Discussion Q4 Volume 38

Posted by: @crlisle

Congrats to all! Who won?

Not always, but winners normally have a gag order placed on them by Joni. I know that’s the case in this quarter. And sometimes she forgets to release you—Joni has a lot to track. She forgot to let me know in my quarter, and I had to ask her if it was okay since other winners were announcing. 

And so, we wait. ?

@dragonchef A favor to ask, oh illustrious chef. Since we already have a topic for birthday wishes, could you please post these there? Thanks kindly. It keeps this from getting cluttered up with birthday wishes, when it’s really a folder to support, cheer on, commend, and congratulate those that submitted to each respective quarter. Thanks so much. We still have more celebrating to do here. ?

Here’s the folder: https://writersofthefuture.com/forum/and-the-kitchen-sink-members-only/hey-hey-they-say-its-your-birthday/

@wulfmoon I honestly was not aware of a separate folder for birthday wishes - my bad - Lo siento mucho, Je suis désolé, Przepraszam, Pasensya na, סליחה!

@dragonchef No worries, DragonChef! Just keeping this clear for the present party going on. We’ve still got more checking in, and it’s hard to keep up with all the good news. ?

Congratulations to all those who placed and those who are persevering!

I am trying not to jump to conclusions as to who our winners might be but feel that there has got to be at least one here. Hopefully more than that. 

Crossing fingers and trying not to notice who hasn't posted yet... 

Another HM for me. I'm pleased again. I wasn't too sure about this story, because it was sort of a retro 1930s-style SF. Two submissions, two HMs. We'll see what happens in Q1.

I got my Q3 email today, several days after Q4. That's a new one! Not a gripe, I just thought it was kind of funny.

Posted by: @babooher

I got my Q3 email today, several days after Q4. That's a new one! Not a gripe, I just thought it was kind of funny.

Yep, Q3 had issues beyond WotF's control. Those Q3s are hand-batched. Computer program wins the race...when it's working right.

@dragonchef Thanks, did not notice Application submitted but I will look again I could easily of missed it. 

Now I can decide which story to send this month too.

Man, the last 48 hours have been crazy for me. I feel like I'm playing catch-up all over again! That said:

Posted by: @subs_bubs

@joel-c-scoberg I've also received a straight R from a re-written SHM (Q2) this quarter, so don't feel alone! 

I only made two changes in my submission: the intro and adding more emotion to the low point of my main character. Soooo, I think it's safe to say that it's my intro that could be re-evaluated (*re-RE-evaluated, lol). But I hope you are able to keep feeling good about this story! Success is rarely a steady climb up, as we all know all too well.

Definitely good to take a look at the intro, yeah--Kary had to be extra strict, this quarter. (Might be good to get some feedback with the intention to resub.)

Posted by: @cabarrett

 

With the results coming out, I think I'm also safe to say that I've had the second phone call telling me this story did not place, but I'm hoping that we have a winner from the forum!

I want to thank Wulf for the advice to aim high when submitting. This story was actually rejected in the past by a token pay market. At the time that got me down but now I'm glad I didn't sell it for $10 lol.

What it has in common with my previous finalist: dead cats. Burn your Blake Snyder books! (jk don't) 

Congratulations! Awesome job.  

Posted by: @ldwriter2

Well, well this was a surprise. I had forgotten which quarter we were on.  Third quarter was really late. 

And a second surprise:

 

 

A good thing. So I know he read my story all the way through for this one.  But For my certificate I forget which story I sent in. Been busy with other things and still forgetting to come here, so I haven't been thinking about it.  

Congratulations! I know you've been working hard.   

Posted by: @galen

Congratulations all!

Reporting a Silver HM this time out.

Back to the trenches!

Woohoo!

