If I wear a Fitbit, does twitching count as steps?
@toddsjones I never twitch. It overstresses my self-winding wrist watch
Todd S. Jones
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."~ Henry Ford
Writers of the Future:
2027 V44: ?
2026 V43: HM, HM (HM Resubmit), HM, Pending (HM Resubmit)
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:
- Out of the Frying Pan, into the Friar published in Eric Flint's 1632 & Beyond Issue 19
- Blues 'N Twos HTML version published in On The Premises #46 short story contest
- Southeastern Writers Association: 1st place in Ron Ferrell Memory Museum Award and 3rd place in The Lighthouse Prompt
2025: Southeastern Writers Association: 1st place in Crime Fiction and 3rd place in The Lighthouse Prompt
If I wear a Fitbit, does twitching count as steps?
@toddsjones I never twitch. It overstresses my self-winding wrist watch
If I answer your post, can than count as my creative writing for the day? 😉
"...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: HM Q3: RWC Q4: P
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: 79 submitted 4 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
Hold the twitching. Just got an email from Joni that says:
"Our results from last quarter will not be complete before the current quarter ends, so do not wait for results to re-submit."
SHM: 1 HM: 5 R/RWC: many
Hold the twitching. Just got an email from Joni that says:
"Our results from last quarter will not be complete before the current quarter ends, so do not wait for results to re-submit."
Well clearly she doesn't care to see more of my rubbish as she didn't email me 🤣
"...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: HM Q3: RWC Q4: P
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: 79 submitted 4 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 What is this “rubbish” you speak of? And do I see that you already submitted to Q4? Nice!
V39: - - - HM
V40: SHM, HM, SHM, HM
V41: HM, SHM, SHM, F
V42: DQ, HM, SHM, SHM
V43: HM, HM, -, P
Stories published in DreamForge, Triangulation: Hospitium, Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine, and others.
https://kzrichards.com
@gideonpsmith What is this “rubbish” you speak of? And do I see that you already submitted to Q4? Nice!
lol, yes. That's why instead I am expecting a 'cease and desist' 😉
"...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: HM Q3: RWC Q4: P
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: 79 submitted 4 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
You were busy last year (2025: 163 submitted), if you didn't get a 'cease and desist' then, I'm sure your clear this year with ONLY 79 submitted. Wow, that's a lot and you have nearly 4 months remaining. Good for you. I have an inspirational rock on my shelf with, "You'll always miss 100% of the shots you don't take." Keeping shooting and getting accepted.
I counted mine and I have <30 submissions for the year. I'm going to add that submission count to my goals for next year.
lol, yes. That's why instead I am expecting a 'cease and desist' 😉
Todd S. Jones
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."~ Henry Ford
Writers of the Future:
2027 V44: ?
2026 V43: HM, HM (HM Resubmit), HM, Pending (HM Resubmit)
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:
- Out of the Frying Pan, into the Friar published in Eric Flint's 1632 & Beyond Issue 19
- Blues 'N Twos HTML version published in On The Premises #46 short story contest
- Southeastern Writers Association: 1st place in Ron Ferrell Memory Museum Award and 3rd place in The Lighthouse Prompt
2025: Southeastern Writers Association: 1st place in Crime Fiction and 3rd place in The Lighthouse Prompt
Well clearly she doesn't care to see more of my rubbish as she didn't email me 🤣
It was in the general deadline reminder for those who have subbed before. I suspect you got it (unless having subbed already, you were excluded). I have not yet subbed, but at least have a draft now. Not sure WoTF is the perfect market for it, admittedly, but I have a draft 😂
F x2
SHM x6
HM x15
RWC x1
R Lots
@adrian I also didn't get the email, but I didn't submit a story yet 🙁 . How worried should I be? 🤣 😭
2025: Q3: S-F, Q4: RWC
2026: Q1: -, Q2: RWC, Q3: R (RWC resubmit), Q4 - submitted
Hold the twitching. Just got an email from Joni that says:
"Our results from last quarter will not be complete before the current quarter ends, so do not wait for results to re-submit."
