I think Wulf was nearing that many? (46) He could remind us.
I'm a small fry at "only" 32.
I've got a ways to go to reach these numbers!
DQ:0 / R:0 / RWC:1 / HM:15 / SHM:7 / SF:1 / F:1
Published prior WotF entries: PodCastle, HFQ, Abyss & Apex
Pending: Q2.V42
@spencer_s Thank you!!
"Loyal as a badger, Ma’am, and valiant as—as a mouse."
Substack: Wren Scarborough
HM: 1
SHM: 1
SF: 1
Thanks, so much. I appreciate that. Trust me, if you're submitting, the editors are aware of you.Nice! HUGE congratulations, Mountain Spud. Best of luck getting some sleep. Didn't work for me. It was a long two weeks. Fingers crossed for you. Wow!So.....
Boy-howdy does it feel good to use that emoji!
Not gonna lie. It's hard to function as a human as I wait for that second call. I got much to say, many thanks to give to this community. For now, I'll save that for another post cuz my head's a big ol' mush of emotions. The twitch is strong, my friends!
Thank you!!!! Btw...I love your story, A Certain Slant of Light. Hit me just right, how lovely stories do. & I often thought of your inspiring road to the gala when I've been buried in rejections, thinking maybe, just maybe, I've made an impression with an editor, just don't know it yet, so I got to keep writing, keep submitting.
Preston Dennett
HM x 12
F x 1
Winner, 2nd place, Q1, Volume 35
40 stories published! (and counting!)
The phone rings. No Caller Id
"Is this Joni?"
"It is."
"Okay." I exhale. "I'm on the edge of my seat."
"& you're about to fall off it. Congratulations! You're 3rd place!"
She was right. I fell to my knees. That's a real reaction, I now know, not just written in stories for dramatic effect.
And now I get to use my most coveted emoji, coveted no more.
Keep dreaming. Keep writing. Keep entering. You'll get that call.
Website: https://www.jeschleicher.com/
Blog: https://www.jeschleicher.com/dopaminesdelight
V40: Q1 3rd Place Winner ("Squiddy")
V39: SHM, HM, HM, HM
V38: HM, SHM, HM, HM
V37: R, R, HM, HM
V36: R
Congratulations MountainSpud. 
I'm so happy for you.
Today's science fiction is tomorrow's reality-D.R.Sweeney
HM x5
Published Poetry
2012 Stars in Our Hearts
Silver Ships
@jeschleicher Congratufrakkinlations!!!
WOTF: 1 HM, 1 Semi, 2 Finalists, 1 Winner
Q2,V31 - Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!
Hugo and Astounding finalist, made the preliminary Stoker ballot (juried)
Published by Galaxy's Edge, DSF, StarShipSofa and TorNightfire
@jeschleicher Many congratulations!!!
V39: - - - HM
V40: SHM, HM, SHM, HM
V41: HM, SHM, SHM, F
V42: DQ, WIP
Stories published in Triangulation, Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine, Flash Fiction Magazine, and others.
https://kzrichards.com
@jeschleicher Congratufrakkinlations!!!
My new favorite affirmation!!!!
Website: https://www.jeschleicher.com/
Blog: https://www.jeschleicher.com/dopaminesdelight
V40: Q1 3rd Place Winner ("Squiddy")
V39: SHM, HM, HM, HM
V38: HM, SHM, HM, HM
V37: R, R, HM, HM
V36: R
And thank you, all! I'm incredibly grateful for this community! I've learned from you. You inspired me. You are a refuge of positivity. My tribe.
Website: https://www.jeschleicher.com/
Blog: https://www.jeschleicher.com/dopaminesdelight
V40: Q1 3rd Place Winner ("Squiddy")
V39: SHM, HM, HM, HM
V38: HM, SHM, HM, HM
V37: R, R, HM, HM
V36: R
Congratulations, @jeschleicher! Third place is the best place, just ask @tj_knight. Really hoping I can join you two in the hall-of-third-placers one quarter soon. Heck, I'd even take second place if I had to.