Posted by: @shallion1191

Hey everyone, first post here although I've lurked for some time. These last two quarters were my first 'serious' submissions (knuckled down, put the work in, etc.) and I was pleased to receive SHMs for both. But the question remains: how to progress further? I've heard John and other WOTF-affiliates speak about the finalist/winner divide; how at that stage it can be a matter of personal taste, but what about lower down?
I'm worried there's something I'm not 'getting'. Any advice for me? Do others feel the same?
Much appreciated, and congratulations to all on their results.
Sam x  

SHMs are the stories that get set aside to be whittled down to the F/SF pile. I've, uhhh, definitely gotten my fair share, and my best advice is this: Keep writing. Keep practicing. SHMs are the stories Dave had to think about, to really consider, so that definitely means you're on the right track. (Also, keep in mind that if other stories get lower results in future quarters, that doesn't necessarily mean you're backsliding. It might just mean that particular story didn't grab Dave in the same way.)

My other best piece of advice would be that, if you're not already getting feedback on your work, it would be wise to start doing critique trades or some such. It's always important to take that sort of thing with a grain of salt, but solid feedback (and a willingness to figure out what advice to take or leave) can be the difference between an SHM and something higher. Sometimes other writers will have an easier idea of seeing what aspects of a given story need to be shored up than the author will. (And if you have or find a good critique partner, it's wise to keep trading with them! Finding people whose advice consistently helps your stories improve is invaluable.)

Posted by: @gmanwriter

R for me. Darn, not sure I've ever had back to back Rs before--following an SHM no less! Then again these two stories were extremely experimental. That's what I get for trying new things, I guess.  

 

Congrats to all who placed! Onward to Q1! If anyone is interested in swapping stories, please send a PM.

Don't lose heart on the experimental factor. I've had some less than satisfactory results with some of my writing experiments, but others have done very well. I'm sure the same is (or will be) true for you, if you stick with it. After all, trying new things is how we learn and improve!  (I can't speak for anyone else in this regard, but I tend to learn more from my mistakes and/or failures than my successes.)

Posted by: @dragonchef

Although - And it's sad to say because I should be over the moon - HMs and SHMs are starting to feel like Rs. When did that happen?

Technically, anything but the winning stories is an R (in that it's not a sale), and I think the more we enter the more we start to feel that. It could also be because writers are always wanting to make forward progress, and when we get the same result (or a lower result than we're hoping for), it can feel like backsliding. (It is NOT necessarily backsliding! But it can definitely feel that way.) Just my take on the subject, because that's how it seems to work for me.

Posted by: @morgan-broadhead

Got my email this morning!

Dear Writer,

Congratulations! Your story has been judged and is a Semi-Finalist for the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest 4th quarter (entries received between July and September of 2021).

WOOT WOOT!

Congratulations, Morgan!  

Posted by: @joel-c-scoberg

Bit gutted this morning. I got my first "R". It was a rewrite of a SHM, which I thought I had improved quite a lot (obviously not!). So, my downward trajectory continues...SHM>HM>R   Third time is not lucky for me it seems  

Anyways, onto Q1 and a new year ahead!

Do keep in mind, Kary said that this quarter was particularly rough because of the time crunch and some stories that might not normally get R's got them this quarter because she didn't have as much time to devote to individual stories as she wanted to. She encouraged everyone who got R's this quarter to resubmit. (It might still be good to look over the opening to make sure pacing is solid and spec element shows up in relatively short order, but it might not hurt to simply resub as is if you feel it's a good story.)

Posted by: @babooher

on a rewrite/revision of a previous Silver. So...at least I didn't backslide?

That's a good way to look at it, yeah.   

Posted by: @scribblesatdusk

Disappointing as I really loved this story. It's my favorite of all my submissions to WOTF so far. Onto Q1!

If it's your favorite, that might well mean it's worth a revise and resub!  

Congratulations to everyone!!!! The full listing is now posted here:

https://writersofthefuture.com/writers-of-the-future-4th-quarter-winners-announced-for-volume-38/

Wow, that's an impressive list of honorees! HUGE congrats to the winners! And to everybody on the list, and who entered. Amazing!

Congratulations Z.T. Bright on your win.  

Congrats on making Finalist Rebecca. This has been a great year for you, keep it going.

