Hello, folks.
I have a question about mailing in hard copies. There is an author I know of who mentioned that if you provide the proper postage for receiving the manuscript back after judging, when it returns to you, it will be annotated with the notes/thoughts of whoever read it. Might this still be the practice?
Thanks all!
I don't believe that is the case. When there were more papers, and only one judge, they would occasionally make a note on the first page (Hence starting your story half-way down the page, room for notes on top). Those would return to Joni and crew who would put together the results and send out replies, also occasionally (or perhaps frequently) mailing said first page back. I got one myself very early on.
Nowadays? I don't think so.
I have, however, asked. So I'll reply here again when I hear back.
Career: 1x Win -- 2x NW-F -- 2x S-F -- 9x S-HM -- 11x HM -- 7x R
Like me: facebook/Dustinite
If they say yes, I can just imagine the offices of WOTF being suddenly inundated with hard copy submissions 🤣
"...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: R Q2: HM Q3: P Q4: P
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:
2026: 79 submitted 4 acceptances
2025: 163 submitted 10 acceptances
2024: 53 submitted 8 acceptances
2023: 74 submitted 13 acceptances
2022: 22 submitted 1 acceptance
2026 goals: a. 2025 Novel submitted to agents/publishers b. Draft 0 of a new novel c. Speak at a con on panels d. Write 3 serious shorts NOT for WOTF e. Submit something, somewhere, every month
If they say yes, I can just imagine the offices of WOTF being suddenly inundated with hard copy submissions 🤣
Yes, they would probably see a 2000 percent increase in hard-copy submissions next quarterly! Oh dear...
I'm told the paper subs are scanned each quarter and sent to the first readers digitally. While I didn't ask what happens to the physical paper, the stories are judged via computer and thus any comments would be digital as well.
Career: 1x Win -- 2x NW-F -- 2x S-F -- 9x S-HM -- 11x HM -- 7x R
Like me: facebook/Dustinite
I'm told the paper subs are scanned each quarter and sent to the first readers digitally. While I didn't ask what happens to the physical paper, the stories are judged via computer and thus any comments would be digital as well.
I would imagine scanning hardcopy submissions, possibly after ensuring it is a story, would be the most efficient way due to slush readers not being located at submission receipt location. I would also say that hardcopy isn't preferred and can almost hear the sigh when it received due to the extra work required to process.
Todd S. Jones
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right."~ Henry Ford
Writers of the Future:
2026 V43: HM, HM (HM Resubmit), Submitted, Editing Draft
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:
2026:
- Out of the Frying Pan, into the Friar published in Eric Flint's 1632 & Beyond Issue 19
- Blues 'N Twos HTML version published in On The Premises #46 short story contest
- Southeastern Writers Association: 1st place in Ron Ferrell Memory Museum Award and 3rd place in The Lighthouse Prompt
2025: Southeastern Writers Association: 1st place in Crime Fiction and 3rd place in The Lighthouse Prompt