Yup! I'm going back to the quarter that started it all!
Book birthday! 5/16/23
Some advice - based on my experience - be adaptable. Some of us work on this longer than others who win right out of the box (I'm looking at you, Arthur H. Manners). My first story was just what I had at the time, and was literally all that I had at the time. Then, I studied the anthologies and researched some of KD's likes and made finalist a few months later.
Then - Dave. More studying, reading, and another finalist.
Now, Jody. She says, "Grip me and don't let go." This is not to say start with things blowing up or your spacesuit character at 1% oxygen (although that might work), but to offer an interesting character in an interesting place doing an interesting thing.
Then things go wrong.
So... if you're looking to adapt, AKA to read Jody's first anthology, and discover 12 stories you know gripped her and didn't let go - now's your chance.
And if you happen to particularly like the story of a guy who meets an alien boy, well, I'm okay with that. 
Career: 1x Win -- 2x NW-F -- 2x S-F -- 9x S-HM -- 11x HM -- 7x R
Like me: facebook/AuthorTJKnight
Amazon assures me that my copy will be delivered today. I'm eagerly anticipating its arrival.
@tj_knight Thanks for the advice! I’ve definitely learned a lot by reading the volume, and I would encourage everyone else to do so as well. There are some amazing stories in there, and the one about meeting an alien boy was one of them. ?
V39: - - - HM
V40: SHM, HM, SHM, HM
V41: HM, SHM, SHM, F
V42: P
Stories published in Triangulation, Neo-opsis Science Fiction Magazine, Flash Fiction Magazine, and others.
https://kzrichards.com
@joel-c-scoberg Thank you, Joel. I hope you enjoy reading them!
“Stories are the collective wisdom of everyone who has ever lived. Your job as a storyteller is not simply to entertain. Nor is it to be noticed for the way your turn a phrase. You have a very important job—one of the most important. Your job is to let people know that everyone shares their feelings—and that these feelings bind us. Your job is a healing art, and like all healers, you have a responsibility. Let people know they are not alone. You must make people understand that we are all the same.”
Brian McDonald
2022: Second Place Winner V39 Q1
2021: HM, HM, SHM
2020: R
2019: SHM, R
2018: HM
2017: HM
Check out my fiction and more at spencersekulin.net
Writers of the Future Vol 39 is $0.99 today!
And probably free if you've delayed any Amazon shipments recently for the digital credit!
https://www.amazon.com/Ron-Hubbard-Presents-Writers-Future-ebook/dp/B0BWHDJV4K/
Go get it and leave an honest review for our fellow forumites!
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
Cool. I grabbed a copy. Now I can show off my art: portable and digital!
Career: 1x Win -- 2x NW-F -- 2x S-F -- 9x S-HM -- 11x HM -- 7x R
Like me: facebook/AuthorTJKnight
I'm eagerly anticipating its arrival.
Got mine Wednesday. Excited to go through it.
"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--
@tj_knight I finished your story last night, thoroughly enjoyed; nice job. (and I thought the artwork was cool too.) 
3rd Place Q3 Vol 41
Submission record: R x 2 / HM x 7 / SHM x 2 / W x 1
Stories published in Daily Science Fiction, Every Day Fiction, 365tomorrows, and Gwyllion Magazine.
Find out more on my website: https://joelcscoberg.com/
About one third of the way through. Every story I've read is great. All absolute gems.
Preston Dennett
HM x 12
F x 1
Winner, 2nd place, Q1, Volume 35
40 stories published! (and counting!)
@joel-c-scoberg Appreciated!
Yeah, I freekin love my art. Exceeded my expectations and I had a good picture in mind.
Career: 1x Win -- 2x NW-F -- 2x S-F -- 9x S-HM -- 11x HM -- 7x R
Like me: facebook/AuthorTJKnight
@lost_bard I read your story last night and it really tickled me. Great set up and execution of the ending too.
3rd Place Q3 Vol 41
Submission record: R x 2 / HM x 7 / SHM x 2 / W x 1
Stories published in Daily Science Fiction, Every Day Fiction, 365tomorrows, and Gwyllion Magazine.
Find out more on my website: https://joelcscoberg.com/
@lost_bard I read your story last night and it really tickled me. Great set up and execution of the ending too.
So glad you enjoyed it! Guess what...there's more to the story. "Death and the Taxman" the novel-length version will be coming soon to a Kickstarter near you.
Death and the Taxman, my WotF V39 winning story is now a novel! (Click Here >).
Death and the Dragon launches on Kickstarter August 27th. (Click Here >)
Subscribe to The Lost Bard's Letter at www.davidhankins.com and receive an exclusive novelette!
New Releases:
"The Missing Music in Milo Piper's Head" in Third Flatiron's Offshoots: Humanity Twigged
"To Catch a Foo Fighter" in DreamForge Magazine
"Milo Piper's Breakout Single that Ended the Rat War" in LTUE's Troubadours and Space Princesses anthology
"The Rise and Fall of Frankie's Patisserie" in Murderbugs anthology
"Felix and the Flamingo" in Escape Pod
"The Devil's Foot Locker" in Amazing Stories
@spencer_s I really enjoyed your story, really atmospheric and it had a good thriller pacing/feel to it. Hope the novelisation of it goes / is going well (and same to you @lost_bard). Great artwork too.
3rd Place Q3 Vol 41
Submission record: R x 2 / HM x 7 / SHM x 2 / W x 1
Stories published in Daily Science Fiction, Every Day Fiction, 365tomorrows, and Gwyllion Magazine.
Find out more on my website: https://joelcscoberg.com/
@joel-c-scoberg Thank you! Glad you liked it. I'm still in the process of idea dumping / elucidating the plot and characters, but I intend to have a draft done by the year's end.
“Stories are the collective wisdom of everyone who has ever lived. Your job as a storyteller is not simply to entertain. Nor is it to be noticed for the way your turn a phrase. You have a very important job—one of the most important. Your job is to let people know that everyone shares their feelings—and that these feelings bind us. Your job is a healing art, and like all healers, you have a responsibility. Let people know they are not alone. You must make people understand that we are all the same.”
Brian McDonald
2022: Second Place Winner V39 Q1
2021: HM, HM, SHM
2020: R
2019: SHM, R
2018: HM
2017: HM
Check out my fiction and more at spencersekulin.net