Posted by: @jason

Congratulations to everyone!!!! The full listing is now posted here:

Wow. That's a long list of HMs this time. Does that mean Q4 got a lot more submissions? Or that the stories were significantly better? Or that the judges are getting easier? Perhaps Wulf could chime in on this...

I’ve always wanted to do this

thanks everyone! 

congrats to anyone who placed at all. And to all the R’s, keep taking risks. They won’t all pay off but they’ll help you get better, help you learn.

Congrats, @ZeeTeeBeeZ! I love your emoji! I'm incredibly happy for you! 

& Wow, @RETreasure! You're on fire, pounding on that Gala door. You're gonna get in or pro-out beforehand. Well done! 

Posted by: @jason

Congratulations to everyone!!!! The full listing is now posted here:

https://writersofthefuture.com/writers-of-the-future-4th-quarter-winners-announced-for-volume-38/

Thanks for getting the official list posted, Jason. As always, we appreciate all your hard work behind the scenes!

Posted by: @zeeteebeez

I’ve always wanted to do this

thanks everyone! 

congrats to anyone who placed at all. And to all the R’s, keep taking risks. They won’t all pay off but they’ll help you get better, help you learn.

Congratulations!  

Posted by: @jeschleicher

Wow, @RETreasure! You're on fire, pounding on that Gala door. You're gonna get in or pro-out beforehand. Well done! 

HA! It does feel that way. "LET ME IN! LET ME IN!"

This time it was pretty gutting to not place. Mostly, I think, because I was still processing not placing in Q3.

Win or Pro Out has been my motto since I started entering the contest. I've always hoped to win and THEN pro out 😉 but I'm going to keep doing what I've always done regardless. I've followed Heinlein's Rules, pretty much, since I started and they've served me well. No reason to change what is working!

Super congratulations to @zeeteebeez on the second place win. You've put a ton of work into your writing and dang has it paid off! I'm so excited for you!

And, again, congratulations to everyone! The certificates are shiny, yes, but everyone here is leveling up, building community, working hard, growing and challenging themselves. That's what it's all about. I love it

Posted by: @ehonour

Posted by: @jason

Congratulations to everyone!!!! The full listing is now posted here:

Wow. That's a long list of HMs this time. Does that mean Q4 got a lot more submissions? Or that the stories were significantly better? Or that the judges are getting easier? Perhaps Wulf could chime in on this...

Good question, Doc Honour. Joni and I have talked about it. And I’ve heard Dave talk about it on WotF panels, too. The quality of writing in the submissions has substantially increased. Having more time to write with lockdowns and decreased travel has undoubtedly played its part—the more you write, the better you get. Joni attributes the increase to the Writers of the Future Online Writing Course, and that can’t be denied. Many thousands have taken that course now, and it’s taught by the WotF workshop instructors. They teach the same story principles I learned from AJ, Algis Budrys, the first contest coordinating judge. You take that Online Workshop, you’re no longer stumbling in the dark. You know the elements necessary to create a working story. Properly applied, that knowledge will gain you an HM and beyond.

Knowledge is power. Application of knowledge is wisdom.

There’s a lot of writers getting wise through that workshop. ?

Posted by: @wulfmoon

Posted by: @ehonour

Wow. That's a long list of HMs this time. Does that mean Q4 got a lot more submissions? Or that the stories were significantly better? Or that the judges are getting easier? Perhaps Wulf could chime in on this...

Good question, Doc Honour. Joni and I have talked about it. And I’ve heard Dave talk about it on WotF panels, too. The quality of writing in the submissions has substantially increased.

Thanks for the thoughts and summary of your discussions, Wulf. It's encouraging to know that people are writing better—but of course, that also means the competition is tougher! That applies both to WotF and to the markets where we submit.

And yes, I did take the online course. It was very good, reinforced a lot of things I'd already learned from other sources and taught me a few new things as well. 

Congratulations, @zeeteebeez! Super excited for you!

@rschibler, three finalists in one volume is amazing. I can't imagine the mixed feelings that come with it, but clearly Dave wants to get you into the anthology. Soon! Regardless, I'm sorry that this one was particularly difficult.

