[Sticky] Martin's OPINION on the Unwritten Rules

@pegeen Please don't cut the romantic elements! Human emotion is the heart of good stories. I haven't analyzed to see how common romance is in the anthology, but it's definitely encouraged. It shouldn't be the overriding element, but it can be an element. My winning story was driven, in part, by my protagonist's inability to manage his relationship and his responsibilities at the same time.

Suicidal ideation and dark thoughts are more difficult. Despair is part of the human experience, and so appropriate for the Contest. But despair can't win. If despair is present, the protagonist should overcome it, or at least escape it. While it's not a Contest story, I like to think my story "Today I Know" (coming the 25th in Robots Through the Ages) could have been a Contest story. It's about a woman struggling with these thoughts.

@martin-l-shoemaker Thanks for the advice. I will keep light romantic elements.

I continually remind myself to stay on the light side for this contest, since the stories end up in SCHOOL libraries. Often I'm drawn to deep, dark, complexities -- especially moral complexities. Unless handled just right, they are not suitable for WotF. I also like anti-heroes, like "The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, Unbeliever," which is awful in many ways, but a darn good read.

I need to continually remind myself that some of my dark fantasy stories simply are not suitable here, even though (I think) they are my best ones.

Posted by: @pegeen

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I need to continually remind myself that some of my dark fantasy stories simply are not suitable here, even though (I think) they are my best ones.

In my opinion, Volume 35 is exceptionally dark. And exceptionally good. If you're around that level of dark, keep it up!

For an idea of how dark you can get in the Contest, and can bad guys win, check out "Between Screens" by Zach Chapman in WotF Volume 31 (The Bestest Volume Ever). Dark, with a dark ending. It can be done, if you do it well.

Added a note on the (almost) obvious: entries must be in English.

John Goodwin and I recorded a podcast about this today. He has about ten episodes ahead of it, so that will be a while. (I think he releases one episode per week.) He'll also convert this into a blog post at that time.

@martin-l-shoemaker Awesome, congrats! I'll be looking forward to that episode. I love the WOTF podcast.

Added a note on paper submissions.

Posted by: @martin-l-shoemaker

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There’s no lower limit, but it’s difficult to win with something under 2,000 words. Extremely difficult under 1,000.

Ah, thanks! I was lookin for this.

Posted by: @angelslayah

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Posted by: @martin-l-shoemaker

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There’s no lower limit, but it’s difficult to win with something under 2,000 words. Extremely difficult under 1,000.

Ah, thanks! I was lookin for this.

You might pull it off. Audible commissioned three 750-word stories from me last year. I think all three of them would work in this Contest. They have all the basic story elements. I'm proud of them as stories. But they're "thin", and they would be competing against stories with more room to develop the setting and the characters. One has a single character narrating his woes. One has three characters describing a history, and one has two characters describing a history and observing other characters. So if you have the skills for brevity and you believe in your flash fiction, take the chance.

Thank you for this information and taking the time to post. This was so helpful to me!

You've put together a comprehensive list of principles for contest submissions, drawing from a variety of sources. It's clear that you've thought deeply about the intricacies of speculative fiction. The advice on structure, content, and format is invaluable. Your insights offer aspiring writers a roadmap for success. Kudos

I apologize if it's been mentioned and I simply overlooked it, but I wanted to confirm that electronic submissions made through the website do not need a title page. Is that correct? Or they do, but the only thing to appear on them is the title itself? Thank you and I apologize again if this had already been discussed. 

Posted by: @jmenna

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I apologize if it's been mentioned and I simply overlooked it, but I wanted to confirm that electronic submissions made through the website do not need a title page. Is that correct? Or they do, but the only thing to appear on them is the title itself? Thank you and I apologize again if this had already been discussed. 

Hello @jmenna and welcome to the Forum! 

When you submit electronically there is no additional title page. When you create an account on the online submission system, WizeHive, you create a profile that serves as the title page for all submissions.

When the judging is done the profile information is hidden from the judges so that they only see the file you upload, thus it is fully anonymous. That being said it is also important that you don't put your name in the file name or anywhere in the file that you upload. 

Good luck and hope this clarifies your question fully. 

@jason It does. Thank you so much.

Martin, can you share your thoughts on the subject of religion in stories? Specifically, how would criticism of the tenants of a religion resembling, but not identical to, a currently existing religion be regarded by the judges?

I'm working on a story set on an alien world where the dominant religion is threatened by the discoveries of one of its truest believers. How closely can the foundations of this imaginary religion be to real-world religions? 

Posted by: @martin-l-shoemaker

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No horror. Yes, horror is sometimes considered speculative fiction, but not for this Contest. Yes, there’s a fine line between horror and dark fantasy. Try to stay firmly on the dark fantasy side. You might get away with dancing on that line; but be prepared for a rejection if Jody or the slush readers think you crossed it.

What about Sci-fi horror? I'm sure it isn't the safest field, but it is definitely speculative. You know, keeping in mind the PG-13 audience, shouldn't Sci-Fi horror work?

Posted by: @babooher

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What about Sci-fi horror? I'm sure it isn't the safest field, but it is definitely speculative. You know, keeping in mind the PG-13 audience, shouldn't Sci-Fi horror work?

