@crlisle thank you @crlisle ! There's so many disappointemnts we have in this writing lark - I'm trying to make the good feels last 
"...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: TBD Q2: TBD Q3: TBD Q4: TBD
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:
2025: 163 submitted 10 acceptances
2024: 53 submitted 8 acceptances
2023: 74 submitted 13 acceptances
2022: 22 submitted 1 acceptance
2025 goals: a. New Novel b. New piece submitted/month c. 100 rejections
well, after winning Baen today, I can't focus at all. The emotions are real... 🤪
Take it easy, relax, and bask in the glow of the win. But don’t get comfortable, you have fantastical tales.
Again, congrats.
wise words @toddjones ! ... and here I am, writing again 😉
"...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: TBD Q2: TBD Q3: TBD Q4: TBD
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:
2025: 163 submitted 10 acceptances
2024: 53 submitted 8 acceptances
2023: 74 submitted 13 acceptances
2022: 22 submitted 1 acceptance
2025 goals: a. New Novel b. New piece submitted/month c. 100 rejections
I've just recently finished the first draft of a novelette I wanted to send as my Q4 story, but to be honest, I want to first send the story to other places before I submit it here, plus I'll need to heavily edit some parts (especially the first scene of the ending hadn't landed for me). Plus, recently, I really want to learn from and kinda "imitate" Le Guin and generally improve my prose, and while this piece is sometimes nice, it is either plain or clunky in a lot of places and lacks details. Basically, there's a lot more work to do there than I expected, so it might be pushed into Q4.
But now, let's work on a short story that I'm 90% is screaming for more breathing room and becoming a novella. I'll try to work on this one and let the finished first draft rest for a few days or a week.
2025: Q3: S-F, Q4: RWC
2026: Q1: -, Q2: TBD
How is everyone getting along with their Q4 stories?
Writers of the Future:
2026 V43: Submitted
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:
2025 SWA: Crime Fiction Contest - 1st Place, The Lighthouse Prompt - 3rd Place
Todd S. Jones
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."~ Henry Ford
@toddjones I have several possibilities. When we get closer to the deadline, I'll decide which to submit
Jason P. Crawford
Author of Urban Fantasy and Sci-Fi (for now!)
Finalist for 2024 Baen Fantasy Adventure Award
3rd Place Winner for 2025 Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award
Q3 V31: HM Q2 V39: SHM Q2 V40: SHM Q2 V41: HM Q2 V42: RWC
Q3 V38: HM Q3 V39: SHM Q3 V40: SHM Q3 V41: HM Q3 V42: P
Q4 V38: R Q4 V39: SHM Q4 V40: SHM Q4 V41: RWC
Q1 V39: HM Q1 V40: RWC Q1 V41: SHM Q1 V42: SHM
A Q4 story has not formed in my brain yet. Halfway through the period and I really should have something down by now, but I've been focused on other projects lately. That said, if I were truly desperate, I have some stories I could send, it's just they would be more place-fillers more than designed specifcally for this competition... then again given how the latter hasn't led to a win, maybe I should just try the former 🤔
"...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: TBD Q2: TBD Q3: TBD Q4: TBD
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:
2025: 163 submitted 10 acceptances
2024: 53 submitted 8 acceptances
2023: 74 submitted 13 acceptances
2022: 22 submitted 1 acceptance
2025 goals: a. New Novel b. New piece submitted/month c. 100 rejections
@gideonpsmith - You've got this. You're great with the flash fiction, so maybe it's time to turn one into a longer story???
I have my story, scene 1 done (I think), scene 2 drafted (going to edit today), snippets and notes in other scenes (need to make scene 1 and 2 are tight to ensure I'm on the right track for scene 3 try/fail and remaining scenes.)
Writers of the Future:
2026 V43: Submitted
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:
2025 SWA: Crime Fiction Contest - 1st Place, The Lighthouse Prompt - 3rd Place
Todd S. Jones
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."~ Henry Ford
Am I imagining things or is this graphic subtely different? Maybe the type got bolder?
"...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: TBD Q2: TBD Q3: TBD Q4: TBD
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:
2025: 163 submitted 10 acceptances
2024: 53 submitted 8 acceptances
2023: 74 submitted 13 acceptances
2022: 22 submitted 1 acceptance
2025 goals: a. New Novel b. New piece submitted/month c. 100 rejections
Funny. That loaded in for me on the left instead of appearing from cache. I thought my internet was slow again this morning.
Career: 1x Win -- 2x NW-F -- 2x S-F -- 9x S-HM -- 11x HM -- 7x R
Like me: facebook/AuthorTJKnight
@gideonpsmith Funny you mention it. I just paused on it today too, like it was new image, but I couldn't recall what it used to look like. Thought it might just be all the gray hairs on my head confusing me.
