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Discussion: Q1 Volume 40

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K. Z. Richards
(@kz_richards)
Posts: 195
Silver Star Member
 

I decided to submit Q1 early so I could enjoy the holidays. If I get a chance, I’ll get going on some other stories, or I might just do some reading. Good luck with those Q1’s!

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

 
Posted : December 9, 2022 8:23 am
Joel C. Scoberg
(@joel-c-scoberg)
Posts: 388
Gold Member
 

31 December is hurtling towards us! My Q1 submission is nearly ready but I have been sidetracked by festivities and general life, which is so much busier this time of year. One last push and I will get it over the line, and hopefully before Christmas so I can avoid my usual last minute rush to edit and submit.

3rd Place Vol 41 Q3 ("The Stench of Freedom")
Submission record: R x 2 / HM x 7 / SHM x 2 / W x 1
Stories published in Daily Science Fiction, Every Day Fiction, 365tomorrows, and Gwyllion Magazine.
Find out more on my website (www.joelcscoberg.com) or sign up to my newsletter for updates on my writing journey.

 
Posted : December 9, 2022 8:34 am
Liz Busby
(@lizbusby)
Posts: 16
Advanced Member
 

Just got my Q1 submission in. Not on the last day for once. ? 

book reviews and writerly thoughts on my blog: www.lizbusby.com
featured on episode 93 of the WotF podcast

Results
V40: HM -
V39: - HM - RWC

Published Stories
"The 37th Ward Relief Society Leftovers Exchange" - religious magical realism story about a different kind of pot luck; winner in the "Saints, Spells, and Starships" contest
"Winter Fog" - Christmas ghost story about a mother and daughter in the Pacific Northwest

 
Posted : December 9, 2022 9:57 am
(@aivanther)
Posts: 37
Bronze Member
 

@spencer_s Yeah, it's happened before, it'll happen again to me.  I like the idea, but I think I'm going to have to change what the actual plot arc is about to make it anything resembling a short story.

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

 
Posted : December 9, 2022 10:35 am
DoctorJest
(@doctorjest)
Posts: 870
Platinum Member
 

Posted by: @morgan-broadhead
Q1 is always — BY FAR — the most difficult of all quarters for me. My birthday is in October (Halloween!), Thanksgiving is November, and Christmas is December. Also, New Years Eve. Plus all the end of year activities at work. Definitely a rush, and I applaud everyone who still manages to submit on time, especially me sometimes.

I often find Q1 the easiest, because the season means I generally have a little more time off from my regular work. More than one of my Q1 entries has been written between Christmas Day and New Year, though! 

 

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

 
Posted : December 9, 2022 6:35 pm
Physa/ Guthington/ Amy, Morgan, Anna X and 2 people reacted
crlisle
(@crlisle)
Posts: 427
Gold Member
 

I have submitted for Q1 

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

 
Posted : December 11, 2022 3:47 pm
Liz Busby, Physa/ Guthington/ Amy, Anna X and 5 people reacted
babooher
(@babooher)
Posts: 229
Silver Star Member
 

Writing physics is worse than toilet paper math. A couple of observations:

It takes far less time to go from 4k to 7k than it did to go from 1k to 3k.

AND YET

The closer I get to the end, the longer it takes to write. Therefore, even though I can blaze through the 7k mark, the last 1500 words or so of an 8.5K story takes longer than the entire draft.

Time, speed, relativity--all that goes out the window when writing. At this point, I'm not even sure about gravity. Or taxes...okay, the taxes part is probably hyperbolic. But only a little.

It shall be done before 12/31. That's about all I'm certain of.

Write on, write on, write on.

2012 Q4: R
2016 Q3: SHM
2019 Q2: HM, Q3: HM
2020 Q2: HM, Q4: SHM
2021 Q1: HM, Q2: SF, Q3: SHM, Q4: SHM
2022 Q1: SHM, Q2 RWC, Q4 RWC
2023 Q1: RWC Q2: SHM Q3:Nope Q4: WIP

 
Posted : December 11, 2022 6:51 pm
Anna X, David Hankins, storysinger and 2 people reacted
(@wulfmoon)
Posts: 3306
Platinum Plus Moderator
 

I talked to Joni the other day. She asked me to get the word out to tell writers to submit those Q1 stories—they get the least submissions in Q1 so it’s your best chance at winning. I promised I would tell the groups I’m in. So here I am, beating the drums. To war!

I know you forumites will rise to the call, if you haven’t already.?

Cheers!

Click here to JOIN THE WULF PACK!
"Super-Duper Moongirl and the Amazing Moon Dawdler" won Best SFF Story of 2019! Read it in Writers of the Future, Vol. 35. Order HERE!
Need writing help? My award-winning SUPER SECRETS articles are FREE in DreamForge.
IT’S HERE! Many have been begged me to publish the Super Secrets of Writing. How to Write a Howling Good Story is now a #1 BESTSELLING BOOK! Get yours at your favorite retailer HERE!

