They've posted the first round of Honorable Mentions. Anybody here on it?
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
Not me.
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
I didn't recognize any names. That doesn't nescessarily mean much though.
Posted by tnwilz (Member # 4080) on :
That could just mean your story is better than honorable mention.
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
Or that they haven't read it yet, right? Doesn't it usually take them several weeks to post all the honorable mentions, etc?
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
For the most part, last quarter's Honorable Mentions were announced every couple of days. Took place over about a week/week-and-a-half. From what I understand, the Honorable Mentions are notified first, then put on the blog. (Speculation from here on I assume that's how the order works. Only the finalists have to wait, they've been culled out--and are probably on their way to the judges as K.D. Wentworth gives her critiques on the semi-finalists.
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
Who all have an entry in? (Besides me.)
[This message has been edited by InarticulateBabbler (edited May 05, 2008).]
Posted by tnwilz (Member # 4080) on :
I wonder if each judge reads all the stories and the winners are a consensus or if they divide the stories up and its more like a slush pile situation where if the person who just happens to get your story is cranky that day another judge who may have really liked it never even sees it. If I were you guys, I'd slip a hundie in the envelope with your story... JK.
If it were I judging, I think I would only fully read the ones that were still tolerable after a pages or two. That way, all the judges would have the time to read all the decent ones. They probably only get a hundred or so decent ones per quarter, maybe 30 a month. Every day you could read 10 first pages of crap and toss em and read one legibly written, possibly even publishable one.
I’d be, “Crap,.. crap,.. crap,.. crap,.. hmm,… nope, can’t spell, more crap,.. crap,.. crap,.. Ah, ha, not bad, must be a Hatracker, lets see what old Orsie sent me this time."
Tracy
I didn't enter, cos hmm, I think I'm afraid of rejection.
PS. I don't know everyone's writing that well, but I would seriously be shocked if Louise (Darklight) didn't at least get an honorable mention, because I know for a fact she knows what she's doing and she's a gifted writer.
[This message has been edited by tnwilz (edited April 29, 2008).]
Posted by ChrisOwens (Member # 1955) on :
The first reader, Kathy Wentworth currently, is the first judge and divides the rejects, the Honorable Mentions(the placement formely known as quarterfinalist), the semifinalists, and the finalists. Then the 8 finalist stories are sent to a shifting panel of three judges and based on how they rank overall among them, the first, second, and third place winners are selected.
Posted by ChrisOwens (Member # 1955) on :
I'd like to go on record and put my monopoly money on InarticulateBabbler this quarter--with the caveat that I did not see his final draft. If he revised just right in that last week before deadline, I think he'll be on finalist row.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
quote:I'd like to go on record and put my monopoly money on InarticulateBabbler this quarter
You are on! I'll place all my 500's, boardwalk and park place against what you got. I haven't had the pleasure of looking at IB's submit but if it's better than Skadders and WriterDans it has to be a jewel. For the record, I expect those two to do better than an HM this quarter, outstanding pieces of fiction.
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
I second Snapper, but I did have the opportunity to review IB's piece and it was exceptional. Best of luck to all. I think the three mentioned above all have a shot in the top three.
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Chris (and Scott, sort-of). I'm hoping I'm up there. I don't know if I read Skadders, but I think I pitched in on WriterDan's. Either way, I hope the Hatrackers all leave their handprints (and footprints) in the sidewalk of the WotF.
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
Didn't get to read skadder and IB's entries so can't comment, sorry. WriterDan's was realy good though, but best of luck to all of you.
I'm not expecting great things from my entry this time, but thanks for the vote of confidance, Tracy. Just felt good to enter the competition.
Posted by tnwilz (Member # 4080) on :
I did read *********** now I think about it. I only saw the rough draft but it was a good idea. Hope it places somewhere for you IB. Louise, could I read your entry? I always love your work.
Tracy
[This message has been edited by tnwilz (edited April 30, 2008).]
Posted by ChrisOwens (Member # 1955) on :
Tracy,
Please remove his title ASAP. I don't know if he has changed it or not(don't tell us, IB!), but due to the anonymous nature of WOTF, revealing the title in a public forum could disqualify him altogether.
Posted by Spaceman (Member # 9240) on :
Just because you don't appear on the honorable mention list doesn't mean you didn't finish there. For Q1 I only received the generic "thank you for playing" letter. Out of the blue they sent me an HM certificate suitable for framing.
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
quote: Just because you don't appear on the honorable mention list doesn't mean you didn't finish there.
