HM on a three day story written from scratch in a new universe.
HM-15, SHM-5, F-1
Good luck in Q1, V40 everyone.
Have fun.
F x 3
Pleased to get a silver! And crossing my fingers for some familiar faces in the winner's circle. Onward to Volume 40!
Q3 V38 - F, Q 4 V38 - SHM
Q1 V39 - HM, Q2 V39 - HM, Q3 V39 SHM, Q4 V39 SHM
Got one of those new-fangled RWC. Oh well. I have a new story that just came back from critique group which is way better than this one was. Next quarter could be my shot!
book reviews and writerly thoughts on my blog: www.lizbusby.com
featured on episode 93 of the WotF podcast
Results
V40: HM -
V39: - HM - RWC
Published Stories
"The 37th Ward Relief Society Leftovers Exchange" - religious magical realism story about a different kind of pot luck; winner in the "Saints, Spells, and Starships" contest
"Winter Fog" - Christmas ghost story about a mother and daughter in the Pacific Northwest
Is anyone else a little too aware of who's staying quiet? I've only noticed one or two forumites absent from result reporting, and I'm super super hopeful that they have the best news to share in a week or two.
VOL 40 2nd Quarter: Third Place ("Ashes to Ashes, Blood to Carbonfiber")
Past submissions: R - HM - HM - HM - HM - HM - SHM - SHM
www.jd-writes.com
Kindle Vella - Ashes to Ashes, Earth to Kaybee
Okay…and this is BIG for me:
WHEEEE!!!
Ceci Black
Writer, Musician
Free Album: Captains of Industry (vocals, lyrics, keys & occasional bass)
Composer: Will & Whit The Musical based on Laura Lee Gulledge’s young adult graphic novel, Will & Whit.
v38: HM,--,R,HM
v39: HM,SHM,SHM,F
Okay…and this is BIG for me:
WHEEEE!!!
[I enter the tent through the secret trap door]
[daggone lawn chair is still gunning for me]
[I raise my cup of hot chocolate high to cheer @ceciblack]
[Way to go! So happy for you!!!! I knew you when you were collecting HMs ... :)]
[I give her the biggest and warmest hug for a job well done!]
[looks around the tent and wonders why no one has said anything about SFs]
[shrugs shoulders]
[thinking there are some still sitting on their results...]
[hugs to all who are keeping quiet]
[and also, haven't heard any results from illustrators]
[I grab a fresh s'more, the marshmallow is nice and charred by a dragon]
[melts my dark chocolate bar into a gooey yummy mush]
[looking forward to hearing more news!!!]
WOTF results:
Vol 42: Q1 P, Q2...
running totals to date:
WOTF: 6 Rs, 3 RWCs. 8 HMs
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
Okay…and this is BIG for me:
WHEEEE!!!
That is awesome 
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."~ Henry Ford
2025 V42: Submitted, WIP, ?, ?
2024 V41: RWC (Resubmitted "HM"), 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--
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."~ Henry Ford
2025 V42: Submitted, WIP, ?, ?
2024 V41: RWC (Resubmitted "HM"), 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--
I'm ecstatic. I've been trying to "level up" my writing for a while, especially after five HMs in a row. Somewhere during the beta reader feedback loop of Q4 I felt the spark of an epiphany begin to unfurl. It related to character arcs and emotions, and while I didn't fully understand it, even that small beginning of comprehension immediately improved the Q4 story.
I knew it was better than any of my previous stories, though I could also tell there was a lot of room for improvement. For it to be my first SHM means my analysis of the story was spot on!
So a huge, boundless, endless thanks to everyone in this forum, but especially those that Beta read my Q4.
The best part? That comprehension of how a character arc should structure a story is still unfurling, growing, and while I know I have a ways to go, I'm certain I can write something another level better for Q1.
A vast congratulations to everyone. Even those R's are a genuine accomplishment. They mean you wrote something, finished it, and were brave enough to send it out into the world. I'm proud of you, even if you're currently feeling a little deflated.