 
Posted : December 12, 2022 1:02 am
Anna X, K. Z. Richards, Dustin Adams and 4 people reacted
Joel C. Scoberg
(@joel-c-scoberg)
Posts: 388
Gold Member
 

@wulfmoon well, if there is even the slightest chance of improving my odds of doing well in this competition, I am going to try and make it count. Got to be in it to win it!

Now, just to finish my never-ending run through of edits *cough* accept that my story will never absolutely perfectly reflect the vision in my head *cough* and submit my entry!

3rd Place Vol 41 Q3 ("The Stench of Freedom")
Submission record: R x 2 / HM x 7 / SHM x 2 / W x 1
Stories published in Daily Science Fiction, Every Day Fiction, 365tomorrows, and Gwyllion Magazine.
Find out more on my website (www.joelcscoberg.com) or sign up to my newsletter for updates on my writing journey.

 
Posted : December 12, 2022 4:58 am
(@wulfmoon)
Posts: 3306
Platinum Plus Moderator
 

Posted by: @joel-c-scoberg

@wulfmoon well, if there is even the slightest chance of improving my odds of doing well in this competition, I am going to try and make it count. Got to be in it to win it!

Now, just to finish my never-ending run through of edits *cough* accept that my story will never absolutely perfectly reflect the vision in my head *cough* and submit my entry!

Sorry, Joel. I gave your comment a thumbs up, and hit the thumbs down by accident. It won’t let me change. So here’s me saying TWO thumbs up to your goal. ?

All the beast!

 

Click here to JOIN THE WULF PACK!
"Super-Duper Moongirl and the Amazing Moon Dawdler" won Best SFF Story of 2019! Read it in Writers of the Future, Vol. 35. Order HERE!
Need writing help? My award-winning SUPER SECRETS articles are FREE in DreamForge.
IT’S HERE! Many have been begged me to publish the Super Secrets of Writing. How to Write a Howling Good Story is now a #1 BESTSELLING BOOK! Get yours at your favorite retailer HERE!

 
Posted : December 12, 2022 10:15 am
Anna X, crlisle, David Hankins and 1 people reacted
(@monicagh)
Posts: 20
Advanced Member
 

@wulfmoon and there goes my secret...submit in Q1

Vol. 39 Q1: HM
Vol. 40 Q1: SHM

 
Posted : December 12, 2022 2:05 pm
Anna X, Joel C. Scoberg, crlisle and 1 people reacted
(@wulfmoon)
Posts: 3306
Platinum Plus Moderator
 

Posted by: @monicagh

@wulfmoon and there goes my secret...submit in Q1

Heh, it's a well-known secret. The bustling holidays in Q1 keep many from being able to submit. More opportunities for our dedicated forumites! 

 

Click here to JOIN THE WULF PACK!
"Super-Duper Moongirl and the Amazing Moon Dawdler" won Best SFF Story of 2019! Read it in Writers of the Future, Vol. 35. Order HERE!
Need writing help? My award-winning SUPER SECRETS articles are FREE in DreamForge.
IT’S HERE! Many have been begged me to publish the Super Secrets of Writing. How to Write a Howling Good Story is now a #1 BESTSELLING BOOK! Get yours at your favorite retailer HERE!

 
Posted : December 12, 2022 8:47 pm
Anna X, Joel C. Scoberg, crlisle and 2 people reacted
(@aivanther)
Posts: 37
Bronze Member
 

Well, I'm in. Then this morning I was reading something in my story and realized I left something of an "anti-Chekov's gun" in my story.  I had added an element but then removed it when I realized later it was a distrciton, but forgot to delete the part where I introduced the element.

 

So, yeah...I think my story has a glaring unfulfilled promise.  brickwall  

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

 
Posted : December 13, 2022 10:24 am
Anna X reacted
crlisle
(@crlisle)
Posts: 427
Gold Member
 

@aivanther oh no! Best to read it out loud before submitting

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

 
Posted : December 13, 2022 11:30 am
(@wulfmoon)
Posts: 3306
Platinum Plus Moderator
 

Posted by: @aivanther

Well, I'm in. Then this morning I was reading something in my story and realized I left something of an "anti-Chekov's gun" in my story.  I had added an element but then removed it when I realized later it was a distrciton, but forgot to delete the part where I introduced the element.

 

So, yeah...I think my story has a glaring unfulfilled promise.  brickwall  

@jason might be able to pull that for you so you can fix and resubmit. Worth asking him. 