VOL 40 2nd Quarter: Third Place ("Ashes to Ashes, Blood to Carbonfiber")
Past submissions: R - HM - HM - HM - HM - HM - SHM - SHM
www.jd-writes.com
Kindle Vella - Ashes to Ashes, Earth to Kaybee
@jeschleicher Congratifications and well done.
?
Congratulations MountainSpud!
That is fantastic news. Your reaction to the call from Joni is just awesome!
It just occurred to me that you are not the first potato-related user name on the forum to be a contest winner. I am sure it is coincidental but if anyone new to the forum is superstitious… you just might be inclined to consider a starchy tuber-related username.
In any event, better still, for me at least, is that I believe I will get to look forward to extending my congratulations to you in person next April.
I was working outdoors at the time the Joni call came in and my family had to hunt me down and find me. After learning of a second place finish, I assured them the hunt was worth it.
I just wanted to say that it was on this forum that I met the people who taught me the basic building blocks of a story and showed me the many--many--things that I did not even know I didn’t know. (And they’re still teaching me.) I wouldn’t be looking forward to the workshop if it wasn’t for them.
Also, following the success stories of past winners who had gutted it out and entered for many years was also incredibly valuable for motivation. So at the risk of being a big ball of cheese, thank you to all of you here again. This forum and its community rocks.
P.S. @Anna X – No worries, I never noticed! All good.
Finalist x2
Semi x1
SHM x5
HM x9
R - lots!
@jeschleicher congratulations. Well done.
R:6 RWC:1 HM:9 SHM:3
My Blog
Small Gods and Little Demons - Parsec Issue #10
After learning of a second place finish
That is so awesome!!!!! Thank you & ditto! I can't wait to meet you, share stories about the submission trenches, and toast a beverage of our choice about the future wherever it leads.
Website: https://www.jeschleicher.com/
Blog: https://www.jeschleicher.com/dopaminesdelight
V40: Q1 3rd Place Winner ("Squiddy")
V39: SHM, HM, HM, HM
V38: HM, SHM, HM, HM
V37: R, R, HM, HM
V36: R
@jeschleicher Eyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy congrats bro! Well done! How does it feeeeeeeeeel?
“Stories are the collective wisdom of everyone who has ever lived. Your job as a storyteller is not simply to entertain. Nor is it to be noticed for the way your turn a phrase. You have a very important job—one of the most important. Your job is to let people know that everyone shares their feelings—and that these feelings bind us. Your job is a healing art, and like all healers, you have a responsibility. Let people know they are not alone. You must make people understand that we are all the same.”
Brian McDonald
2022: Second Place Winner V39 Q1
2021: HM, HM, SHM
2020: R
2019: SHM, R
2018: HM
2017: HM
Check out my fiction and more at spencersekulin.net
@jeschleicher Congrats. That is awesome news.
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."~ Henry Ford
2025 V42: RWC, WIP, ?, ?
2024 V41: RWC (Resubmitted "HM"), HM, RWC, Finalist (RWC Resubmit)
2023 V40: HM, HM, R, HM
2022 V39: SHM, HM, Semi-finalist, HM (HM Resubmit)
2021 V38: ---HM (R Resubmit)
2020 V37: -R--
If I figure out what needs improvement on my Q1 HM, is it frowned on or not recommended to submit it again for Q3?
I kind of want a certificate on my wall for it with SHM or higher.
Should I wait for Q1 next year or just send it out in another market?
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."~ Henry Ford
2025 V42: RWC, WIP, ?, ?
2024 V41: RWC (Resubmitted "HM"), HM, RWC, Finalist (RWC Resubmit)
2023 V40: HM, HM, R, HM
2022 V39: SHM, HM, Semi-finalist, HM (HM Resubmit)
2021 V38: ---HM (R Resubmit)
2020 V37: -R--
Yay!!!!!!!!!!!The phone rings. No Caller Id
"Is this Joni?"
"It is."
"Okay." I exhale. "I'm on the edge of my seat."
"& you're about to fall off it. Congratulations! You're 3rd place!"