Nobody thinks all of the results are in, Spaceman. Last quarter, there were over a 100 Honorable Mentions posted (not including those who weren't reached or posted), and there are only 24 up there now. I'd imagine it will be at least a week just to see all the HMs. At the beginning of this thread, I said the first Honorable Mentions were posted up on the blog. This was actually intended to be a congratulatory thread for Hatrack HMs. The last few posts have been pure speculation and--I think--a bit of well-wishing. We've still yet to see the second blog installment. Though, I am sure Hatrackers and LHers will be there aplenty.
Good Luck to all who haven't had the call (or email, or letter), and congratulations to those who have.
[This message has been edited by InarticulateBabbler (edited May 01, 2008).]
Posted by EP Kaplan (Member # 5688) on :
I just finished a story to enter next quarter. Exactly HOW much control over the contest does the CoS have? Depending on who I ask, it's somewhere between none at all and Xenu is reading each story. I'm more inclined to believe something closer to the former.
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
Shhh. They are listening.
J/K The list of judges is on the site. I don't think it seeps down that far.
But their is no way to be certain, unless you are clear
Posted by ChrisOwens (Member # 1955) on :
I'll stay out of this one this time.
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
Please don't make this a retread of the religion argument. If you want to read about that, here is the Hatrack version.
As I said, this thread is supposed to be a positive thread.
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
When do you suppose the next round of HM's will be announced?
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
The blog informs us that the next installment will be "later in the day" on Monday. That means--if your on the East Coast, like me--Tuesday morning.
Posted by tnwilz (Member # 4080) on :
How does the art get associated with the story?
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
How do you mean? The art is done by the winners of the Illustrators of the Future.
Posted by tnwilz (Member # 4080) on :
The art fits the stories right, so how do the illustrators know which story they will be illustrating for if they haven't won yet? Do they win for another drawing and then get commissioned for a certain winning story later?
Tracy
Posted by RaymondT (Member # 7281) on :
Tracy,
The illustrators send in 3 pieces of art which should be sci-fi or fantasy related. The judges pick the winners for each quarter from these 3 pieces that are submitted.
Once the illustrator winners are chosen and the writer winners are chosen, each illustrator is sent one of the winning stories and has to illustrate that story. The illustrators don't meet the writers and don't know who they are until they all come together at the workshop at which point the writers have to find the artwork for their story from the entire collection and then they are introduced to the illustrator.
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
Second round of HM's is posted on the blog. I didn't recognize any names from this batch either.
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
Congrats to JeanneT and Alethea Kontis (sorry, don't remember your Hatrack handle) for their honorable mentions!
[This message has been edited by annepin (edited May 05, 2008).]
Posted by tnwilz (Member # 4080) on :
Now did they really email you to say they recieved your story? Did they do it quickly or weeks later?
Tracy
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
Congratulations from me too. Isn't it great when Hatrackers do well!
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
Here Here. Crongrats you two!
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
Congrats to JeanneT and Alethea Kontis!!!
Posted by Toby Western (Member # 7841) on :
I got an HM for “Duet”.
It's a start
Congratulations to JeanneT and Alethea Kontis! And good luck to everyone else who entered.
Posted by Wolfe_boy (Member # 5456) on :
Yes, congrats! By the way, is JeanneT still around any more? Haven't seen hide nor hair od her for... a month now? Two?
Jayson Merryfield
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
I forgot you entered that last quarter Toby. Congratulations! I really expected that to go further. At least to the Semi Finals. It was a great story!
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
quote: I got an HM for “Duet”.
Congratulations!!!
And, yes: Good Luck to all those who haven't heard yet!
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
Hey, congrats, Toby! Good luck to those still in the running.
Would it be helpful to have a WotF debriefing? Maybe discussing why stories didn't work, strategies for the future? Not sure if this would be of use to anyone but I thought I'd throw it out there.
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
Clever idea, Anne. It could benefit a great deal. Help turn HM's into published subs somewhere else or improve next quarters chances. A learning expirience nonetheless. I should have sent a SASE, but I somehow forgot to include it with my MS. I am sure the notes on it would be helpful*Hitting myself in the head with my pencil*
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
Congrats to all three! I like the debriefing idea. May I ask when you sent it? A friend sent one a month before the deadline and got a non-winner email a few days after the first HM list. Last quarter, I sent mine on the last day and made the final HM list (they also had a hard time reaching me). BT, the SASE wouldn't give you any insight. My return script had no notes or marks on it at all (I wanted to get a magnifing glass to study it). What do you think people? Any hatrackers making a finalist? How many are still waiting for an answer besides me?
