Discussion: Q1 Volume 40

@jvashley Sorry / not sorry. The power of Thursday compelled me.  😉  Hit that deadline!

[Eyes dart between phone and keyboard]

Posted by: @pdblake

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So it's now Good Thursday?  Can I still crack open an Easter egg?

Provided it's the chocolate sort with additional delicious things inside, I feel it could be appropriate. But if it's one of the modern ones that cheats and gives you the chocolate stuff outside the egg instead of inside it, well, I personally have no time for that kind of lazy nonsense. Go away and make a proper Easter egg, damnit!

@doctorjest sadly no. A thoroughly disappointing modern one. But chocolate, as they say, is chocolate.

I was really proud of my first entry into WoTF, but it wasn’t a good match. My first rejection sucked, but it was really a good eye opener. Then, during volume 39, Q4, I read some really amazing entries trading critiques for forumites and Moon’s wulf pack. It’s crazy the amount of talented people there are that are entering.

Volume 40, Q1, was kind of a hit and miss for me. I liked my entry but I don’t think too much of it. Maybe it’ll get placed somewhere in honorable mentions or it’ll get rejected. I’m okay with either because in the process, I’m learning a bit more about what makes a story work. However, I believe there’s fierce competition because I was honored with reading two stories that I would immediately buy and publish if I had a magazine or anthology. I believed they were that good.

But I don’t honestly know if they would place because I’ve had the pleasure to read some of the most amazing and unique works thanks to all of you. And it’s so hard to choose just a few. So the judges have a difficult job for them because the amount of talent in this forum is pretty spectacular.

Don’t give up.

I learned that the more I read and critique, the more I get to see strengths and weaknesses in my own writing. I also get the pleasure of experiencing different worlds. I think everyone hopes to win and for some, that might take years while for others, it takes only a few months. Every person’s journey is different. And every one will have their time.

Your time is coming so keep writing. It’ll be a good Thursday for you soon with a personal phone call.

Good luck and happy writing! ?

Posted by: @annax

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I was really proud of my first entry into WoTF, but it wasn’t a good match. My first rejection sucked, but it was really a good eye opener. 

You wrote something and submitted it. Be proud. Congrats on that step. It can be hard to handle rejections, but don't let it keep you down.

Posted by: @annax

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Volume 40, Q1, was kind of a hit and miss for me. I liked my entry but I don’t think too much of it. Maybe it’ll get placed somewhere in honorable mentions or it’ll get rejected.

You trudged on and kept writing even after a rejection.  Double congrats!  

Posted by: @annax

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Don’t give up.

You got the hang of this. Don't give up. Keep on writing and have fun.

[Smoke signal detected]

[holy crabcakes!]

[Man your stations]

[looks like Thursday is upon us]

[Good luck to all...]

Posted by: @karyenglish

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@jvashley Sorry / not sorry. The power of Thursday compelled me.  😉  Hit that deadline!

<throws extra pillows into the pillow fort>
Oops, @physa, didn't see you hiding there.
Hope I didn't didn't hit you too hard.
<Eyes physa picking up a pillow>
What are you doing?
<physa takes aim>
No, I am not in for a pillow fight.
<gets slammed to the head>
Oh, It's On Now!

Motto of House Forumite: Thursday is coming.

[Pillows flying everywhere]

[I duck, but a pillow hits @jvashley]

[doh!]

[Thursday sirens are blaring]

[it's hard to think]

[time to escape out through the hidden passageway]

[be safe everyone!]

It’s Thursday o’clock and all is well!

I am checking refreshing my email a bit too frequently and I have emptied my voicemail just in case…

Happy Thursday everyone

Did I just dream that someone blasted their results in the chat for the zoom call with OSC?

[brings leftover BDay cake for all that are waiting still.]
[throws a pillow, half heartedly]
[pulls out IPad to write QTR3]
[with all going on with family, can’t quite get up Thursday spirit]

@babooher I had to leave a little early. Did this for real happen?

@babooher, that's interesting. I wasn't able to attend. 

Sorry about starting the pillow fight, everyone. I was avoiding finishing the story that is due today. I should not have resorted to violence to do it. I should have used my tried and true method of eating brownies and drinking hot chocolate and doubling down on angst. I apologize again if I knocked over anyone's drink or laptop. 

Good Luck finishing Q3s
And Good Luck awaiting results.