Writers of the Future:
2026 V43: Submitted
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:
2025 SWA: Crime Fiction Contest - 1st Place, The Lighthouse Prompt - 3rd Place
Todd S. Jones
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."~ Henry Ford
Hey, gang! I hope everyone's stories are coming along nicely. I drafted the first 2/3s of what I'll likely submit. Then, I peeked in on submission grinder to see what was what. I spied a Valkyrie-themed submission call and thought, hey, I can do that. Well, the next day I sat down and knocked out the 4,000 word first draft in a single sitting 😎 Now, I just need to revise it over the weekend and have it turned in by Monday! Then, it's back to work on this quarters entry!
F:0 / SF:0 / SHM:0 / HM:1 / RWC:2 / R:1
Previous Submissions: Q2V40, Q3V41, Q1V42, Q2V42, Q3V42
Q4V42 Window: In Development
www.sagaheim.net
@jtwrites Congrats on WotF draft and the awesome 4k writing session. Got to strike when the brain is firing off ideas. Good luck.
Writers of the Future:
2026 V43: Submitted
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:
2025 SWA: Crime Fiction Contest - 1st Place, The Lighthouse Prompt - 3rd Place
Todd S. Jones
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."~ Henry Ford
@toddjones Thanks! Yeah, I wasn't expecting to fully draft that story in one go. I was on call, so I expected to leave for work somewhere in the middle. Fortunately, it all worked out!
F:0 / SF:0 / SHM:0 / HM:1 / RWC:2 / R:1
Previous Submissions: Q2V40, Q3V41, Q1V42, Q2V42, Q3V42
Q4V42 Window: In Development
www.sagaheim.net
I'm about 3/4ths through my second draft, and there's one thing that makes me happy and terrifies me at the same time: I don't see many issues. Obviously there are SOME, like I have to add 2-3 paragraphs to flesh out some parts of worldbuilding and characters (but mainly the world), but other than that and obvious grammar/spelling issues, there isn't much to do here, especially compared to my previous works, where I had to either add or throw out entire scenes.
Hopefully, by Sunday or Monday, I will be able to send this story to my alpha readers and see how to proceed.
2025: Q3: S-F, Q4: RWC
2026: Q1: -, Q2: TBD
@gideonpsmith Congratulations! That's awesome! 
Writers of the Future stats:
V32: Q3 - R
V33: Q3 - R
V39: Q4 - RWC
V40: RWC, R, HM, HM
V41: R, HM, RWC, HM
V42: HM, HM, HM, RWC
V43: Q1 - Revising
All markets submission stats:
264 Submissions
254 Rejections
34 Personal Rejections
1 Acceptances
well, after winning Baen today, I can't focus at all. The emotions are real... 🤪
Very cool! Congrats! Will you be at DragonCon to accept the award from Baen?
"There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed." ~Hemingway (maybe)
2026 V43: P, Edits
2025 V42: HM, SHM, RWC, SF
2024 V41: --, RWC, --, R
well, after winning Baen today, I can't focus at all. The emotions are real... 🤪
Very cool! Congrats! Will you be at DragonCon to accept the award from Baen?
Yes, I will! May be the only award I'll ever get, so nothings going to stop me from going to receive it! 😉
"...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: TBD Q2: TBD Q3: TBD Q4: TBD
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:
2025: 163 submitted 10 acceptances
2024: 53 submitted 8 acceptances
2023: 74 submitted 13 acceptances
2022: 22 submitted 1 acceptance
2025 goals: a. New Novel b. New piece submitted/month c. 100 rejections
well, after winning Baen today, I can't focus at all. The emotions are real... 🤪
Very cool! Congrats! Will you be at DragonCon to accept the award from Baen?
Yes, I will! May be the only award I'll ever get, so nothings going to stop me from going to receive it! 😉
No, Gideon. It's only the beginning. Remember that.
Belief determines reality.
Congratulations! Have fun at DragonCon!
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 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!
Anyone else having trouble getting beta-readers? I kinda want to send my Q4 to some other places as well, and so my self-imposed deadline is creeping in, but friends who are my usual beta-readers are not responding or have some life-stuff going on. Plus, I'm not having much luck searching online, so I'm getting a bit nervous 😓
2025: Q3: S-F, Q4: RWC
2026: Q1: -, Q2: TBD
I'm in for Q4! 
This is the first time in 15 submissions that I've sub'd this early 🤣 But I had to this time as I'm going on holiday in a few days for 2 weeks, so I didn't want to risk forgetting in the final days when I get back home.
Happy submitting everyone!