Posted by luapc (Member # 2878) on :
Yeah, congratulations to all of the HM's. I'm still awaiting word on mine, as are a few others, so I hope all of us make it to Finalists!
Bent Tree, don't kick yourself over it, as only the Semifinalists receive a critique. The Finalists don't even get one because those stories are considered already of publishable quality. The HM's usually get nothing, even though on rare occasions Kathy Wentworth will comment on one, putting maybe a line at the top. I know because I got one such on an HM in early 2005 telling me I started the story in the wrong place, but it's the only time out of I think eight or so HMs with anything at all on it.
[This message has been edited by luapc (edited May 05, 2008).]
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
Good. I am not sweating it now. I still haven't heard. Each day my hope becomes more like dread. If Toby got an HM, I think I am in the middle of the slush pile Posted by TheOnceandFutureMe on :
Congrats to all three. (And Toby - shows what I know).
Posted by tnwilz (Member # 4080) on :
Congrats to you all. It just goes to show you really are in good company here. Even a Horrible mention is not easy to achieve. There is some hardcore competition on this one.
Question, did they really email you to say they received your story? Did they do it quickly or weeks later?
Tracy
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
Hey Tracy, I got a email conformation about two weeks after I sent mine in, but it was at the very last minute so I don't no if that is a good indicator or not.
Posted by tnwilz (Member # 4080) on :
I wonder how many submissions they get per quarter and if its increasing these days?
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
speculation says around 3k. i'd wager it is pretty steady.
Posted by tnwilz (Member # 4080) on :
So if they have say 75 Horrible mentions out of 3000, Dang, that's nothing to be ashamed of. You should be so honored. Definately keep subing. They like you. Another probably would have published.
Thats top three percent.
Tracy
[This message has been edited by tnwilz (edited May 05, 2008).]
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
A big congratulations to all the Hatrackers who have and will get an HM(Toby, Jeane, and Kontis).
Are HM's in the running for the top three places or once you are on HM you are out of the running and it is their way of patting you on the back?
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
quote:Are HM's in the running for the top three places or once you are on HM you are out of the running and it is their way of patting you on the back?
Once you are informed, the decisions have all been made. Honorable Mention means you have shown some fine qualities (Characterization, Plot, Narrative Voice, etc.), a Semi-Finalist is good enough to get a critique that should make it publishable, Finalist is publishable and Winner goes without saying.
Posted by tnwilz (Member # 4080) on :
quote:it is their way of patting you on the back?
I think its more than just a patting on the back; I think they are saying, 'keep submitting to us, this is what we’re looking for.’ Another story of this quality may stand out from the crowd and move on. Here we go with the American Idol similarities again, but its true. It’s about either doing something a little different or doing something typical but done so well it still stands out. But in the end it’s about standing out and affecting the judges and making them say, “Wow, that was impressive.”
Incidentally I noticed in her personal blog that Ms Wentworth really emphasizes good grammar and syntax usage. Stating that errors will get a story, (probably even a good story) eliminated very quickly.
Tracy
[This message has been edited by tnwilz (edited May 07, 2008).]
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
quote:Incidentally I noticed in her personal blog that Ms Wentworth really emphasizes good grammar and syntax usage. Stating that errors will get a story, (probably even a good story) eliminated very quickly
Uh oh! looks like I am out
I have to say, My nerves are racked. Is this ever going to be over? *Deep Breath* I need a response from something. I have like seven subs out. Even a rejection letter would soothe me right now.
I am putting all my eggs in the next basket. I feel really good about my WIP.
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
Congratulations Patrick James! Third round of HM's
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
Congratulations, Patrick!
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
Congrats from me too, Patrick. Aren't we doing well!
(Still got my fingers crossed.)
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
Thanks for the congratulations. What for?
Just kidding, it is just something I didn't want to post about here. I didn't really want it getting around HERE, oh well.
Thanks especially to Bent Tree who gave a very fine critique of the work... If he had given a better one I might have won. (Just kidding.)
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
I'll do better next time Patrick. Do you want a semi finalist crit or go for the gold Posted by tnwilz (Member # 4080) on :
Question 1. Do you recieve any payment for copies sold if you end up being published in the book or is the initial cash prize it?
Question 2 In 2004 Eric James Stone was published in the WOTF book with “In Memory” Then again in 2005 with “Betrayer of Trees”. Did he enter twice cos I thought you couldn't do that or did they change the rules?