@jvashley No apologies on pillow fight. I usually love ❤️ them.

Well I checked back on my submission - I had edited out the f-bomb so I sure hope I get a better result than a rwc (which is what I maybe would have expected with the f-bomb). Sure would be nice if Thursday would arrive already.

@kz_richards I thought I saw it right at the end before they cut us off, but I haven't seen any postings yet.

While awaiting Q2 results, I've reluctantly acknowledged the small possibility my story might not be accepted. So I've written a first draft of my next story and have put it aside for a week or so, letting it (and myself) cool before starting the first revision.

So, while waiting, here's a question for all the veterans here on the forum:Is there any significant difference between submitting a hard copy manuscript versus an electronic submission? What is the preferred method for most of us here? 

@emlouviere, I've never submitted a hard copy to any markets cuz the ability to send digital submissions are so ubiquitous, easy, and free. Most markets only have that option now. There is one market I know of, Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet, that'll only take a physical MS, which has been enough of a barrier for me, thus far at least, from sending them any of my stories.

MountainSpud, thanks for the information. I just checked LCRW (I just love the names the 'Zines come up with--even better than the rock bands) and realized some very prominent authors were published there. If I read correctly, they accept only hard copy manuscripts. 

@emlouviere  Hi. The contest prefers that contestants submit through the contest portal. There were a few times in the mid teens when the portal that they were using hiccupped and cut off submissions before the deadline. Writers went crazy. Joni and her champion staff, however, picked up where the portal left off and printed hard copies for emailers who'd been left out. I understand that it was a monumental undertaking and the contest staff was equal to the task. I was once cut off in this way and my story received HM - I wrote to thank Joni and staff for their tireless efforts.

Do hard copies mean more to judging or judges? No. But if a hard copy story becomes a finalist, it will have to be printed and sent to the judging panel for the quarter. Paper and ink cost. Postage costs. Time and effort costs.

I would submit that the contest still accepts hard copies because, as an international competition open to all age groups, they can't expect all interested authors to have access to a computer and/or an internet connection.

If an author can submit electronically, I consider it an obligation to do so.

Posted by: @emlouviere

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MountainSpud, thanks for the information. I just checked LCRW (I just love the names the 'Zines come up with--even better than the rock bands) and realized some very prominent authors were published there. If I read correctly, they accept only hard copy manuscripts.

This is entirely correct! I have a sub out with them at the moment (my third or fourth, I think), and a current subscription to their zine (it's a little print zine, black and white, and good value at about $6 per issue all included). I got my subscription a little after my last submission though, and having read it now, I don't think my sub is a good fit for them--but I'll wait and see. And in the future I'll have a better idea.

I personally always enjoy hard copy submissions, as there's a bit of ritual to them that's a little bit special compared to an email or online sub. I started out subbing to F&SF that way too, back before they had an online system, and have a number of my paper rejections from them kicking around somewhere.

Electronic is simple, but I do really like the paper sub every now and then.

I'm preeeeeetty sure I'm gonna be DQ'd for profanity this quarter. The f has bombed my streak ?  -- but may the twitching be in your favor friends!!!! And my Q2 look better for me and my former marine-wife mouth ?. 

[tosses cookies into the tent]

[jumps back at goblin noises]

[slowly backs away from the battlefield]

@craydimensional ((hugs)) family stress is a hard thing. I hope the whatever the cause is resolved soon. Sending virtual sourdough focaccia bread.

[drapes warm blanket over @craydimensional’s shoulders]

[brings fresh hot chocolate]

Posted by: @karyenglish

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Thursday Watch: Conditions are right for a Thursday.

I've been submitting to WOTF for a while, but I'm kind of new for the forum and hoping someone can spell this out for me. Does it mean we're likely to get results this coming Thursday, April 13?

@nate "Thursday" is kind of a running gag on the forum. Kary did indicate that results are likely next week, so stay tuned! Whatever day that is, we'll all consider it "Thursday" for this quarter.

There were a few quarters in a row a few years back, or a few in the same volume, where results did come out on a Thursday. So we came to expect it and started joking about it then, and I think it was Martin who said-ish "As writers, we must EDIT" (Every day is Thursday) and oh boy, that clinched it.

Results have come out on "Thursday" ever since.

@kz_richards and @clfors Thank you for the support.