Discussion: Q1 Volume 42

I've just submitted Q1 as well. Whew. It's been hanging around for a few days and the tinkers have become small enough, it's time to call it finished. 🤣 A blissful week now for me to work on other things before I have to start thinking about my Q2 entry! No Jan submissions for me. Good luck to all those still in the trenches and I'll be cheering for anyone who might be getting the adrenalin rush of New Year's Eve sprinting.

Posted by: @adrian

↑

I've just submitted Q1 as well. 

Posted by: @adrian

↑

A blissful week now for me to work on other things before I have to start thinking about my Q2 entry! 

@jtwrites I'm actually leaning the other way. I have other writing things I'll be pursuing in the first Q2 months, so while I already have what I think is a good prospect for Q2, I'm setting it aside for now, and planning to revisit what I have on the table for that quarter in March. I might try a late-month raw-writing story for Q2, actually--those can be fun to do, and I'll have most of the quarter to let ideas stew ahead of doing it.

It's said that Q1 is the leanest (best odds to win, wink wink). For fun I broke down my submission stats:

@doctorjest That's fair. I plan to submit early with the aim of pro-ing out before 3rd quarter. I presently have the advantage of moderate-to-severe unemployment which means I'm strategically positioned to launch a full-scale magazine-submission campaign. I have a solid story to submit for Q2 as well as a prime candidate for what will potentially be my first magazine sale.

Thus far, I've only attempted to submit two stories to magazines, one of which Beneath Ceaseless Skies replied to. They said they loved my prose, which was very flattering to hear. Unfortunately, my story was slightly too fable-esk for them. Ah well, better luck on the next one!

@tj_knight Yep, I'm definitely submitting for a well-thought-out analytical reason like this and for no other reason.

@doctorjest Congrats. Sometimes you just have to say enough is enough.

@jtwrites Almost ready to submit for Q1. I have three previous WotF submission stories I'm editing for end of Jan submissions for another market. Feb will be my finish something new for Q2 month.

@adrian

@toddjones Awesome! Hopefully, you'll hear good news!

@jtwrites It's worth bearing in mind that, if you do pull off the impressive achievement of pro-ing out of the Contest before Q3 -- by which I assume you mean hitting those 4 pro-level short fiction sales, crossing the "more than three" boundary in WotF's competition terms -- the actual terms of having crossed that line are publication, as it's professional publications, and not professional sales, that are the contest's disqualifying criteria (unless you're looking at novels or novelettes--it's one novel, two novelettes, or four short stories to disqualify yourself, provided each meets the contest's conditions for being considered a professional publication).

Given the turn-around rates of most pro markets, it is very unlikely (though not impossible, if you hit all the quick ones) that all four will already have been published by Q3. Once you hit that fourth sale, the clock is ticking, but it doesn't stop running until that story is officially out there, in the wild--and you can sub right up until you're disqualified.

@doctorjest Oh wow. That's news. I admit to working off of memory and misremembered the details. Basically, I was thinking it was only 2 sales and that "publication" counted at the point of sale. Thank you for the reminder/clarification! Now, it seems likely that I'll have to produce Q3 material.

I'm in for Q1! It would be awesome to win during the Ultimate volume

Subbing that RWC that I got with about 4.5k more added. I'm very pleased with the story.

I'm in for Q1.

@toddjones Lol. I have found the best way to fight the wait is to start writing the next one.

Aaaaahhhh I’m cutting it too close. My story is close to being done, and this one is going to need lots of edits. Realistically I may not have time, but I work well under pressure. Goal: Submit something. Doesn’t matter, just get it submitted. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

@m-norris You got this. Keep working at it. Fingers crossed for you.

@m-norris You've got this.

@m-norris  and all the others struggling towards the deadline - good luck, you've got this!  

I have re-written the opening for an RWC and hopefully addressed the issues it had. At least I personally think it's much better now. I still want to edit the rest of the story as much as I can, the very least skim it and cut down anything unnecessary. Time is an issue, but I'll hold on to the story until NYE and see what I can do until then.

Anyone else still working on their Q1, you can do it!

I'm in. This story hurt my head sometimes. Good luck to everyone.

Me, three seconds before hitting the Submit button: "This is the coolest story I've ever written."
Me, three seconds after hitting the Submit button: "That story sucks."

I am in for the quarter. Good luck, everyone!

Posted by: @morgan-broadhead

↑

Me, three seconds before hitting the Submit button: "This is the coolest story I've ever written."
Me, three seconds after hitting the Submit button: "That story sucks."

I am in for the quarter. Good luck, everyone!

I'm sure Morgan 3 seconds before submission had better perspective and was closer to the truth

Posted by: @morgan-broadhead

↑

Me, three seconds before hitting the Submit button: "This is the coolest story I've ever written."
Me, three seconds after hitting the Submit button: "That story sucks."

 

Well isn't that the most relatable thing I've heard today  

I'm in!

The week after Christmas was just what I needed. My kids went wild, playing with Lego dragons and eating entirely too many slices of chocolate orange. Half-stale cookies were my saving grace.

May the snacks be with you! You can do this!

Guys guess what? Against all odds, I have a first draft. Only problem is it’s terrible. Tomorrow, no matter what, I’ll submit it.

Until then, if any of you lovely authors have time to look it over (it’s like 8.5K but I’d be grateful even if you just gave me a first 450 critique) DM me and I will love you forever. 

Good luck to everyone submitting!

Posted by: @folkloremipsum

↑

I'm in!

The week after Christmas was just what I needed. My kids went wild, playing with Lego dragons and eating entirely too many slices of chocolate orange. Half-stale cookies were my saving grace.

May the snacks be with you! You can do this!

lego has often been my savior as far as distracting the kids - and Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without chocolate oranges!

congrats on submitting!

Posted by: @m-norris

↑

Guys guess what? Against all odds, I have a first draft. Only problem is it’s terrible. Tomorrow, no matter what, I’ll submit it.

Until then, if any of you lovely authors have time to look it over (it’s like 8.5K but I’d be grateful even if you just gave me a first 450 critique) DM me and I will love you forever. 

Good luck to everyone submitting!

I can't do 8.5k in one night but I could do the 450 if you DM it to me

I'm in with one of my longer stories.  I like it, but I'm beyond predictions at this point.  It had to get done tonight because I told the kiddos tomorrow night they can try to stay up with me until midnight for the first time.

Best wishes to those still polishing.