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
If I am not mistaken, finalist that are published in the anthology are offered a pro rate sale with royalties.
As long as you do not place in the top three you are eligible to compete again. I assume that the author you mentioned was published in the anthology as a semi finalist and then later won.
Posted by luapc (Member # 2878) on :
Bent Tree, there are eight finalists every quarter in the contest, making for a total of 32 Finalists a year. Out of the eight every quarter, three win in that quarter, and all three are published in the anthology, making for at least twelve stories in every WOTF anthology. Depending upon the size of the winning stories, some of the other non winning Finalists may also be published in the anthology. Some years there's as many as three while others there's none. It all depends on how much room there is for them.
The cool thing about being a published finalist, but not being a winner, is that you still get to go to the awards ceremony (for which all costs are paid for), attend the workshop, get paid to be in the anthology, and are still eligible to enter the contest again, like Eric James Stone, unless you've passed the eligibility standards of three professionally published short stories, or one novel, or novelette.
Semifinalists finishers do not get published in the anthologies. All of the published stories in the anthologies are Finalists, they just didn't all win first, second, or third place in the quarter they were in.
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
I'm curious as to how they do the judging. Do they read in batches, then classify each batch by rejection, HM or next round? Do they then notify the HM's and rejections?
I have yet to hear of anyone who has recieved a rejection. Have they begun?
*Scratches head*
[This message has been edited by Bent Tree (edited May 09, 2008).]
Posted by luapc (Member # 2878) on :
All submission go to California. There, Joni Labaqui, the contest administrator, coordinates the separating out of that first identifying page from the manuscript, and other preparations, and puts them in boxes which she sends on to Kathy Wentworth, the coordinating judge.
Kathy reads all the entries (yes, thousands) and decides which ones are rejects, Honorable Mentions, Semifinalists, and Finalists. She then sends all of them back to Joni except the semifinalists, which go back last because she does a written critique on those. If you want to see what one of those critiques looks like, I've included the one she wrote for my semifinalist story on my webpage. Just go to
and select "My Stories". There you'll find my semifinalist story, a rewrite of it, and Kathy's critique.
Joni then notifies HM's and semifinalists on the blog, and by snail mail. Finalists usually get a call, but sometimes find out the same way now that they are being posted on the blog. For the rejects, it will take longer yet to find out because those will be notified by snail mail only.
The selected eight Finalist stories are then copied by Joni and sent onto four other judges who rank them. From that, the three winners are determined. Sometimes Kathy has to break a tie, but usually the other four determine the winners.
Here's another website that is useful to lurk around if nothing else. Kathy hangs out here and lets others know where she's at in the process:
[This message has been edited by luapc (edited May 09, 2008).]
Posted by JeanneT (Member # 5709) on :
One very minor correction on the handling of announcements. Apparently, Joni emails the HMs because permission is required to announce your name as a HM in the blog (for some reason that I don't quite understand). I got her email at 1AM Sunday (Pacific time) and she asked for a quick reply so it could be included in the Monday blog.
Since the general opinion is that a HM is a way of saying your story isn't of publishable quality, I was a little less than thrilled, but c'est la vie. I'll see if maybe someone likes it better than they did. Thanks for the congrats. Hope everyone does well. I'll probably enter again next quarter if I can squeeze a short story in between edits on the novel I'm working on.
And as far as Wolfe_boy's question about whether I'm still around--generally speaking the answer is no.
[This message has been edited by JeanneT (edited May 09, 2008).]
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
When my finalist story was published in volume nine, there were no royalties, just a flat payment, even for the winners. I don't know if there are royalties now, but I doubt it.
Posted by tnwilz (Member # 4080) on :
What kind of flat payment are we talking about? I assume the flat payment and the prize money for placing are separate.
Tracy
[This message has been edited by tnwilz (edited May 10, 2008).]
Posted by kathyton (Member # 7780) on :
I received a letter for a 4th quarter 2006 entry that congratulated me on being a quarter-finalist. Does anyone know what that indicates? I just took it as a "good" rejection letter (especially for a first attempt.) Is it an older term for honorable mention?
thanks,
K---
Posted by Sara Genge (Member # 3468) on :
Honorable Mentions used to be called quarter-finalists. They changed the term because it confused people.
I'm still waiting on my entry. It looks like this is the last quarter I'll be eligible to enter, so I'm kind of anxious to see how it goes. Not hoping for much, anyway. Kathy said there were a ton of very good entries this quarter.