She was right. I fell to my knees. That's a real reaction, I now know, not just written in stories for dramatic effect.And now I get to use my most coveted emoji, coveted no more.
Keep dreaming. Keep writing. Keep entering. You'll get that call.
HUGE congratulations, Mountain Spud. You're in for quite a ride! Wow. So awesome. I'm very eager to read your award-winning story!
Preston Dennett
HM x 12
F x 1
Winner, 2nd place, Q1, Volume 35
40 stories published! (and counting!)
congrats @jeschleicher and congrats @galen !!
Two forum winners is amazing ? ?
"...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
Writers of the Future:
2025 Q1: HM Q2: WIP Q3: TBD Q4: TBD
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:
2025: 19 submitted 0 acceptances
2024: 45 submitted 8 acceptances
2023: 74 submitted 13 acceptances
2022: 22 submitted 1 acceptance
2025 goals: a. New Novel b. New piece submitted/month c. 100 rejections
@jeschleicher Eyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy congrats bro! Well done! How does it feeeeeeeeeel?
Thank you! & good. So so very good. Better than I dreamt. It's my first sale, & what a first sale it is!
Website: https://www.jeschleicher.com/
Blog: https://www.jeschleicher.com/dopaminesdelight
V40: Q1 3rd Place Winner ("Squiddy")
V39: SHM, HM, HM, HM
V38: HM, SHM, HM, HM
V37: R, R, HM, HM
V36: R
HUGE congratulations, Mountain Spud.
Thanks, man!
You're in for quite a ride!
I'm pinchin' myself
Website: https://www.jeschleicher.com/
Blog: https://www.jeschleicher.com/dopaminesdelight
V40: Q1 3rd Place Winner ("Squiddy")
V39: SHM, HM, HM, HM
V38: HM, SHM, HM, HM
V37: R, R, HM, HM
V36: R
is it frowned on or not recommended to submit it again for Q3?
Doubt it's frowned upon. My winner was a minorly tweaked SHM. I only entered it because come the deadline, my planned entry was being held for consideration by another market. & surprise, I got the call from Joni.
You got plenty of time before the deadline. If it's a minor tweak, I say give it a quick rework, then write a fresh story. Then you got two stories to choose from. If it's a big overhaul, probably best to write the new story first.
From my experience, time away from a story creates more objective decision-making.
Website: https://www.jeschleicher.com/
Blog: https://www.jeschleicher.com/dopaminesdelight
V40: Q1 3rd Place Winner ("Squiddy")
V39: SHM, HM, HM, HM
V38: HM, SHM, HM, HM
V37: R, R, HM, HM
V36: R
@jeschleicher Congratulations!!!!
Vol 37 Q4-SHM
Vol 38 Q1-HM Q2-DNP Q3-DNP Q4-HM
Vol 39 Q1-HM Q2-HM Q3- DNP Q4- HM
Vol 40 Q1- DNP Q2- HM Q3- Subbed
@galen Congratulations to you as well!! Two forumite wins! I hope you both have a wonderful time in Hollywood next year and that more of us can join you.
V39: - - - HM
V40: SHM, HM, SHM, HM
V41: HM, SHM, SHM, F
V42: DQ, WIP
Stories published in Triangulation, Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine, Flash Fiction Magazine, and others.
https://kzrichards.com
and that more of us can join you.
Judging by stories I've swapped, there sure will be!
Website: https://www.jeschleicher.com/
Blog: https://www.jeschleicher.com/dopaminesdelight
V40: Q1 3rd Place Winner ("Squiddy")
V39: SHM, HM, HM, HM
V38: HM, SHM, HM, HM
V37: R, R, HM, HM
V36: R
@jeschleicher Congratulations!!!
