@gideonpsmith Interesting. I never received an email, but I knew it was a “no” since I was beta reading and mine obviously wasn’t there. It seems like they don’t really do published finalists anymore because I haven’t seen one in years.
My theory is that Jody's anthologies have met the minimal page count with the 12 stories (whatever that count may be). Need a few flash stories to win, then there'd probably be a PF. 
Career: 1x Win -- 2x NW-F -- 2x S-F -- 9x S-HM -- 11x HM -- 7x R
Like me: facebook/AuthorTJKnight
My theory is that Jody's anthologies have met the minimal page count with the 12 stories (whatever that count may be). Need a few flash stories to win, then there'd probably be a PF.
I haven't studied the statistics on it, but it seems to me that they are accepting more of the longer stories in the last few years, stories that reach up into novella length.
Write so long as words keep flowing...
http://www.DocHonourBooks.com
WotF: 19 submissions, every quarter since V38
SFx1; HMx8; RWCx6
FWA RPLA: 1st place Gold story (2022); 1st place Gold novel (2023)
@ehonour I have plenty of ideas 😆 I have 3 stories in the works at the moment. I just didn't have enough time to get one of them done before the end of Q1. Even if I had managed to bust out a story in 2 days, I don't think I'd have wanted to submit it, because I wouldn't have much time to edit.
v42: - - - HM
@ehonour one of the stories in V40 was even over the 17,000 word limit! But I don't have stats on earlier volumes, so can't compare. Also one of the V40 stories was either the shortest or second shortest ever, I believe.
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
Anything? Probably too early.
Today is Thursday, after all. 
Career: 1x Win -- 2x NW-F -- 2x S-F -- 9x S-HM -- 11x HM -- 7x R
Like me: facebook/AuthorTJKnight
Anything? Probably too early.
Today is Thursday, after all.
Good one, 
! Happy Wednesday everyone, 
WOTF results:
Vol 43: Q1 Pending, Q2 in progress
running totals to date:
WOTF: 7 Rs, 4 RWCs, 8 HMs, 2 SHMs
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
Anything? Probably too early.
Today is Thursday, after all.
I'm not starting to jitter until March.
Writers of the Future:
2026 V43: HM, Submitted (HM Resubmit), Dreaming up ideas
2025 V42: RWC, HM (HM Resubmit), HM, SHM
2024 V41: RWC (HM Resubmit), HM, RWC, Finalist (RWC Resubmit)
2023 V40: HM, HM, R, HM
2022 V39: SHM, HM, Semi-finalist, HM (HM Resubmit)
2021 V38: -, -, -, HM
2020 V37: -, R, -, -
Other Achievements:
2026: 46th "On The Premises" short story contest: HM and Published in HTML format
2025: Southeastern Writers Association: 1st in Crime Fiction and 3rd in The Lighthouse Prompt
Todd S. Jones
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."~ Henry Ford
@tj_knight Prior announcements for this quarter were:
March 16 2025
March 31 2024
March 21 2023
So, in other words.... stop stirring 🤣
"...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
"...I also miss almost 100% of the shots I do take."
- Gideon Smith
Writers of the Future:
2026 Q1: R Q2: P Q3: TBD Q4: TBD
2025 Q1: HM Q2: SHM Q3: HM Q4: HM (resub of 2024 HM)
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:
2026: 18 submitted 2 acceptances
2025: 163 submitted 10 acceptances
2024: 53 submitted 8 acceptances
2023: 74 submitted 13 acceptances
2022: 22 submitted 1 acceptance
2026 goals: a. 2025 Novel submitted to agents/publishers b. Draft 0 of a new novel c. Speak at a con on panels d. Write 3 serious shorts NOT for WOTF e. Submit something, somewhere, every month
Oh my lord, I got an email!
But it was just spam. Nothing to do with V43 Q1, which makes sense, because I didn't enter.
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
@kz_richards Do you mean you were beta reading for the upcoming issue? If so, how does one go about becoming one?
but I knew it was a “no” since I was beta reading and mine obviously wasn’t there.
2025: HM x2
2026: SHM
@kz_richards Do you mean you were beta reading for the upcoming issue? If so, how does one go about becoming one?
but I knew it was a “no” since I was beta reading and mine obviously wasn’t there.
Usually if they need people, they post on here asking for people to email and say they are willing. I know they do go back to people who have done it before first so sometimes it seems they don't need fresh blood, but the call is usually around Novemberish if I remember correctly if they need people.
"...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
"...I also miss almost 100% of the shots I do take."
- Gideon Smith
Writers of the Future:
2026 Q1: R Q2: P Q3: TBD Q4: TBD
2025 Q1: HM Q2: SHM Q3: HM Q4: HM (resub of 2024 HM)
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:
2026: 18 submitted 2 acceptances
2025: 163 submitted 10 acceptances
2024: 53 submitted 8 acceptances
2023: 74 submitted 13 acceptances
2022: 22 submitted 1 acceptance
2026 goals: a. 2025 Novel submitted to agents/publishers b. Draft 0 of a new novel c. Speak at a con on panels d. Write 3 serious shorts NOT for WOTF e. Submit something, somewhere, every month
@gideonpsmith Makes sense now. I'll definitely keep my ear to the ground around that time, too.