Posted by TheOnceandFutureMe on :
quote:It looks like this is the last quarter I'll be eligible to enter, so I'm kind of anxious to see how it goes. Not hoping for much, anyway.
You're still eligible? I thought I saw a story by you in Apex. Or was that someone else with a similar name?
Posted by Sara Genge (Member # 3468) on :
That story was mine, thanks for noticing.
You're elligible until you have three pro sales, more or less. The guidelines on the webpage of WoTF were rather vague, so I included all my sales on the cover letter. Since they accepted the sub, I'm assuming I was fine. But my Asimov's story is due soonish and once it's published I'll no longer be eligible by any definition.
[This message has been edited by Sara Genge (edited May 10, 2008).]
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
quote:What kind of flat payment are we talking about? I assume the flat payment and the prize money for placing are separate.
When I was published, they paid a flat $500.00 per story for publication to the finalists, and I think the same (if not more) to the winners. And for the winners, that was separate from the prize money.
I'm not sure if they do it that way now--it's been a few years.
Posted by tnwilz (Member # 4080) on :
I think I’m becoming telepathic because when all the other entrants read Sara’s post, I’m pretty sure I heard a collective, “Aww, you’ve gotta be s******* me, at this point that girl could fart on a sheet of paper and they’d publish it. Son of a – well there goes fame and fortune pushed off another year. Man… couldn’t Bush just invade Spain as a sort of going away thing. You know how the presidents always do this last minute stuff they always wanted to but were too chicken before. You know the Spaniard’s musta did something to annoy the Bush boys.”
I kid I kid. I actually think this has been a stunning success from Hatrack.
Tracy
Posted by smncameron (Member # 7392) on :
quote: When my finalist story was published in volume nine, there were no royalties, just a flat payment, even for the winners. I don't know if there are royalties now, but I doubt it.
I may be confusing WotF with a different contest, but I believe that royalties are only paid out if the anthology sells more then a certain number of copies.
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
quote:I may be confusing WotF with a different contest, but I believe that royalties are only paid out if the anthology sells more then a certain number of copies.
That's only when there are royalties.
The way it usually works is that the author (whether in a book or as part of an anthology) is paid a certain amount as an "advance" against the royalties. Once the number of books sold is enough for the royalties to equal the advance, then the author can start receiving royalties beyond the initial advance.
Often, especially with first books, there are no additional royalties paid because the book doesn't "earn out" (sell enough copies to equal the advance).
Unless WotF has changed the way they do things, there are no royalties with that anthology, ever. Just a flat payment up front. It's a big enough flat payment that it's okay, though. We bought a new refrigerator with my payment. (Which I felt was pretty unglamourous, but, oh well.)
Posted by RaymondT (Member # 7281) on :
There are 2 payments each winner gets.
One is the prize payment for winning the contest. It's $1,000 for 1st place, $750 for 2nd place and $500 for 3rd place.
The other payment is the royalty for the story itself which is right around $500.
Of course then there is the Grand Prize award which is $5,000 and only the 1st place winners are eligible for that one.
Posted by RaymondT (Member # 7281) on :
Sorry, just saw the answer from Kathleen.
She says there is no royalty which is correct if you think of a royalty as a percentage based on number of books sold. There is no such thing. The $500 I called a royalty is a flat fee. Hope this clarifies it.
Posted by EricJamesStone (Member # 1681) on :
For my published finalist story I was paid 10 cents a word for the rights to publish the story. I believe the policy is to pay 10 cents per word up to a $500 limit, but I'm not sure on that.
For my 2nd place story I received $750 in prize money, plus $500 payment for the rights to publish the story.
I don't get any more money no matter how much the anthologies sell, but that's fine because the initial compensation was very good.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
Any additional news yet? I know of one person that got a non-winner message. I haven't heard a thing yet which is more good than bad at the moment. Congrats to all the HM so far, especially you Patrick James.
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
No news yet. Joni said she'd be posting the results (sans the 3 winners) by the end of this next week. I think she enjoys the palpable tension. I know I do... <--Can't you tell?
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
Just got my notice saying my story didn't win.
I wasn't expecting much from my first entry, but an HM would have been nice.
It is just a relief to have the tension dispelled.
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
Scott, don't feel bad. We're in the same boat. I just got my "You didn't win" letter, too. We'll just have to try harder this quarter.
[edited to add:] Keeping my fingers crossed for the Hatrackers that are left.
[This message has been edited by InarticulateBabbler (edited May 16, 2008).]
Posted by ChrisOwens (Member # 1955) on :
Not even an HM, IB?
