[Quiet settled over the tents]
[collective breaths held]
[Another Thursday has passed by]
[like a cold, clammy fog]
[no emails yet]
[no idea if any have received phone calls]
[In summary, NNINN]
Just a quick note for those of you who are new. Just a few facts gathered over the years.
1. results can happen on days that are not Thursday
2. usually emails notifying folks of what their story got: DQ, R, RWC, HM, SHM] come first [and the batches come in the order as indicated above]. Calls to finalists happen at some point [usually before the bulk emails, but apparently not always]. Emails to SF folks are made at some point [perhaps after that first call to finalists, perhaps along with the other emails]. After that second call [finalists are usually sworn to secrecy during that first call], more results are posted F, winners [1st, 2nd, 3rd].
3. the timing of results depends on the number of entries for that quarter and the schedules of first readers, Jody, Joni, and the judges Joni picks to judge the top eight entries.
4. Given the level of variation in timing, twitching tents are set up to help blow off steam and commiserate with fellow entrants.
5. Used to be when Kary was first reader she'd pop in and warn us of pending results [and I understand that meant finalists were about to get calls]. Sometimes Martin will make a cryptic post to indicate results are imminent. But of late, results seem to appear out of nowhere before proper twitching can occur. Like I check my email and there's an email from Joni with my result. I hadn't even really begun to twitch yet.
6. Last year the stars aligned and Q3 results were released August 23 [which is insanely early]. Who knows how this year will go. Every year is different.
[sets out a fresh batch of scones and hot beverages]
[grabs a marshmallow and a stick and heads to the dragon s'more station]
[wishes everyone the best of luck]
WOTF results:
Vol 42: Q1 SHM, Q2 SHM, Q3 P, Q4 ?
running totals to date:
WOTF: 6 Rs, 3 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
[Quiet settled over the tents]
[collective breaths held]
[Another Thursday has passed by]
[like a cold, clammy fog]
[no emails yet]
[no idea if any have received phone calls]
[In summary, NNINN]
Just a quick note for those of you who are new. Just a few facts gathered over the years.
1. results can happen on days that are not Thursday
2. usually emails notifying folks of what their story got: DQ, R, RWC, HM, SHM] come first [and the batches come in the order as indicated above]. Calls to finalists happen at some point [usually before the bulk emails, but apparently not always]. Emails to SF folks are made at some point [perhaps after that first call to finalists, perhaps along with the other emails]. After that second call [finalists are usually sworn to secrecy during that first call], more results are posted F, winners [1st, 2nd, 3rd].
3. the timing of results depends on the number of entries for that quarter and the schedules of first readers, Jody, Joni, and the judges Joni picks to judge the top eight entries.
4. Given the level of variation in timing, twitching tents are set up to help blow off steam and commiserate with fellow entrants.
5. Used to be when Kary was first reader she'd pop in and warn us of pending results [and I understand that meant finalists were about to get calls]. Sometimes Martin will make a cryptic post to indicate results are imminent. But of late, results seem to appear out of nowhere before proper twitching can occur. Like I check my email and there's an email from Joni with my result. I hadn't even really begun to twitch yet.
6. Last year the stars aligned and Q3 results were released August 23 [which is insanely early]. Who knows how this year will go. Every year is different.
[sets out a fresh batch of scones and hot beverages]
[grabs a marshmallow and a stick and heads to the dragon s'more station]
[wishes everyone the best of luck]
This is the best summary of twitching I’ve ever read! If you’re new, 👀👆
[approaches twitching tent]
[s’mores do sound good…]
V39: - - - HM
V40: SHM, HM, SHM, HM
V41: HM, SHM, SHM, F
V42: DQ, HM, P
Stories published in Triangulation: Hospitium, Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine, Flash Fiction Magazine, and others.
https://kzrichards.com
An additional comment about Thursday announcements.
It's an inside joke that every day can be a Thursday when announcements are concerned.
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."~ Henry Ford
2025 V42: RWC, HM (HM Resubmit), Submitted, WIP
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 (R Resubmit)
2020 V37: -, R, -, -
@gideonpsmith ...I was just more curious as to whether Q3 had consistent results.
well, consistently so far I haven't won it 😉
"...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
Writers of the Future:
2025 Q1: HM Q2: SHM Q3: P Q4: TBD
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:
2025: 115 submitted 8 acceptances
2024: 53 submitted 8 acceptances
2023: 74 submitted 13 acceptances
2022: 22 submitted 1 acceptance
2025 goals: a. New Novel b. New piece submitted/month c. 100 rejections
@gideonpsmith It looks like you've received Finalist before, though, which is fantastic. The closest I've gotten is semi-finalist.