Interesting development. Does anyone recall when this last happened?
HM x 1
SHM x 3
F x 1
ok - so I think there are various newsletter and update things you can be ssigned up for - and depending on which list you are on, I (think) varies whether you get these. At least thats what I'm telling myself lol 😉 I used to get this kind of thing but after wotf gave me too many heart attacks over results and instead getting that kind of email, I unsubscribed from all of them so now I only get results emails....
"...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: HM Q3: RWC Q4: P
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: 79 submitted 4 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
You were busy last year (2025: 163 submitted), if you didn't get a 'cease and desist' then, I'm sure your clear this year with ONLY 79 submitted. Wow, that's a lot and you have nearly 4 months remaining. Good for you.
tbh I should prob update that 79 as its more now - its just there is an acceptance thats not yet updated either but i'm waiting on the contract as i'm a superstitious sort, at least where writing is concerned, and i can't count a victory till i have it for sure.
My success rate did go down this year as I have been focusing more on higher tier venues
"...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: HM Q3: RWC Q4: P
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: 79 submitted 4 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 have an inspirational rock on my shelf with, "You'll always miss 100% of the shots you don't take." Keeping shooting and getting accepted.
and as my sig says ""...I also miss almost 100% of the shots I do take." 😉
"...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: HM Q3: RWC Q4: P
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: 79 submitted 4 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
Interesting development. Does anyone recall when this last happened?
tbh, its def happened in my experience with the competition - I think for both Q1/Q2 and Q3/Q4. So I'm not particularly phased by it as particularly anomalous
"...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: HM Q3: RWC Q4: P
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: 79 submitted 4 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
@adrian I also didn't get the email, but I didn't submit a story yet 🙁 . How worried should I be? 🤣 😭
I definitely wouldn’t stress about it. As long as you’re getting results, your work is being received and judged. Not sure these emails are more than some marketing list created or signed up for at some point in the past, as Gideon said. 🤷
F x2
SHM x6
HM x15
RWC x1
R Lots
tbh I should prob update that 79 as its more now - its just there is an acceptance thats not yet updated either but i'm waiting on the contract as i'm a superstitious sort, at least where writing is concerned, and i can't count a victory till i have it for sure.
My success rate did go down this year as I have been focusing more on higher tier venues
Your doing awesome. Keep up the great work.
Todd S. Jones
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."~ Henry Ford
Writers of the Future:
2027 V44: ?
2026 V43: HM, HM (HM Resubmit), HM, Pending (HM Resubmit)
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:
- Out of the Frying Pan, into the Friar published in Eric Flint's 1632 & Beyond Issue 19
- Blues 'N Twos HTML version published in On The Premises #46 short story contest
- Southeastern Writers Association: 1st place in Ron Ferrell Memory Museum Award and 3rd place in The Lighthouse Prompt
2025: Southeastern Writers Association: 1st place in Crime Fiction and 3rd place in The Lighthouse Prompt
@gideonpsmith How do you even find so many markets? It's impressive.
2025: Q3: S-F, Q4: RWC
2026: Q1: -, Q2: RWC, Q3: R (RWC resubmit), Q4 - submitted
@gideonpsmith How do you even find so many markets? It's impressive.
well, you can use submission grinder to search for markets for a story if you input its genre length etc. That said, I don't actually submit to that many markets. # submissions = (#markets x #stories) so really #submissions just tells you I write a lot of stories.
and the # acceptances either says something about the high tier of the markets I'm targetting, or the low quality of the stories. Maybe a combination 🤣
"...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: HM Q3: RWC Q4: P
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: 79 submitted 4 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
@johnmclaughlin I remember a technical issue one year when 4th qtr came out before 3rd qtr. With twitching on hold, it is time to write. Sept 30 is quickly approaching.
Small steps add up to miles.
