Discussion: Q3 Volume 38

I have been trying really hard to hold this emoji in until after the Gala since I realize how much work goes into the Gala week.

Sorry though, I can't hold her any longer.

And before Wulf says it. I know, I know 1ST QTR entry awaits. Cracks whip, back to work.

Posted by: @scott_m_sands

@sinsyne 

Same as Storysinger and Alicia, I got an ARC from galaxy Press. I'm buying the book anywho, but it was great to read the stories before they came out. There are some EXCELLENT stories in there. For any would-be-writers, it's a no brainer. Want to win this contest? The book shows you what they're after. More importantly, these stories are just delightful to read. 
Now that I've read them all, I look forward to giving it a short break. I'll probably go back and read a few of my favorites again.

@AliciaCay, we can't call out names/details as such, but I too have my favourite story. I wonder if it will get the golden pen? 

We can name names now, Scott. Who was your favorite for the Golden Pen?

I SO for real thought The Enfield Report was going to win it! (Also, Chris, the author of that one is super nice and talented, ya'll).

I got to chat with Barbara at some length, winner of V37 GP, for The Sixers, and she is AWESOME! ?

Honestly, they all were. Wow. Hehe.

~A.

Perhaps they struggled to narrow down the finalists and asked the workshop attendants for some input? They could even pass it off as one of the daily classes!

Posted by: @sinsyne

Posted by: @aliciacay

Your comment made me LOL.

Oh, I'm sorry, I should have mentioned that. I  received an ARC, in exchange for leaving an honest review. There are some outstanding fantastic stories in Vol. 37 (as there are in all of them!), and I am wagering my guess at which story will win the Golden Pen!  

I hope everyone has pre-ordered their copy of Volume 37 so you can get it shipped as soon as it's released. This is an awesome collection, ya'll! The first story alone—ahh—so good! ♥♥♥

 

~A.

I might check it out once released, right now I only have a hodgepodge of twelve previous volumes I snagged off ebay and a German used book seller. Pretty much their entire stock. I'm surprised how little presence Germany has in WotF, we're the third largest book market worldwide but there's like three people who place each quarter.

Oooh, do check it out. The stories in Vol 37 are lovely.

I also slowly assembled my collection of the WotF anthologies (I own all 37 of them), by picking them up at used books stores that I traveled through and filling in gaps from ebay sellers 😉

They are all full of wonderful stories, and I definitely have some favorites, however, for studying what Dave and the more current judges like, I recommend Vol 30-37. You'll notice that's when they began coming out with the larger (not mass market) paperback books, and have the full sized color pages of the illustrations. ♥

~A.

@aliciacay 
Oooh! I assumed 'The Tiger and the Waif' might get golden pen. I liked that one.

My fav story was actually 'How to Steal the Plot Armor'. A perfectly delightful take on hero quests.

There were a number of stories I really enjoyed in this anthology. Some fantastic writers.

Posted by: @scott_m_sands

@aliciacay 
Oooh! I assumed 'The Tiger and the Waif' might get golden pen. I liked that one.

My fav story was actually 'How to Steal the Plot Armor'. A perfectly delightful take on hero quests.

There were a number of stories I really enjoyed in this anthology. Some fantastic writers.

Weren't they just?!

I really liked The Tiger and The Waif also, and How To Steal the Plot Armor was among my favorite! ?

~A.

And ah, to have someone look at the anthology and see our stories and say "These ones were my favorites." 

Still tossing up what approach to take with my entries. Some of the more humorous stories have been really fun for me to write recently. They don't tend to take the Golden Pen though, and perhaps not as many other awards. I do enjoy writing deeper stories, too.

Balance! Balance! Balance!

Posted by: @aliciacay

Posted by: @sinsyne

Posted by: @aliciacay

Your comment made me LOL.

Oh, I'm sorry, I should have mentioned that. I  received an ARC, in exchange for leaving an honest review. There are some outstanding fantastic stories in Vol. 37 (as there are in all of them!), and I am wagering my guess at which story will win the Golden Pen!  

I hope everyone has pre-ordered their copy of Volume 37 so you can get it shipped as soon as it's released. This is an awesome collection, ya'll! The first story alone—ahh—so good! ♥♥♥

 

~A.

I might check it out once released, right now I only have a hodgepodge of twelve previous volumes I snagged off ebay and a German used book seller. Pretty much their entire stock. I'm surprised how little presence Germany has in WotF, we're the third largest book market worldwide but there's like three people who place each quarter.

Oooh, do check it out. The stories in Vol 37 are lovely.