Thanks for clearing that up, Gideon.
2025: HM x2
2026: SHM
well that post on the submission grinder made me check my email (and then my spam folder when I found nothing in inbox) 🤣
"...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
"...I also miss almost 100% of the shots I do take."
- Gideon Smith
Writers of the Future:
2026 Q1: R Q2: P Q3: TBD Q4: TBD
2025 Q1: HM Q2: SHM Q3: HM Q4: HM (resub of 2024 HM)
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:
2026: 18 submitted 2 acceptances
2025: 163 submitted 10 acceptances
2024: 53 submitted 8 acceptances
2023: 74 submitted 13 acceptances
2022: 22 submitted 1 acceptance
2026 goals: a. 2025 Novel submitted to agents/publishers b. Draft 0 of a new novel c. Speak at a con on panels d. Write 3 serious shorts NOT for WOTF e. Submit something, somewhere, every month
@gideonpsmith so what did that sub grinder post mean?
"There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed." ~Hemingway (maybe)
2026 V43: R, P, TBD
2025 V42: HM, SHM, RWC, SF
2024 V41: --, RWC, --, R
I'm guessing another 2-3 weeks... 
"There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed." ~Hemingway (maybe)
2026 V43: R, P, TBD
2025 V42: HM, SHM, RWC, SF
2024 V41: --, RWC, --, R
Haha. That reminds me of when someone considers their HM as an acceptance.
Career: 1x Win -- 2x NW-F -- 2x S-F -- 9x S-HM -- 11x HM -- 7x R
Like me: facebook/AuthorTJKnight
@mgamblesee I think it means (probably) someone who doesnt put the dates in sub grinder correctly. probably didn't acctually submit 90 days ago, probably submitted in q4 and then only entered sub details late. And now just got back to writing q2 entry/something else and updating their sub grinder with 'oh yeah that one was rejected'.
Could be wrong, but generally I think sub grinder stats should be regarded with skepticism, and especially on something like wotf where the majority of writers are not using it, or only just starting using it as they are early in writing process.
"...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
"...I also miss almost 100% of the shots I do take."
- Gideon Smith
Writers of the Future:
2026 Q1: R Q2: P Q3: TBD Q4: TBD
2025 Q1: HM Q2: SHM Q3: HM Q4: HM (resub of 2024 HM)
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:
2026: 18 submitted 2 acceptances
2025: 163 submitted 10 acceptances
2024: 53 submitted 8 acceptances
2023: 74 submitted 13 acceptances
2022: 22 submitted 1 acceptance
2026 goals: a. 2025 Novel submitted to agents/publishers b. Draft 0 of a new novel c. Speak at a con on panels d. Write 3 serious shorts NOT for WOTF e. Submit something, somewhere, every month
I'm guessing another 2-3 weeks...
(but with all that said, seeing WOTF on the list did make my heart jump) lol
"...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
"...I also miss almost 100% of the shots I do take."
- Gideon Smith
Writers of the Future:
2026 Q1: R Q2: P Q3: TBD Q4: TBD
2025 Q1: HM Q2: SHM Q3: HM Q4: HM (resub of 2024 HM)
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:
2026: 18 submitted 2 acceptances
2025: 163 submitted 10 acceptances
2024: 53 submitted 8 acceptances
2023: 74 submitted 13 acceptances
2022: 22 submitted 1 acceptance
2026 goals: a. 2025 Novel submitted to agents/publishers b. Draft 0 of a new novel c. Speak at a con on panels d. Write 3 serious shorts NOT for WOTF e. Submit something, somewhere, every month
I'm guessing another 2-3 weeks...
I'm guessing mid-March.
BUT, they have been streamlining the process, which means that any day can be an Announcement Thursday.
Writers of the Future:
2026 V43: HM, Submitted (HM Resubmit), Dreaming up ideas
2025 V42: RWC, HM (HM Resubmit), HM, SHM
2024 V41: RWC (HM Resubmit), HM, RWC, Finalist (RWC Resubmit)
2023 V40: HM, HM, R, HM
2022 V39: SHM, HM, Semi-finalist, HM (HM Resubmit)
2021 V38: -, -, -, HM
2020 V37: -, R, -, -
Other Achievements:
2026: 46th "On The Premises" short story contest: HM and Published in HTML format
2025: Southeastern Writers Association: 1st in Crime Fiction and 3rd in The Lighthouse Prompt
Todd S. Jones
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."~ Henry Ford
Haha. That reminds me of when someone considers their HM as an acceptance.
Yep, even finalists that don't make the cut are rejections. Exception could be the finalist stories published when WotF needs to fill page counts. I consider those a quasi-win (published finalist) when you consider they get to go to the awards ceremony and special training class.