‘Writing is like giving yourself homework, really hard homework, everyday for the rest of your life. You want glamour? Throw glitter at the computer screen.' - Ketrina Monroe
'The War Within' Deep Magic Volume 73 https://deepmagic.co
'Spirit Talk' in The Last Line Issue 7 Winter
'The Mystical Farrago' Writers of the Future, Volume 38
'The Dying Book' Misfits of Magic Anthology
'Whatever Lola Wants' Murderbirds Anthology
'Inspirational Theurgist' Of Wizards and Wolves Anthology for the David Farland memorial fund
'Beneath the Glass Dark' From the Depths Anthology
'A Life of Color' Metaphorosis magazine 8/1/2023
'A Murmuring Darkness' Strange Horizons 9/18/2023
'Out There With Them' Robotic Ambitions-Apex publishing
'The Skykeeper's Daughter' Dragon Gems Winter 2024 Anthology --this story was written in 24 hours at the WoTF workshop.
Temporary Tales of Magic and Hope -- A Short Story Collection of New and Previously Published works.
'A Widow's Word' Murderbugs Anthology
'Whitechapel' The Vampire Survival Guide Anthology
Coming Soon The Malice of Moons and Mages, Book 1 of The Broken Bonds of Magic Series
V37- R, HM, SHM, HM
V38- HM, SHM, Winner (3rd place)
@galen Yay! Congratulations!! Two forum winners!!
‘Writing is like giving yourself homework, really hard homework, everyday for the rest of your life. You want glamour? Throw glitter at the computer screen.' - Ketrina Monroe
'The War Within' Deep Magic Volume 73 https://deepmagic.co
'Spirit Talk' in The Last Line Issue 7 Winter
'The Mystical Farrago' Writers of the Future, Volume 38
'The Dying Book' Misfits of Magic Anthology
'Whatever Lola Wants' Murderbirds Anthology
'Inspirational Theurgist' Of Wizards and Wolves Anthology for the David Farland memorial fund
'Beneath the Glass Dark' From the Depths Anthology
'A Life of Color' Metaphorosis magazine 8/1/2023
'A Murmuring Darkness' Strange Horizons 9/18/2023
'Out There With Them' Robotic Ambitions-Apex publishing
'The Skykeeper's Daughter' Dragon Gems Winter 2024 Anthology --this story was written in 24 hours at the WoTF workshop.
Temporary Tales of Magic and Hope -- A Short Story Collection of New and Previously Published works.
'A Widow's Word' Murderbugs Anthology
'Whitechapel' The Vampire Survival Guide Anthology
Coming Soon The Malice of Moons and Mages, Book 1 of The Broken Bonds of Magic Series
V37- R, HM, SHM, HM
V38- HM, SHM, Winner (3rd place)
Congratulations!! Whoohoo! So happy for you both!!
Vol. 36: 3rd -- R, 4th -- R
Vol. 37: R, HM, HM, SHM
Vol. 38: HM, HM, HM, HM
Vol. 39: SHM, RWC, RWC, HM
Vol. 40: HM, R, RWC, R
Vol. 41: R, HM, HM, HM
Vol. 42: R, 2nd qtr. pending, 3rd qtr. WIP
Amateur published stories:
"The Army Ration That Saved the Earth" -- Accepted for publication, waiting for contract
"The Tell-Tale Cricket" in The Murderbugs Anthololgy
"Follow the Pretrons" in Martian Magazine, and a Critters Award
"Eyes and Hands" in Galaxy's Edge Magazine
"The Last Dance" in Parliament of Wizards, LTUE anthology
"My Ten Cents" in Sci Fi Lampoon
Professional Publication:
"Invasion" in Daily Science Fiction
The phone rings. No Caller Id
"Is this Joni?"
"It is."
"Okay." I exhale. "I'm on the edge of my seat."
"& you're about to fall off it. Congratulations! You're 3rd place!"She was right. I fell to my knees. That's a real reaction, I now know, not just written in stories for dramatic effect.
And now I get to use my most coveted emoji, coveted no more.
Keep dreaming. Keep writing. Keep entering. You'll get that call.
whoop whoop. Can’t wait to read v40
Small steps add up to miles.
5 R, 5 RWC, 6 HM, 1 SHM
"Amore For Life" in After the Gold Rush Third Flatiron Anthology
"Freedom’s Song” in Troubadour and Space Princesses LTUE Anthology
"Experimenting with the Dance of Death" in Love is Complicated LUW Romance Anthology.