I also slowly assembled my collection of the WotF anthologies (I own all 37 of them), by picking them up at used books stores that I traveled through and filling in gaps from ebay sellers 😉

They are all full of wonderful stories, and I definitely have some favorites, however, for studying what Dave and the more current judges like, I recommend Vol 30-37. You'll notice that's when they began coming out with the larger (not mass market) paperback books, and have the full sized color pages of the illustrations. ♥

~A.

Wow, you have all 37 volumes! Impressive.

And it begs the question: do you have an all-time favourite story? Top-ten? Or is this a new thread question?!

You can add to this thread:

https://writersofthefuture.com/forum/science-fiction-fantasy/favorites-from-wotf-anthologies/

Old thread with some classics, but it gets bumped now and again. Maybe time for some new favorites?

Funny I mentioned 2 and 3 changed, but I can't figure what they might be. I do love "Rainbows for Other Days." a LOT.

I'm only missing a few volumes to have the complete collection. I should abebooks them or ebay them. I bought Dave's book not too long ago, "On My Way To Paradise." Excited to have found that paperback.

@axeminister Thanks I'll check it out. I am looking forward to reading some stories on Nov 2.

Posted by: @axeminister

You can add to this thread:

https://writersofthefuture.com/forum/science-fiction-fantasy/favorites-from-wotf-anthologies/

Old thread with some classics, but it gets bumped now and again. Maybe time for some new favorites?

Funny I mentioned 2 and 3 changed, but I can't figure what they might be. I do love "Rainbows for Other Days." a LOT.

I'm only missing a few volumes to have the complete collection. I should abebooks them or ebay them. I bought Dave's book not too long ago, "On My Way To Paradise." Excited to have found that paperback.

Thanks for the other thread mention, Dustin!

Was Rainbows about the fish creatures by any chance? There is a amazing story I read in one of the volumes one night, and I loved it, but now can't find it again because I had just picked a volume at random and read a story without paying attention to which one I'd snagged off the shelf—LOL.

I got Vol. 1 and I keep it in a plastic sleeve, LOL.

~A.

Looks like we can start twitching soon. According to Dave's 318R class he's going to commence judging the Q3 stories soon. I'm hunkered down in my blanket fort surrounded by pillows while I try to concentrate on writing a story.  

@physa got my lattes and granola bars.  

I wonder how soon.

@craydimensional my guess is in about 2 weeks. I think Dave decides on finalists on down and when that happens we are informed and the finalists entries are sent to the final judges.... I think that's how it works. Fingers crossed I can get an HM which is my current goal. I'll get the bonfire going for s'mores,  

@physa you and I have same goal HM

*reinforces pillow fort, hands out paper bags to breathe into* I'm really eager to see how this quarter is going to come out, not gonna lie. I've got my fingers crossed for a great many people.  

@disgruntledpeony thanks for joining us. I have some blanket to add.

@craydimensional Me three.

HM or silver, just not an R

Semi or finalist to raise the bar

A call from Joni would be so fine

A trip to LA will soon be mine

Posted by: @aliciacay

Posted by: @axeminister

You can add to this thread:

https://writersofthefuture.com/forum/science-fiction-fantasy/favorites-from-wotf-anthologies/

Old thread with some classics, but it gets bumped now and again. Maybe time for some new favorites?

Funny I mentioned 2 and 3 changed, but I can't figure what they might be. I do love "Rainbows for Other Days." a LOT.

I'm only missing a few volumes to have the complete collection. I should abebooks them or ebay them. I bought Dave's book not too long ago, "On My Way To Paradise." Excited to have found that paperback.

Thanks for the other thread mention, Dustin!

Was Rainbows about the fish creatures by any chance? There is a amazing story I read in one of the volumes one night, and I loved it, but now can't find it again because I had just picked a volume and random and read a story without paying attention to which one I'd snagged off the shelf—LOL.

I got Vol. 1 and I keep it in a plastic sleeve, LOL.

 

~A.

Alicia,

I also have all the volumes. Could the story you're thinking of be: "Flotsam" by Bradley P Beaulieu? Volume XX.

I'm trying to think of another with creatures! 

I'm not sure myself which result to expect or hope for. I made so many little tweaks after submitting. They may seem small, but with a story under 2K words I feel even a few different words and phrases add up to something significant.

Posted by: @physa

@craydimensional my guess is in about 2 weeks. I think Dave decides on finalists on down and when that happens we are informed and the finalists entries are sent to the final judges.... I think that's how it works. Fingers crossed I can get an HM which is my current goal. I'll get the bonfire going for s'mores,  

Gunning for the same thing, too! An Honourable Mention at least, a Silver HM to be bold. I'm so relieved, I thought I was the only entrant dying from the anxiety of the wait 😀 

@disgruntledpeony, thank you for building us a pillow fort as we wait! I've brought some used tin cans we can use as knight headgear. Just in case some mythical creatures harass us during the wait.