If in the opinion of Jody or the slush readers it crosses the line into horror, it's not for this Contest. That's difficult to define, impossible to quantify, but that's the way it goes. I would avoid excessive gore and hopelessness if you want to try.

Posted by: @martin-l-shoemaker

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Posted by: @babooher

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What about Sci-fi horror? I'm sure it isn't the safest field, but it is definitely speculative. You know, keeping in mind the PG-13 audience, shouldn't Sci-Fi horror work?

If in the opinion of Jody or the slush readers it crosses the line into horror, it's not for this Contest. That's difficult to define, impossible to quantify, but that's the way it goes. I would avoid excessive gore and hopelessness if you want to try.

 

That said, The Withering Sky won second place in their quarter of Vol 39 and was firmly in the camp of 'sci-fi horror.'

Posted by: @emlouviere

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Martin, can you share your thoughts on the subject of religion in stories? Specifically, how would criticism of the tenants of a religion resembling, but not identical to, a currently existing religion be regarded by the judges?

I'm working on a story set on an alien world where the dominant religion is threatened by the discoveries of one of its truest believers. How closely can the foundations of this imaginary religion be to real-world religions? 

I know I'm not Martin... To me this sounds like a really cool story that I'd love to read. I think if you don't use actual names of religion you'll be ok. Example, Dune's catholic bible [catholic with lower cap which is different from Catholic which is an establish religion. the word catholic means for all ["COMPREHENSIVE, UNIVERSAL especially : broad in sympathies, tastes, or interests" a catholic taste in music"

Anyway, that's my take on this very interesting question.

Posted by: @emlouviere

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Martin, can you share your thoughts on the subject of religion in stories? Specifically, how would criticism of the tenants of a religion resembling, but not identical to, a currently existing religion be regarded by the judges?

I'm working on a story set on an alien world where the dominant religion is threatened by the discoveries of one of its truest believers. How closely can the foundations of this imaginary religion be to real-world religions? 

Terry Pratchett's Small Gods is a funny look at religion with lots of comparisons to real-world religions. One of his best stories with lots of great quotes. 

WotF may enjoy a story about alien religion as long as it's not too preachy or if its done in a way that's funny.  

Posted by: @emlouviere

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Martin, can you share your thoughts on the subject of religion in stories? Specifically, how would criticism of the tenants of a religion resembling, but not identical to, a currently existing religion be regarded by the judges?

I'm working on a story set on an alien world where the dominant religion is threatened by the discoveries of one of its truest believers. How closely can the foundations of this imaginary religion be to real-world religions? 

Sorry, I've been going in a hundred directions.

This is a difficult one for an opinion. It's very much a case by case basis. Science fiction can certainly explore these ideas. MY OPINION: There's a line between criticism and attack. Criticism is thoughtful, and respectful of differences. Attack leaves no room for doubt.

My recommendation for the Contest (I might have different advice for other markets): Find ways to differentiate the fictional faith from existing faiths, and find ways to make the analysis even-handed.

Posted by: @martin-l-shoemaker

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This is a difficult one for an opinion. It's very much a case by case basis. Science fiction can certainly explore these ideas. MY OPINION: There's a line between criticism and attack. Criticism is thoughtful, and respectful of differences. Attack leaves no room for doubt.

My recommendation for the Contest (I might have different advice for other markets): Find ways to differentiate the fictional faith from existing faiths, and find ways to make the analysis even-handed.

Also keep in mind the guidelines against devotional content, political content, or polemics. Stay wide of those.

Our discussion is now a blog post!

Hi, Martin. I've read through and didn't see this discussed, so hopefully not a dup. What is the consensus about dystopian? I know it falls into speculative and can be considered sci-fi, but it's not a sub-genre I see a lot of notes about with regard to statistics on acceptance, whether they prefer it or not, etc. Thoughts?

--Tracy

@writergirl0426 I don't think they strictly prefer any genre within "sci-fi and fantasy" although it feels like medium-hard to hard sci-fi stories do especially well.

There have been dystopian winners in recent years, though. "Sixers" from V37 comes to mind. Well, many come to mind, but that's the only one that I can recall the title of right now.

@ease Thanks! I have v37 - I'll have to be sure and read Sixers. I think where my mind was going is whether dystopian is sci-fi "enough" (being that it's a look into an alternate or possible future), or if it needs more spec elements to fall firmly enough into the sci-fi realm. I suppose that's a very subject question and answer.

Appreciate your thoughts!

@writergirl0426 if you make it clear (in the first 450 words, ideally) that we're either in the future or an alternate timeline, I reckon you'll be okay. To be extra safe, display something scientific that doesn't exist today. And I also advise having your speculative element affect the plot (this applies to all genres entering this competition).

Happy to take a glance at your first 450 if you still aren't sure.

@writergirl0426 There have been winners that take place in a secondary world with zero magic or other speculative elements. Just different names and culture. "Release from Service" in volume 35 comes to mind.

Posted by: @writergirl0426

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Hi, Martin. I've read through and didn't see this discussed, so hopefully not a dup. What is the consensus about dystopian? I know it falls into speculative and can be considered sci-fi, but it's not a sub-genre I see a lot of notes about with regard to statistics on acceptance, whether they prefer it or not, etc. Thoughts?

--Tracy

As far as I know, Dystopian is fine, as long as it fits other criteria.