Discussion Q4 Volume 38

FYI:

There were 100 SHMs and 469 HMs

Posted by: @dragonchef

FYI:

There were 100 SHMs and 469 HMs

Sounds about right. Represents the top 10-15% of entries for the quarter.

Okay, I have been given permission to spill the beans.

I am a published finalist for Volume 38!

I don't get to use the coveted "I WON" emoji, not yet, but I get all the rest of it--the workshop, the art, my story alongside so many others. I really can't believe it. I started entering this contest 3 months after I started writing fiction. I began writing short fiction for this contest. Almost all my writing friends, I met through this contest. It's staggering to think I'll be going to the workshop--completely surreal.

I could list the litany of names of people who helped me get here, but instead I'll just say this: I am grateful to each and every one of you.

Grit will out!

Posted by: @rschibler

Okay, I have been given permission to spill the beans.

I am a published finalist for Volume 38!

I don't get to use the coveted "I WON" emoji, not yet, but I get all the rest of it--the workshop, the art, my story alongside so many others. I really can't believe it. I started entering this contest 3 months after I started writing fiction. I began writing short fiction for this contest. Almost all my writing friends, I met through this contest. It's staggering to think I'll be going to the workshop--completely surreal.

I could list the litany of names of people who helped me get here, but instead I'll just say this: I am grateful to each and every one of you.

Grit will out!

CONGRATULATIONS, BECKY!  I get to go to Hollywood with you!  

@rschibler Woohoo! That’s awesome! I can’t wait to read your published finalist. 

Have fun in Hollywood!

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I am so incredibly happy for you. You deserve it so much. I can't wait to read your story. Which submission is the one that will go on to be published (or is it all 3 😉 )?

Posted by: @scribblesatdusk

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I am so incredibly happy for you. You deserve it so much. I can't wait to read your story. Which submission is the one that will go on to be published (or is it all 3 😉 )?

It is my first finalist, a 5k historical fantasy

@rschibler 

That's awesome, and you've earned it! This is a terrific "virtual" community, but I'm sure it'll be even more amazing in person. Congratulations!

Congratulations, @rschibler!  

Posted by: @rschibler

Okay, I have been given permission to spill the beans.

I am a published finalist for Volume 38!

I don't get to use the coveted "I WON" emoji, not yet, but I get all the rest of it--the workshop, the art, my story alongside so many others. I really can't believe it. I started entering this contest 3 months after I started writing fiction. I began writing short fiction for this contest. Almost all my writing friends, I met through this contest. It's staggering to think I'll be going to the workshop--completely surreal.

I could list the litany of names of people who helped me get here, but instead I'll just say this: I am grateful to each and every one of you.

Grit will out!

This is the only logical outcome to three freekin finalists in one volume year. I mean, yeah.

Good on the contest for the recognize.  

@rschibler Well done. And with your recent record, you should be a winner this year and going a 2nd time.

Posted by: @rschibler

Okay, I have been given permission to spill the beans.

I am a published finalist for Volume 38!

I don't get to use the coveted "I WON" emoji, not yet, but I get all the rest of it--the workshop, the art, my story alongside so many others. I really can't believe it. I started entering this contest 3 months after I started writing fiction. I began writing short fiction for this contest. Almost all my writing friends, I met through this contest. It's staggering to think I'll be going to the workshop--completely surreal.

I could list the litany of names of people who helped me get here, but instead I'll just say this: I am grateful to each and every one of you.

Grit will out!

WOOT WOOT! Man that is AWESOME! So incredibly excited for you, and looking forward to reading about your experience at the workshop and awards ceremony. Also, I'm dying to read about your big cover art reveal! Personally, I think that's one of the coolest parts about being published in the anthology. So give us the details when you can! I can only imagine how incredibly excited you are right now!

WOOHOO!!!
Congrats, @rschibler
I knew you would be the Published Finalist!
Enjoy the excitement of anticipation between now and the Gala. Please, share the ride with us. 

@rschibler Ha! I had a feeling. So awesome! Published finalist is a pretty exclusive club! Congratulations! Yay!

Way to go on published finalist! You deserve it to the power of 3!

  -  Two foumites going to Hollwood. That is fantastic. @disgruntledpeony and @rschibler - congrats to you both. You SO deserve it! May your days be filled with contracts and signings.

Posted by: @dragonchef

  -  Two foumites going to Hollwood. That is fantastic. @disgruntledpeony and @rschibler - congrats to you both. You SO deserve it! May your days be filled with contracts and signings.

And NV Haskell And Brittany And KD Julicher. What a party!

Posted by: @axeminister

And NV Haskell And Brittany And KD Julicher. What a party!

 

OMG!!! I am so sorry I forgot those folks. Tunnel vision had me only looking at this quarter.

FIVE forumites going to Hollwood.

"We will rise and conquer!"

I'm so happy for you Rebecca. I'm hoping it's the first of two consecutive galas for you, after you win next year. You rock.

@rschibler 

Congratulations! What an awesome year you've had.

@rschibler Congratulations, Becky! PUBLISHED FINALIST! You get the full meal deal! I'll update the Q4 Summary and repost! SEE YOU IN HOLLYWOOD!

(Reposting because we had a surprise update! Do read down to the end. FIVE from the WotF Forum in one year must be a NEW RECORD!)

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

@rschibler My heart is singing! I saw the acceptance on Submission Grinder & went straight to the forum. Congratulations!

So very excited to get to hang with all these friends in Hollywood! And read their amazing stories! I'm so excited, guys, it's going to be EPIC.

Posted by: @kd-julicher

So very excited to get to hang with all these friends in Hollywood! And read their amazing stories! I'm so excited, guys, it's going to be EPIC.

I know! I get giddy every time I think about it.  

Posted by: @morgan-broadhead

↑

Posted by: @aliciacay

 

That quotation mark thing has happened to me before too. Most often when I switch from Scrivener to MS Word and make touch-ups in the Word doc. (eep!)

Also, thank you for the shout-out! **blushes** LOL

I'm honored and grateful to be trusted to, and to get to read ya'lls stories. So many incredible artists abound on this forum (and beyond). I am rooting for each and every one of you!
Now, excuse me while I'm just over here hollering that ya'll place in the contest, or win, or get new words down, but mostly, that you have fun writing!

Best of luck, everyone!

 

~A. ♥

Glad to see I'm not the only one who drafts in Scrivener and finishes in Word!  

Apologies for resurrecting an old post, but may I ask why you do this?  I just started using Scrivener (trial).  So far, I'm very pleased.

@abeona I do love me some Scrivener. But I have found that, when compiling and exporting my final draft, sometimes *wonky* things happen with the formatting — extra spaces get added, weird characters like hash marks and dollar signs show up, etc. So I have to do a final pass and clean things up before submitting.

Posted by: @morgan-broadhead

↑

@abeona I do love me some Scrivener. But I have found that, when compiling and exporting my final draft, sometimes *wonky* things happen with the formatting — extra spaces get added, weird characters like hash marks and dollar signs show up, etc. So I have to do a final pass and clean things up before submitting.

Interesting, thank you!  I will watch out for that.