Hey, all,
Just a quick note about Q1 judging.
1) We're on it.
2) We'll need a little more time than usual while the new coordinating judge and I put our heads together and generally get on the same page for what her preferences are, where the line is between R and HM, etc.
I do not expect major changes from how things were before, and I don't think you should change how you write any of your stories just yet. I'm reasonably certain we'll be done before the deadline for Q2, but it might be a little close. 
I will keep you posted as I'm able.
Cheers,
Kary
WOTF: 1 HM, 1 Semi, 2 Finalists, 1 Winner
Q2,V31 - Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!
Hugo and Astounding finalist, made the preliminary Stoker ballot (juried)
Published by Galaxy's Edge, DSF, StarShipSofa and TorNightfire
Thanks for the update, Kary. The transparency really helps!
V34: R,HM,R
V35: HM,R,R,HM
V36: R,HM,HM,SHM
V37: HM,SF,SHM,SHM
V38: (P)F, SHM, F, F
V39: SHM, SHM, HM, SHM
Published Finalist Volume 38
Pro’d out Q4V39
www.rebeccaetreasure.com
Managing Editor, Apex Magazine
Thanks for the update, Kary!
Volume 41 Q1 Illustrator Winner!
4x Finalist Illustrators
5x Semi finalist Illustrators
1x HM Illustrators
7x HM Writers
3x SHM Writers
https://clforsauthor.com
Author of the Primogenitor series: Cradle of Mars, Adaptation, Reunion, Schism: Available on Amazon under CL Fors
Thanks, Kary. One question: will the SF’s from Q4 still be getting critiques?
"There are three rules to writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are."
— W. Somerset Maugham
Drop me a line at https://morganbroadhead.com
SFx1
HMx6
R/RWCx6
I'm aware that at least some of the semi-finalists haven't gotten a critique yet. I will ask about it and get back to you.
WOTF: 1 HM, 1 Semi, 2 Finalists, 1 Winner
Q2,V31 - Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!
Hugo and Astounding finalist, made the preliminary Stoker ballot (juried)
Published by Galaxy's Edge, DSF, StarShipSofa and TorNightfire
Grateful for the update, thank you!
Q3 V38 - F, Q 4 V38 - SHM
Q1 V39 - HM, Q2 V39 - HM, Q3 V39 SHM, Q4 V39 SHM
Thank you for keeping us informed about the contest Kary. It keeps the twitching to a minimum.
Today's science fiction is tomorrow's reality-D.R.Sweeney
HM x5
Published Poetry
2012 Stars in Our Hearts
Silver Ships
Nice to know @Karyenglish... We all appreciate you as first reader and know that the contest is in good hands. Here's hoping my Q1 beginning and ending are strong enough to make it to the next level. I studied your podcast and can promise you that I've done my best to do as instructed. No weird fonts, no maps, no tickets or other nonsense items from me. ;).
WOTF results:
Vol 42: Q1 SHM, Q2 SHM, Q3 RWC, Q4 P
running totals to date:
WOTF: 6 Rs, 4 RWCs, 8 HMs, 2 SHMs
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
Thanks for the update, Kary.
Writers of the Future:
2026 V43: In process of editing draft
2025 V42: RWC, HM (HM Resubmit), HM, Submitted, fingers crossed, phone charged, and waiting ...
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 (R Resubmit)
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
@karyenglish, the transparency is really appreciated. I'm sure all here agree that any delay is absolutely understood.
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
Kids these days… If you’re waiting and twitching, this is how it’s done:
You've got 167 pages of twitching to go!
http://nineandsixtyways.com/
Tools, Not Rules.
Martin L. Shoemaker
3rd Place Q1 V31
"Today I Am Paul", WSFA Small Press Award 2015, Nebula nomination 2015
Today I Am Carey from Baen
The Last Dance (#1 science fiction eBook on Amazon, October 2019) and The Last Campaign from 47North
@martin-l-shoemaker
Real twitching is when the score is tied, you are in the final overtime period allowed, and there are three chicken wings left in a party of four.
3 HMs
6 SHMs
Umpteen Rs
Still hoping and working toward better -
One of these days, Alice . . . POW! We're going to the moon!
Remember kids: if the number of HMs and Silvers goes down compared to past quarters, the new judge is unreasonably harsh. If it goes up, she is dilluting the quality of this prestigious contest. It can't stay the same either of course, that would be samey, uninspired, just the drivel of a copycat.
Always remember that the crowd that applauds your coronation is the same crowd that will applaud your beheading. People like a show.
Terry Pratchett
Haha, @sinsyne, I actually asked her about the amount of HMs in her Meet-and-greet. She said that she's agreed with The Powers That Be that the proportion of HMs and SHMs will remain approximately the same as prior years. @johngoodwin then clarified that HMs will be circa 10%, and SHMs the usual fraction of that.
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