5 R, 5 RWC, 11 HM, 1 SHM
"Amore For Life" in After the Gold Rush Third Flatiron Anthology
"Freedom’s Song” in Troubadour and Space Princesses LTUE Anthology
”Through the Eyes of a Canine” in 1632 & Beyond Issue 18 to be released July 1, 2026
@johnmclaughlin I remember a technical issue one year when 4th qtr came out before 3rd qtr. With twitching on hold, it is time to write. Sept 30 is quickly approaching.
I just finished my draft. Will have the computer read it to me tomorrow, which helps find my awkward sentences.
Todd S. Jones
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."~ Henry Ford
Writers of the Future:
2027 V44: ?
2026 V43: HM, HM (HM Resubmit), HM, Pending (HM Resubmit)
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:
- Out of the Frying Pan, into the Friar published in Eric Flint's 1632 & Beyond Issue 19
- Blues 'N Twos HTML version published in On The Premises #46 short story contest
- Southeastern Writers Association: 1st place in Ron Ferrell Memory Museum Award and 3rd place in The Lighthouse Prompt
2025: Southeastern Writers Association: 1st place in Crime Fiction and 3rd place in The Lighthouse Prompt
Check your emails... Q3 notifications just went out!!!
HM for me.
HM x3
SHM x1
- My destiny awaits! 🏆
also... HUGE congrats to my 14 y/o daughter who got a 
"There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed." ~Hemingway (maybe)
2027 V44: TBD
2026 V43: R, HM, HM, P
2025 V42: HM, SHM, RWC, SF
2024 V41: --, RWC, --, R
Very impressive!
HM x3
SHM x1
- My destiny awaits! 🏆
Rejection for me. I’m not gonna lie, rejections are getting to me more and more.
But I still think this’s the best story I’ve ever written (including the S-F one), and will write stuff with these characters again.
2025: Q3: S-F, Q4: RWC
2026: Q1: -, Q2: RWC, Q3: R (RWC resubmit), Q4 - submitted
Rejection for me. I’m not gonna lie, rejections are getting to me more and more.
But I still think this’s the best story I’ve ever written (including the S-F one), and will write stuff with these characters again.
I hear you. I was surprised by my last couple or rejections. They're excellent stories, but not typical "workshop" stories, and I really do think for that reason, they got rejected, and I would argue, but it's purely my own feelings and tastes on the mater, that they're far superior to typical workshop style stories.
HM x3
SHM x1
- My destiny awaits! 🏆
@lambenttyto I think that’s like 50% of the reason. It is quite long, might slightly meander on purpose and, as far as I know, it is VERY atypical. But there’s a lot of stuff In there that I’m 100% proud of and will stand behind, especially in the middle and at the end.
The other 50% is that simply, despite my initial S-F success, my craft is simply not there yet.
I think I’ll still return to this story in a few quarters and give it one last spin before retiring it, or posting it somewhere.
2025: Q3: S-F, Q4: RWC
2026: Q1: -, Q2: RWC, Q3: R (RWC resubmit), Q4 - submitted
I think I’ll still return to this story in a few quarters and give it one last spin before retiring it, or posting it somewhere.
Post it. Write a new story. I find that writing new stories is always better than tinkering with one. I have my 4th quarter entry in and I have a story ready for 1st quarter next year.
HM x3
SHM x1
- My destiny awaits! 🏆
@lambenttyto If I’m resubmitting this one, it’ll be in a few quarters. But yes, posting it on websites might be a better solution.
Anyway, onwards, to drafting Q4 and writing Q1 rejection-candidates 
. (they’re both very similar to the rejected story in some sense, although Q4 story is half the size and Q1 might be a behemoth:D ).
2025: Q3: S-F, Q4: RWC
2026: Q1: -, Q2: RWC, Q3: R (RWC resubmit), Q4 - submitted
Good luck everyone!
SHM: 1 HM: 5 R/RWC: many