 

Click here to JOIN THE WULF PACK!
"Super-Duper Moongirl and the Amazing Moon Dawdler" won Best SFF Story of 2019! Read it in Writers of the Future, Vol. 35. Order HERE!
Need writing help? My award-winning SUPER SECRETS articles are FREE in DreamForge.
IT’S HERE! Many have been begged me to publish the Super Secrets of Writing. How to Write a Howling Good Story is now a #1 BESTSELLING BOOK! Get yours at your favorite retailer HERE!

 
Posted : December 13, 2022 10:28 pm
Anna X and DoctorJest reacted
Joel C. Scoberg
(@joel-c-scoberg)
Posts: 388
Gold Member
 

@crlisle great tip. Although, now that I read nothing out loud but children's stories at bed time, I may end up editing my story by subconsciously creating rhyming couplets throughout laughing

3rd Place Vol 41 Q3 ("The Stench of Freedom")
Submission record: R x 2 / HM x 7 / SHM x 2 / W x 1
Stories published in Daily Science Fiction, Every Day Fiction, 365tomorrows, and Gwyllion Magazine.
Find out more on my website (www.joelcscoberg.com) or sign up to my newsletter for updates on my writing journey.

 
Posted : December 14, 2022 2:08 am
TimE, crlisle and Anna X reacted
Joel C. Scoberg
(@joel-c-scoberg)
Posts: 388
Gold Member
 

@wulfmoon ha! I have been worried about inadvertently hitting the thumbs down button myself! I'll happily take TWO thumbs up, thank you very much

3rd Place Vol 41 Q3 ("The Stench of Freedom")
Submission record: R x 2 / HM x 7 / SHM x 2 / W x 1
Stories published in Daily Science Fiction, Every Day Fiction, 365tomorrows, and Gwyllion Magazine.
Find out more on my website (www.joelcscoberg.com) or sign up to my newsletter for updates on my writing journey.

 
Posted : December 14, 2022 2:10 am
(@druidpeter)
Posts: 2
New Member
 

Hey everyone! I've entered the illustrator's contest 5 times, and this time, my 5th, will be my last due to financial reasons. xD I simply can't afford to spend any more time on entering, sadly. I've never really participated in the forums, but since this was my last time... well, I figured I would get into the spirit of things. Especially since this is the 40th volume for the contest! That's quite the milestone! 😀

 

I wish everyone the best of luck and favor in the judges eyes, and I guess I'll pop in from time to time! 😀

 
Posted : December 14, 2022 7:50 pm
Joel C. Scoberg
(@joel-c-scoberg)
Posts: 388
Gold Member
 

After much procrastination, I finally hit SUBMIT on my entry for Q1 Vol 40

Now to sit back and relax before Christmas then make a start on Q2.

Good luck to all those submitting this quarter.

3rd Place Vol 41 Q3 ("The Stench of Freedom")
Submission record: R x 2 / HM x 7 / SHM x 2 / W x 1
Stories published in Daily Science Fiction, Every Day Fiction, 365tomorrows, and Gwyllion Magazine.
Find out more on my website (www.joelcscoberg.com) or sign up to my newsletter for updates on my writing journey.

 
Posted : December 16, 2022 3:17 am
TimE, Anna X, David Hankins and 2 people reacted
 TimE
(@time)
Posts: 414
Silver Star Member
 

@joel-c-scoberg Don't read it again - because if you do, you know you'll find errors introduced last time you couldn't resist that minor edit. Or am i the only one that does that?

?

 
Posted : December 16, 2022 6:49 am
Physa/ Guthington/ Amy
(@physa)
Posts: 445
Gold Star Member
 

Just completed draft 9 of my Q1 story. Did my best to fill in obvious plot holes, shorten the longest sentences and paragraphs, and reduce word repetition in sections. I'm going to let it sit for a week and submit it next Friday. Meanwhile I'll be toiling away on something new! Autocrit says nice things about my story [did you know you can compare your prose to Brandon Sanderson in Autocrit?]. Of course, autocrit can't actually read a story, but it does say my prose is tight.

Party Hot Drink  

 

Good luck to everyone on their Q1 stories!

WOTF results:
Vol 42: Q1 SHM, Q2 pending, Q3 ?
running totals to date:
WOTF: 6 Rs, 3 RWCs, 8 HMs, 1 SHM
IOTF: 4 Rs, 3 HMs
Check out my new website: https://www.amyrwethingtonwriterofspeculativeworlds.com/
According to Winston Churchill, "success is going from failure to failure with enthusiasm"
Somehow I lost my Guthington profile, but it's me. Amy Wethington = Guthington = Physa

 
Posted : December 16, 2022 6:49 am
Todd Jones, Anna X, crlisle and 4 people reacted
 TimE
(@time)
Posts: 414
Silver Star Member
 

@physa I'll take a look if you want a fresh pair of eyes run over it.

?