@haganenoedward Thank you! That is true. I'm a tiny bit worried I'm going to pro out next year, though. I'm feeling the pressure to get that win.
EDIT
Every Day Is Thursday 😉
Career: 1x Win -- 2x NW-F -- 2x S-F -- 9x S-HM -- 11x HM -- 7x R
Like me: facebook/AuthorTJKnight
@annmarieinlr I get this! I named the MC in my winning story after a friend, who then passed away a month after I submitted the entry (long before results came out). I'm dedicating the story to him.
i hope you win! Good luck!
"Each No is one step closer to Yes." —Mike Strickland
2025 Q1: HM Q2: Win!
2024 Q3: RWC Q4: RWC
@stricklandia Oh, Mike, I am so sorry! I'd love to hear about your friend sometime.
@annmarieinlr Thanks—hopefully next April in Hollywood! 🙌🏻
"Each No is one step closer to Yes." —Mike Strickland
2025 Q1: HM Q2: Win!
2024 Q3: RWC Q4: RWC
Out of curiosity, is the phone number from the contest a 1-800 number?
“We're all stories in the end, just make it a good one, eh?” - Matt Smith in Doctor Who
@knyghtstyk For me, it came through as "No Caller ID." So, the kind of call I would typically ignore or send to voicemail.
"Each No is one step closer to Yes." —Mike Strickland
2025 Q1: HM Q2: Win!
2024 Q3: RWC Q4: RWC
[The Hobbit adds some cookies on the table in the twitching tent]
[then gets her computer]
[The QTR 4 story is not going to edit itself.]
Small steps add up to miles.
5 R, 5 RWC, 7 HM, 1 SHM
"Amore For Life" in After the Gold Rush Third Flatiron Anthology
"Freedom’s Song” in Troubadour and Space Princesses LTUE Anthology
Two days and not a flutter. No fear-filled dreams of desire spoken from the safety of mythical tent walls, the insides of which are filled with platters of delectable victuals, and mugs brimming with luscious libations. One could fear that declarations had already been established. Say it isn’t so.
3 HMs
6 SHMs
Umpteen Rs
Still hoping and working toward better -
One of these days, Alice . . . POW! We're going to the moon!
Is it Thursday yet?
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, RWC, 3rd qtr. pending, 4th qtr. WIP
Amateur published stories:
"The Army Ration That Saved the Earth" in For Glory and Honor, LTUE 2026 anthology
"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
@crlisle, It is Thursday...but is it THE Thursday?
“We're all stories in the end, just make it a good one, eh?” - Matt Smith in Doctor Who
[The hobbit hears the hungry howls of the twitchers.]
[What should serve tonight?]
[Seeing that tonight is the big game between the teradactls and dragons, hot wings, cheese fries, and poppers are in order.]
[Today is a Thursday, but maybe not the Thursday.]
Small steps add up to miles.
5 R, 5 RWC, 7 HM, 1 SHM
"Amore For Life" in After the Gold Rush Third Flatiron Anthology
"Freedom’s Song” in Troubadour and Space Princesses LTUE Anthology
Is my phone on? Is it charged? Where is it?
Oh, in my hand.
Why isn't it ringing?
Wait ... Nope, just CVS calling.
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."~ Henry Ford
2025 V42: RWC, HM (HM Resubmit), Submitted, WIP
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 (R Resubmit)
2020 V37: -, R, -, -
@toddjones I’m waiting for the call AND the terrifying “we reject your story and you should never write again” email at the same time 😅.
@haganenoedward Reject is just a way of saying, keep writing. Also, review the story if rejected, but send it out to other markets.
I had a story RWC Q1 that I didn't change and sent out and it took 3rd in another contest. It could just be that it isn't WotF's thing/topic or the slush reader didn't see something that other markets may see.
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."~ Henry Ford
2025 V42: RWC, HM (HM Resubmit), Submitted, WIP
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 (R Resubmit)
2020 V37: -, R, -, -