Writers of the Future stats:
V32: Q3 - R
V33: Q3 - R
V39: Q4 - RWC
V40: RWC, R, HM, HM
V41: R, HM, RWC, HM
V42: HM, HM, HM, RWC
V43: Q1 - Revising
All markets submission stats:
264 Submissions
254 Rejections
34 Personal Rejections
1 Acceptances
I'm in for QTR 4. I don't expect it to win, but this one I wrote to deal with some trials at home.
Small steps add up to miles.
5 R, 5 RWC, 9 HM, 1 SHM
"Amore For Life" in After the Gold Rush Third Flatiron Anthology
"Freedom’s Song” in Troubadour and Space Princesses LTUE Anthology
Anyone else having trouble getting beta-readers? I kinda want to send my Q4 to some other places as well, and so my self-imposed deadline is creeping in, but friends who are my usual beta-readers are not responding or have some life-stuff going on. Plus, I'm not having much luck searching online, so I'm getting a bit nervous 😓
I can look at the 450 for you (the first two pages). I'll bump that thread so you and others can see it.
Career: 1x Win -- 2x NW-F -- 2x S-F -- 9x S-HM -- 11x HM -- 7x R
Like me: facebook/AuthorTJKnight
Hmm, now I'm a little stuck. I finished my Q4, but then Fantasy Magazine had a surprise open call and I felt the story fit their theme so... I submitted it there. So now we're two weeks from deadline and I have no Q4 story, and I'm pretty busy the next two weeks already. Will this be the first quarter in 3 years I haven't submitted? Not sure yet....but I don't think I have the energy for something new in this time space.
"...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: TBD Q2: TBD Q3: TBD Q4: TBD
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:
2025: 163 submitted 10 acceptances
2024: 53 submitted 8 acceptances
2023: 74 submitted 13 acceptances
2022: 22 submitted 1 acceptance
2025 goals: a. New Novel b. New piece submitted/month c. 100 rejections
Hmm, now I'm a little stuck. I finished my Q4, but then Fantasy Magazine had a surprise open call and I felt the story fit their theme so... I submitted it there. So now we're two weeks from deadline and I have no Q4 story, and I'm pretty busy the next two weeks already. Will this be the first quarter in 3 years I haven't submitted? Not sure yet....but I don't think I have the energy for something new in this time space.
Yeah, you finished a story and submitted.
Boo, you don't have a Q4 WotF submission. What about a previous submission you that you've identified a hole and know how to fill it? Edit, resubmit. Don't miss submitting.
Writers of the Future:
2026 V43: Submitted
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:
2025 SWA: Crime Fiction Contest - 1st Place, The Lighthouse Prompt - 3rd Place
Todd S. Jones
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."~ Henry Ford
This reflects my Q4 story progress perfectly.
Writers of the Future:
2026 V43: Submitted
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:
2025 SWA: Crime Fiction Contest - 1st Place, The Lighthouse Prompt - 3rd Place
Todd S. Jones
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."~ Henry Ford
Hey everyone 😊
I was absolutely stoked to stumble across this contest, and on July 1st of all days. Wishing you and your stories all the best.
V42: Q4-SHM
V43: Q1-In Progress
@a-wellyard That's great, welcome! Hope your Q4 story is progressing well! Good luck! 😃🤞✨
Vol 43: Q1 - P
Vol 42: Q1 - R Q2 - HM Q3 - RWC Q4 - HM
Vol 41: Q1 - HM, Q2 - SHM, Q3 - RWC, Q4 - HM
Vol 40: Q4 - DQ
@gideonpsmith "Will this be the first quarter in 3 years I haven't submitted?"
No! You can do it! 👏👏👏 It's the last chance for Vol 42! 😃
Vol 43: Q1 - P
Vol 42: Q1 - R Q2 - HM Q3 - RWC Q4 - HM
Vol 41: Q1 - HM, Q2 - SHM, Q3 - RWC, Q4 - HM
Vol 40: Q4 - DQ
Update on my Q4: 1st draft is done since a little while. Editing, editing, editing ✍️
Hope it's going well for everyone! Well done to those who already submitted, great job! ✨
Vol 43: Q1 - P
Vol 42: Q1 - R Q2 - HM Q3 - RWC Q4 - HM
Vol 41: Q1 - HM, Q2 - SHM, Q3 - RWC, Q4 - HM
Vol 40: Q4 - DQ
Update on my Q4. Completed my 2nd draft and back to more editing.
Writers of the Future:
2026 V43: Submitted
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:
2025 SWA: Crime Fiction Contest - 1st Place, The Lighthouse Prompt - 3rd Place
Todd S. Jones
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."~ Henry Ford
