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
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.
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
@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
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
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
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
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!
@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.
@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!
@wulfmoon and there goes my secret...submit in Q1
Vol. 39 Q1: HM
Vol. 40 Q1: SHM
@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!
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. 
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
@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
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.
@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!
@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 
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.
@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.
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! 😀
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.
@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?
?
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.
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
@physa I'll take a look if you want a fresh pair of eyes run over it.
?
Wow thanks @TimE!. I'll message you...@physa I'll take a look if you want a fresh pair of eyes run over it.
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
@physa I second that, if you want someone to give it a read and provide general feedback. 
“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
Wow @spencer_s. I'd appreciate it. I'll message you. Amy@physa I second that, if you want someone to give it a read and provide general feedback.
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
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/
@cweaver Awesome. I wish you all the best this quarter!
“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
Here's hoping you submitted a winner Catherine 
.
Today's science fiction is tomorrow's reality-D.R.Sweeney
HM x5
Published Poetry
2012 Stars in Our Hearts
Silver Ships
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
@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.
"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--