Get back to that keyboard, Q1 is coming, and we're going to be ready for it!
That's great news. Congrats!
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."~ Henry Ford
2025 V42: Submitted, WIP, ?, ?
2024 V41: RWC (Resubmitted "HM"), 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--
This quarter seemed to have a lot of great stories. Congrats.
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."~ Henry Ford
2025 V42: Submitted, WIP, ?, ?
2024 V41: RWC (Resubmitted "HM"), 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--
I'm pretty chuffed with this because my entry was less than 1,800 words so I wasn't expecting much. My last two entries were both an "R", so it's a nice feeling to get a mention
Congratulations to all who placed!
Silver Honorable mention isn't easy to achieve. Great job.
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."~ Henry Ford
2025 V42: Submitted, WIP, ?, ?
2024 V41: RWC (Resubmitted "HM"), 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--
Congrats. It is a big win. Hang the certificate on your wall and let it inspire your future winning stories. 
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."~ Henry Ford
2025 V42: Submitted, WIP, ?, ?
2024 V41: RWC (Resubmitted "HM"), 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--
Okay…and this is BIG for me:
WHEEEE!!!
AWESOME, CECI! I am thrilled for you! And if you can do this once, you can do it again and win, as so many in here have proven. GO WULF PACK! We are so proud of you!?
Click here to JOIN THE WULF PACK!
"Super-Duper Moongirl and the Amazing Moon Dawdler" won Best SFF Story of 2019! Read it in Writers of the Future, Vol. 35. Order HERE!
Need writing help? My award-winning SUPER SECRETS articles are FREE in DreamForge.
IT’S HERE! Many have been begged me to publish the Super Secrets of Writing. How to Write a Howling Good Story is now a #1 BESTSELLING BOOK! Get yours at your favorite retailer HERE!
Surprised and delighted to see these results out so soon!
SHM here.
@angelslayah It's due to timing requirements for getting the anthology to print.
HMx9
SHMx1 (Q2'22)
2xCritiquer for Published Winners (Oh yeah, it's now a thing)
Just submitted one of the Q4 finalists
Best wishes to all, and to all a good night. I'm exhausted.
Ugh. HM.
Is it a mark of progress or arrogance that I'm disappointed with an HM? Felt good about that one.
HMx9
SHMx1 (Q2'22)
2xCritiquer for Published Winners (Oh yeah, it's now a thing)
Interesting that this is my post # 1111
That's one one one one
Because...
Yup:
Career: 1x Win -- 2x NW-F -- 2x S-F -- 9x S-HM -- 11x HM -- 7x R
Like me: facebook/AuthorTJKnight
@axeminister OMG HUGEEEE CONGRATS!!!
V39: -- / SHM / SHM / RWC
V40: HM / SHM / SHM / SHM
V41: RWC / HM / SHM / --
V42: -- / WIP
A product of sweat and tears: www.starspunlit.org
DUSTIN!!!!! I AM SO SOSOSOSOSOSOSOSOSOSOOSOSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ECSTATICALLY HAPPY FOR YOU!
AHHHHH!!!!
V36:Q3 HM V37: Q3 R, Q4 SHM V38: R,HM, F, HM V39: HM, SHM, SHM, SHM V40: SF, RWC, ?
@axeminister Congrats!
V38: HM, R, R, HM
V39: RWC, HM, RWC, HM
V40: RWC, HM, SHM, R
V41: R, RWC, R, R
V42: P, WIP
@ceciblack congratulations Ceci.
Small steps add up to miles.
5 R, 4 RWC, 6 HM, 1 SHM
"Amore For Life" in After the Gold Rush Third Flatiron Anthology
"Freedom’s Song” in Troubadour and Space Princesses LTUE Anthology
"Experimenting with the Dance of Death" in Love is Complicated LUW Romance Anthology.
@axeminister I have been waiting to see you win
Awsome. Thank so much for helping me get started last year. Have fun in Hollywood
Small steps add up to miles.
