guide. I will check out "Shunn's Guide".

Proper Manuscript Format for Fiction Writers | William Shunn

Here you go! Use the modern. And more are asking for exact word count, instead of "about" rounding. I think exact is proper now, it's what we get paid on, and everyone has WPs that count for us. In the days of typewriters, you had to count pages and approximate. It's an artifact from days of old.

I do know Dave likes Courier. It's easier to spot errors in monospaced font. But many editors prefer Times New Roman. Read the guidelines of each publication. No one will likely slay you on font as long as it's close. Unless you use FUNKY CHICKEN. (I made that up, but it SHOULD be a font!)

Cheers!

Posted by: @craydimensional

@wulfmoon Thanks. I was looking for a formatting guide. I will check out "Shunn's Guide".

https://www.shunn.net/format/story/

Here you go! (Be sure to check out the modern version as opposed to the classic. I think I grabbed the right link, but it gives access to both versions on the same page, so just make sure you're viewing the right one.)

EDIT: Hi, Wulf. Looks like you posted the link while I was catching up on threads. Nothing wrong with duplication in this case, though, I suppose. The important thing is people have the link!

Posted by: @wulfmoon

A reminder to all in the Forum.

This Saturday we have a special event happening in the WotF Forum. It's an Ask Me Anything AMA event with bestselling writer extraordinaire, TIM POWERS. If you don't know that name, go get a copy of ANUBIS GATES. Or ON STRANGER TIDES, my personal favorite. Tim is one of the most literary writers in speculative fiction. The event will be held here Saturday, April 24th, from 1 pm to 3 pm PST, on this Forum, in the Writers of the Future Online Workshop Topic. 

Don't miss out! Tim Powers is a judge of this Contest and in my opinion, one of the most creative writers alive today! 

See you there!

Wulf Moon
Forum Moderator

This should be awesome! I received a copy of "On Stranger Tides" as a gift from another writer some years ago, along with a couple of other wonderful books--I had picked it up and intended to read it after it had sat on my shelf briefly. I got a few pages in, was interested, and then COVID hit, and now it's sitting on my desk in a house about a hundred miles from here that I haven't been to in over a year (keeping company, in fact, with the WotF volume that your story appeared in, which I was also reading through in little bursts right before all this nonsense began).

However, I have learned that for whatever reason, I seem to be useless at coming up with questions for almost anyone, regardless of how interesting the opportunity seems to be. Questions for astronauts on board the ISS? Nope, can't think of any...

Posted by: @wulfmoon

Unless you use FUNKY CHICKEN. (I made that up, but it SHOULD be a font!)

Cheers!

Here ya go, Wulfy...

Funky chicken Font

@dragonchef That's awesome! looks like train car graffiti. Is it available for purchase or download?

@yorgolee . . . https://fonts.do/funky-chicken-town-1_font-download

Note: I have not downloaded it, but I imagine it's okay to do so since the site wasn't flagged. Still, as a precaution, always scan your downloads before opening.

@dragonchef

Awesome! ?

My favorite time each quarter is now.

Bombs away!

Posted by: @wulfmoon

 

My favorite time each quarter is now.

Bombs away!

 

Uh oh!

Biting lip draws blood. Heart races, mildly at first, then more rapidly with each passing minute. Hair on arms rise in anticipation.