 
Posted : December 16, 2022 6:54 am
Physa/ Guthington/ Amy
(@physa)
Posts: 445
Gold Star Member
 

Posted by: @time

@physa I'll take a look if you want a fresh pair of eyes run over it.

Wow thanks @TimE!. I'll message you...

 

WOTF results:
Vol 42: Q1 SHM, Q2 pending, Q3 ?
running totals to date:
WOTF: 6 Rs, 3 RWCs, 8 HMs, 1 SHM
IOTF: 4 Rs, 3 HMs
Check out my new website: https://www.amyrwethingtonwriterofspeculativeworlds.com/
According to Winston Churchill, "success is going from failure to failure with enthusiasm"
Somehow I lost my Guthington profile, but it's me. Amy Wethington = Guthington = Physa

 
Posted : December 16, 2022 8:13 am
Anna X and TimE reacted
Spencer_S
(@spencer_s)
Posts: 179
Silver Member
 

@physa I second that, if you want someone to give it a read and provide general feedback. Smile

“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

 
Posted : December 16, 2022 8:16 am
Physa/ Guthington/ Amy
(@physa)
Posts: 445
Gold Star Member
 

Posted by: @spencer_s

@physa I second that, if you want someone to give it a read and provide general feedback. Smile

Wow @spencer_s. I'd appreciate it. I'll message you. Amy

 

WOTF results:
Vol 42: Q1 SHM, Q2 pending, Q3 ?
running totals to date:
WOTF: 6 Rs, 3 RWCs, 8 HMs, 1 SHM
IOTF: 4 Rs, 3 HMs
Check out my new website: https://www.amyrwethingtonwriterofspeculativeworlds.com/
According to Winston Churchill, "success is going from failure to failure with enthusiasm"
Somehow I lost my Guthington profile, but it's me. Amy Wethington = Guthington = Physa

 
Posted : December 16, 2022 8:20 am
Anna X and TimE reacted
catherine
(@cweaver)
Posts: 78
Bronze Star Member
 

I'm in for Q1!

Whew!

Author of MG Fantasy Adventures:
Gold Dust
Phoenix Down
Author of an English/Japanese bilingual fantasy for 4-6 year-olds:
Ray and Mia's Adventure
I'm a professional copy editor and also a trained mime. Please don't hold either of these against me.
V37 Q2 HM
V39 Q2 HM, Q3 SHM, Q4 HM
V40 Q1 HM, Q2 HM, Q3 RWC, Q4 HM
V41 Q1 HM
https://catherineweaverauthor.com/

 
Posted : December 18, 2022 2:46 pm
James (Ease), Joel C. Scoberg, TimE and 4 people reacted
Spencer_S
(@spencer_s)
Posts: 179
Silver Member
 

@cweaver Awesome. I wish you all the best this quarter! Smile

“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

 
Posted : December 19, 2022 7:35 am
catherine, Joel C. Scoberg, TimE and 1 people reacted
storysinger
(@storysinger)
Posts: 1546
Platinum Plus
 

Here's hoping you submitted a winner Catherine toast .

Today's science fiction is tomorrow's reality-D.R.Sweeney
HM x5
Published Poetry
2012 Stars in Our Hearts
Silver Ships

 
Posted : December 20, 2022 12:31 pm
catherine, Joel C. Scoberg, TimE and 1 people reacted
(@annax)
Posts: 194
Silver Member
 

I’m finally done with Q1! I’m going to look it over tomorrow and do some editing, then submit. I actually cut out lots of prose. It’s more streamlined now, which I like better. It still tells a complete story without being excessively long. I did keep the first draft copy too because of some details which would make a great different story. 

~ I honestly believe that good stories write themselves. You can always start writing a story, but the characters tell their own tales and if you're lucky enough, you get to merely be in the audience watching everything unfold. ~ 8/1/2022
***
WotF - 2022, V39 Q4: R
WotF - 2022/2023, V40 Q1: HM; Q2: HM; Q3: HM; Q4:HM
WoTF - 2025, V42 Q1: R

 
Posted : December 20, 2022 10:54 pm
Joel C. Scoberg, TimE, Todd Jones and 4 people reacted
Todd Jones
(@toddjones)
Posts: 761
Platinum Member
 

Posted by: @time

@joel-c-scoberg Don't read it again - because if you do, you know you'll find errors introduced last time you couldn't resist that minor edit. Or am i the only one that does that?

The same pit I fall into with the endless read/fix/read/fix/rinse-and-repeat.
I have one more chapter to read/fix tomorrow for my Q1 submission. Then it's just cross my fingers, don't forget to breathe, and wait.

grumpy

 

"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--

 
Posted : December 21, 2022 8:26 pm
storysinger, Joel C. Scoberg, TimE and 1 people reacted
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