5 R, 4 RWC, 6 HM, 1 SHM
"Amore For Life" in After the Gold Rush Third Flatiron Anthology
"Freedom’s Song” in Troubadour and Space Princesses LTUE Anthology
"Experimenting with the Dance of Death" in Love is Complicated LUW Romance Anthology.
Interesting that this is my post # 1111
That's one one one one
Because...
Yup:
Is anyone else a little too aware of who's staying quiet? I've only noticed one or two forumites absent from result reporting, and I'm super super hopeful that they have the best news to share in a week or two.
OMG. I'm shocked! SHOCKED I tell you!
You totally deserved it, @axeminster. Do they let you buy lottery tickets where you just pick the same number numerous times? You seriously WON with your 1111th post on the 11th page of results in the 11th month at 11pm GMT... maybe a foretelling of your placing for the whole of Vol 39?
VOL 40 2nd Quarter: Third Place ("Ashes to Ashes, Blood to Carbonfiber")
Past submissions: R - HM - HM - HM - HM - HM - SHM - SHM
www.jd-writes.com
Kindle Vella - Ashes to Ashes, Earth to Kaybee
Interesting that this is my post # 1111
That's one one one one
Because...
Yup:
OMG CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Ceci Black
Writer, Musician
Free Album: Captains of Industry (vocals, lyrics, keys & occasional bass)
Composer: Will & Whit The Musical based on Laura Lee Gulledge’s young adult graphic novel, Will & Whit.
v38: HM,--,R,HM
v39: HM,SHM,SHM,F
@physa you crack me up!!! ?
Ceci Black
Writer, Musician
Free Album: Captains of Industry (vocals, lyrics, keys & occasional bass)
Composer: Will & Whit The Musical based on Laura Lee Gulledge’s young adult graphic novel, Will & Whit.
v38: HM,--,R,HM
v39: HM,SHM,SHM,F
@wulfmoon thank you! ?
Ceci Black
Writer, Musician
Free Album: Captains of Industry (vocals, lyrics, keys & occasional bass)
Composer: Will & Whit The Musical based on Laura Lee Gulledge’s young adult graphic novel, Will & Whit.
v38: HM,--,R,HM
v39: HM,SHM,SHM,F
Interesting that this is my post # 1111
That's one one one one
Because...
Yup:
Waitaminnit...who's going to post all our quarterly posterly thingerlies now, then? Huh? Huh? Irresponsible I call it.
And, yeah, congratulations too.
DQ:0 / R:0 / RWC:0 / HM:15 / SHM:7 / SF:1 / F:1
Published prior WotF entries: PodCastle, HFQ, Abyss & Apex
Pending: Q1.V42, Q2.V42 / Q3.V42 in limbo while I work on other things...
Interesting that this is my post # 1111
That's one one one one
Because...
Yup:
Congratulations!!!!!!
@axeminister
Congratulations! I've been rooting for you.
Kent
F x 3
Interesting that this is my post # 1111
That's one one one one
Because...
Yup:
WOWEEE!! Fantastic news. So excited, so happy for you!!! Hip Hip Hooray!!!!!
Elaine Midcoh
Winner - WotF v. 39. ("A Trickle in History")
Published Finalist - WotF v. 37 ("The Battle of Donasi")
2 SHM's / a few HM's / some R's
2022 Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award ("Man on the Moon" - reprinted in "Escape Pod" magazine, June 2023 - read/listen for free at Escape Pod 895: Man on the Moon )
More sci-fi stories published in magazines MetaStellar, Galaxy's Edge, Daily Science Fiction and in anthology, "Compelling Science Fiction Short Stories" (Flame Tree Press-Oct. 2022)
ELAINE MIDCOH – Sci-Fi Author & Short Story Writer (wordpress.com)
@axeminister, You WON WON WON WON !!!
And Congrats to all the Finalists, SHM and HM!
The Forumites made quite a showing!
~ J V Ashley