YaY! Volume 38 Finalists and winners are official and can now weigh in! I recognize two names from the Forum under Finalists: RETreasure (Becky), and CABarrett (Catherine)! If I missed someone else, do weigh in, it’s hard to tell when most have handles here that are different from their public names.

Congratulations, Becky! Three Finalists in one year is a stellar achievement! May next year hold your winner—you’re certainly hitting the bullseye! UPDATE: Becky announced one of her stories was chosen as PUBLISHED FINALIST. This means she gets flown to Hollywood and enjoys the full meal deal, including the workshop, gala, and publication in Writers of the Future, Vol. 38! Well done, Becky!

Congratulations, Catherine! A Finalist at the end of the Vol.37 year, and now a Finalist at the end of Vol. 38? Plus having a baby in the middle of all that? Well done! May next year hold your winner as well!

There are also wonderful achievements from Forumites all down the list. We have to commend RJK Lee and Morgan Broadhead for their first Semifinalists! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, getting commentary on your story by an NYT bestselling author is one of the most unsung benefits of this Contest. You can turn that critique into gold. Or cash, when you sell that story to a respectable market after application of the counsel. Nice!

To all those that achieved Silver HMs—some of you enjoyed a level up moment!—recognize the validation. That certificate indicates the coordinating judge David Farland thought your writing was so good, he had you in his  possible winner stack, but had to whittle it down. But you were there, right next to that bullseye with your arrow. Next time, you could hit the mark. Fire it off to another market—many have sold their Silvers to respectable markets. 

To all those with HMs, we make it look easy, but those are no small thing with thousands from around the world entering every quarter. As Kevin J. Anderson once told me, those HMs really mean something, they don’t give those out lightly. Dave is saying he sees your potential and hopes you’ll submit again. Do so! Just look at the signatures in our Finalists and Winners. Almost everyone started with HMs and worked their way up. As the Mandalorian says, “This is the way.”

If you didn’t place, that happens. Like Formula One racer Mario Andretti said, “If you’re not coming back to the pits holding a steering wheel once in awhile, you’re not trying hard enough.” Dust yourself off, try to get pro eyes on your work to see if there’s something you should focus on, and go write your next. No rookie with a proper view of themselves expects to win a major race first time out. It can happen, but it’s more likely he or she will have to put in the hours. That’s how we build our skills, by doing the work. Never throw in the towel, and you’ll see your reward for hard work.

Finally, WE HAVE A WINNER! Our own ZEET! Better known as Z.T. Brite. CONGRATULATIONS! He won the Mike Resnick Memorial Award for New Writers earlier this year, and now THIS! I can’t say I didn’t see it coming—I’ve seen Zeet’s work and knew it was just a matter of time. Well done, Zeet! I’ll see you in HOLLYWOOD! And we’ll all be cheering as we see you take the stage! 

Is that FOUR Forumites for the Volume 38 year??? 1. Brittany Rainsdon 2. Elizabeth Ticknor 3. NV Haskell 4. Z.T. Brite. UPDATE: Five! Rebecca E. Treasure announced being chosen as a Published Finalist. I know we’ve had three before, but FIVE? This must be a record. WHAT A STELLAR YEAR!

Here’s to all of you as we advance to a new Contest year. May your stars shine ever brighter! And thanks for doing your part in making this a warm and friendly place to gather and grow. You are appreciated!

Cheers!

Wulf Moon

Forum Moderator

@wulfmoon thanks Moon!

This forum has been an amazing tool. There are some wonderful people here. So very generous to take time to help everyone. Moon, Liz, and Becky to name a few.

That is an excellent summary Wulf.

Four forumites in one volume is quite an achievement. Who will be the next to score a bullseye? 

@rschibler Amazing you got three finalist placements in one year. So sorry you didn't win. Really hoping you get a spot in the book though as a published finalist. You sooo deserve it. Looking forward to seeing you win next year. With your track record, I know you can do it.

@zeeteebeez I so agree with you! I would never have won this contest without all the help I got from this forum. Congrats on your win! You're in for an amazing ride!

@zeeteebeez Feel free to continue to come here and hang out with us.