Writers of the Future:
2026 V43: HM, Submitted (HM Resubmit), Dreaming up ideas
2025 V42: RWC, HM (HM Resubmit), HM, SHM
2024 V41: RWC (HM Resubmit), HM, RWC, Finalist (RWC Resubmit)
2023 V40: HM, HM, R, HM
2022 V39: SHM, HM, Semi-finalist, HM (HM Resubmit)
2021 V38: -, -, -, HM
2020 V37: -, R, -, -
Other Achievements:
2026: 46th "On The Premises" short story contest: HM and Published in HTML format
2025: Southeastern Writers Association: 1st in Crime Fiction and 3rd in The Lighthouse Prompt
Todd S. Jones
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."~ Henry Ford
The last three Q1 result dates (dd/mm/yyyy):
10/04/2023
16/03/2024
11/03/2025
35: - R R R | 36: R HM R R | 37: HM HM HM SHM | 38: HM HM HM HM | 39: HM HM HM SHM | 40: HM R SHM SHM | 41: R HM SHM R | 42: HM R R HM
5 SHM / 15 HM / 11 R
I'd be happy to wait until April this year, not ready for my rejection yet lol
I'd be happy to wait until April this year, not ready for my rejection yet lol
You're writing and submitting. That is a great accomplishment.
Writers of the Future:
2026 V43: HM, Submitted (HM Resubmit), Dreaming up ideas
2025 V42: RWC, HM (HM Resubmit), HM, SHM
2024 V41: RWC (HM Resubmit), HM, RWC, Finalist (RWC Resubmit)
2023 V40: HM, HM, R, HM
2022 V39: SHM, HM, Semi-finalist, HM (HM Resubmit)
2021 V38: -, -, -, HM
2020 V37: -, R, -, -
Other Achievements:
2026: 46th "On The Premises" short story contest: HM and Published in HTML format
2025: Southeastern Writers Association: 1st in Crime Fiction and 3rd in The Lighthouse Prompt
Todd S. Jones
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."~ Henry Ford
@toddsjones Oh yeah, I am genuinely happy to be back on the horse! Even if the horse is a donkey 😀 It's just that I am getting to the point of panicking about time with my Q2 and I know that when the notice comes, it stirs things up and it's that much harder to stay focused on the current work.
The last three Q1 result dates (dd/mm/yyyy):
10/04/2023
16/03/2024
11/03/2025
It's March!
Writers of the Future:
2026 V43: HM, Submitted (HM Resubmit), Dreaming up ideas
2025 V42: RWC, HM (HM Resubmit), HM, SHM
2024 V41: RWC (HM Resubmit), HM, RWC, Finalist (RWC Resubmit)
2023 V40: HM, HM, R, HM
2022 V39: SHM, HM, Semi-finalist, HM (HM Resubmit)
2021 V38: -, -, -, HM
2020 V37: -, R, -, -
Other Achievements:
2026: 46th "On The Premises" short story contest: HM and Published in HTML format
2025: Southeastern Writers Association: 1st in Crime Fiction and 3rd in The Lighthouse Prompt
Todd S. Jones
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."~ Henry Ford
First Thursday of March is coming up. 
WOTF results:
Vol 43: Q1 Pending, Q2 in progress
running totals to date:
WOTF: 7 Rs, 4 RWCs, 8 HMs, 2 SHMs
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
First Thursday of March is coming up.
Writers of the Future:
2026 V43: HM, Submitted (HM Resubmit), Dreaming up ideas
2025 V42: RWC, HM (HM Resubmit), HM, SHM
2024 V41: RWC (HM Resubmit), HM, RWC, Finalist (RWC Resubmit)
2023 V40: HM, HM, R, HM
2022 V39: SHM, HM, Semi-finalist, HM (HM Resubmit)
2021 V38: -, -, -, HM
2020 V37: -, R, -, -
Other Achievements:
2026: 46th "On The Premises" short story contest: HM and Published in HTML format
2025: Southeastern Writers Association: 1st in Crime Fiction and 3rd in The Lighthouse Prompt
Todd S. Jones
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."~ Henry Ford
"There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed." ~Hemingway (maybe)
2026 V43: R, P, TBD
2025 V42: HM, SHM, RWC, SF
2024 V41: --, RWC, --, R
Isn't early news news of rejection, though?
- My destiny awaits! 🏆
Isn't early news news of rejection, though?
In my experience so far, early news, late news, and middle news are all news of rejection.
So I guess it doesn't matter...? 😉
"...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
"...I also miss almost 100% of the shots I do take."
- Gideon Smith
Writers of the Future:
2026 Q1: R Q2: P Q3: TBD Q4: TBD
2025 Q1: HM Q2: SHM Q3: HM Q4: HM (resub of 2024 HM)
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:
2026: 18 submitted 2 acceptances
2025: 163 submitted 10 acceptances
2024: 53 submitted 8 acceptances
2023: 74 submitted 13 acceptances
2022: 22 submitted 1 acceptance
2026 goals: a. 2025 Novel submitted to agents/publishers b. Draft 0 of a new novel c. Speak at a con on panels d. Write 3 serious shorts NOT for WOTF e. Submit something, somewhere, every month