@craydimensional, fingers crossed for you too!

@storysinger, I'm taking a screenshot of this little rhyme. Actually I think all WotF hopefuls should. Throw in a couple of trumpets, a choir and a backing orchestra, this would make a great anthem to sing before submitting for a Quarter! I agree with each line and I wish it for every forumite who has never made it to the HMs.

Posted by: @physa

@craydimensional my guess is in about 2 weeks. I think Dave decides on finalists on down and when that happens we are informed and the finalists entries are sent to the final judges.... I think that's how it works. Fingers crossed I can get an HM which is my current goal. I'll get the bonfire going for s'mores,  

Dave has a monumental task ahead of him right now reading both Q3 and Q4 — and getting the results out — in the next eight weeks! With all those stories, I wonder if he'll skim more and actually read less. That's a TON of stories to get through.

Posted by: @sinsyne

I'm not sure myself which result to expect or hope for. I made so many little tweaks after submitting. They may seem small, but with a story under 2K words I feel even a few different words and phrases add up to something significant.

Once we submit a story, the results are 100% out of our control. Bury yourself in your next story and forget about the last one. Focus all your energy into making the next story AWESOMER than the last. That's really all we can do.

Learn—>Write—>Submit
Learn—>Write—>Submit
Learn—>Write—>Submit

The results have to take care of themselves.

Posted by: @morgan-broadhead

Once we submit a story, the results are 100% out of our control. Bury yourself in your next story and forget about the last one. Focus all your energy into making the next story AWESOMER than the last. That's really all we can do.

Learn—>Write—>Submit
Learn—>Write—>Submit
Learn—>Write—>Submit

The results have to take care of themselves.

Love this! We are always pushing to write write write, but without learning and applying the learning to our writing, we'll never improve.

I have a flash that keeps bouncing back to me with rejection slips every few weeks. Perhaps it's distance from when I originally wrote it, perhaps (hopefully) I am learning as I go, but I see new things to tweak to make it stronger each time. So in addition to

Learn—>Write—>Submit,

I'd add

Learn—>Edit—>Resubmit

Posted by: @prestondennett

Posted by: @aliciacay

Was Rainbows about the fish creatures by any chance? There is a amazing story I read in one of the volumes one night, and I loved it, but now can't find it again because I had just picked a volume and random and read a story without paying attention to which one I'd snagged off the shelf—LOL.

~A.

Alicia,

I also have all the volumes. Could the story you're thinking of be: "Flotsam" by Bradley P Beaulieu? Volume XX.

I'm trying to think of another with creatures! 

I'll look that story up when I get home to see if that's the one I was trying to recall.

It was a story about a woman/person on a spaceship and she finds this planet with fish-like creatures in the sea that can only communicate with these dangling lights. She begins to teach them a language of sorts and then about concepts such as death, etc. It was a FANTASTIC story. I shall find it again one of these days... LOL

~A.

Posted by: @aliciacay

Posted by: @prestondennett

Posted by: @aliciacay

Was Rainbows about the fish creatures by any chance? There is a amazing story I read in one of the volumes one night, and I loved it, but now can't find it again because I had just picked a volume and random and read a story without paying attention to which one I'd snagged off the shelf—LOL.

~A.

Alicia,

I also have all the volumes. Could the story you're thinking of be: "Flotsam" by Bradley P Beaulieu? Volume XX.

I'm trying to think of another with creatures! 

I'll look that story up when I get home to see if that's the one I was trying to recall.

It was a story about a woman/person on a spaceship and she finds this planet with fish-like creatures in the sea that can only communicate with these dangling lights. She begins to teach them a language of sorts and then about concepts such as death, etc. It was a FANTASTIC story. I shall find it again one of these days... LOL

~A.

Nope, not "Flotsam" then. Hmmm...I'm not sure I remember this one! I'm right in the middle of re-reading the entire series...I'm at Volume 20, so it's probably after that. I'm looking forward to finding it! Sounds amazing.

@aliciacay 

I've def read it! That plot sounds so familiar. I just checked the volumes I had but didn't spot it in them, will keep an eye out for it.

Ya, I totally read that one as well. First one who finds it wins?

This probably won't help you guys at all, but I don't believe I've read that 'fish creatures' story. I have volumes: 28, 33, 35, 36, 37 and another couple I can't seem to find. I strongly doubt the story is in one of these volumes.

That might narrow down your search, if only slightly.