Maybe there's some sort of mixup. Well, I guess it's the last time I go "on record"...
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
Competition for this, as I gather from the quality of those stories that do win, is quite fierce. So give yourself a pat on the back for making it this far and keep on keepin' on!
Posted by ChrisOwens (Member # 1955) on :
I'm bummed--and I didn't even enter Q2. I'm starting to have the feeling my Q3 story won't stand a chance...
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
I still have heard nothing, but I'm suspecting it's only a matter of time before I get my none winning letter.
Fingers crossed for everyone still not heard.
Posted by tnwilz (Member # 4080) on :
The quality of the grammar is imperative to get past KD Wentworth. It’s worth having it checked by an expert for this comp if its not one of your strengths. She openly admits she will toss a story quickly if the grammar is off. And it could have been a great story but they must figure it’s not fair to progress a story that lacks the effort when there are so many that are flawless in terms of grammar.
Louise, you’re sitting on a short story that you wrote years ago… you know the one. It brought tears to my eyes because the real you bleeds into it so profusely. Any insightful person who read it would know. Its one of those brilliant, story within a stories, just like Saturn in G Minor (which won for the year). Its undercurrent is so powerful. (For you eavesdroppers: I’ve never met Louise and she lives on the other side of the world, but I can tell you that she’s the kind of woman that would knock you off your barstool if you cross the line. But when it comes to those that need her, there is no mountain too tall and no river too fast…) If I have these judges figured out, it would do well. It has all the elements, speculative, sci-fi and brilliantly portrayed, human emotion. I would love to see you let people here help you polish it and fling it in for next quarter.
As usual, I talk too much… but you knew that.
Tracy
Posted by Gardener (Member # 7948) on :
I wasn't part of Hatrack when I entered, but this is my second entry and second HM. I had the feeling that anyone who didn't make finalist got an HM, but I guess that isn't true.
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
Sorry to hear that Rich. I expected that to get an HM at the very least.
My Q3 needs some TLC, but I think there is a good story in there somewhere. Hopefully I'll find it this quarter.
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
Congratulations, darklight!
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
Thank you, IB. It's nice to get up to some good news. I'm rather happy! Good luck to any Hatrackers still in the running.
Tracy, funny you would say that, because I was considering dusting off that story for the quarter after this one.
Posted by tnwilz (Member # 4080) on :
HA, Louise Caroline Booth of the United Kindom... What did I tell you... and I never read a word of your entry. Didn't need to. See, now you can believe in you as much as I do.
That's awsome, I am so happy for you. You've got to be bouncing off the walls. That's Validation right there.
Tracy
Umm... may I make a second prediction concerning Sara.......
[This message has been edited by tnwilz (edited May 17, 2008).]
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
Congrats darklight!
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
Congrats darklight!
I haven't heard anything yet. That could be goodnews or they can't get a hold of me for some reason (I had that problem last time). If I do well it is because of my super-secret-can't-miss-plan. I have a friend thatt works in the post office in Maine. I got him to switch cover letters with IB.
Posted by skadder (Member # 6757) on :
"you did not win" Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
*Pats skadder on the back.*
We'll get them next time, brother.
We're going to obliterate the Semi-finalist, finalist, and winner categories next quarter. Who's with me?!
Posted by skadder (Member # 6757) on :
Thanks. *sniff* and I was sure it would win (well perhaps not win!).
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
Anyone other than me waiting for some sort of answer? WriterDan? haven't heard fromyou yet.
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
I have a feeling that might be good news, Snapper. I'd wager that you are still in the running. I am pulling for you!
quote:We're going to obliterate the Semi-finalist, finalist, and winner categories next quarter. Who's with me?!
It will take bloody fingertips...countless hours of deep thought...nights with little sleep, but count me in! I have a story somewhere in there!
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
Thanks guys!
Yes, I was wondering about snapper and WriterDan too; got my fingers crossed for you two.
Not hearing anything doesn't mean a thing. I didn't get a phone call or email. First I knew about it was someone congratulating me on my HM. IB, I'm with you. I will accept nothing less than semi-finalist next time!
Edited to correct early morning typos.
[This message has been edited by darklight (edited May 18, 2008).]
Posted by Christopher (Member # 6336) on :
Just got my rejection letter today.
My story didn't have a lot of speculative stuff at the beginning.
I decided to risk it. Probably not a great idea.
I'm thinking that, due to that, it might not have even been read beyond the first page or two.
Oh, well. I still like the story.
Already workin' hard on next quarter.
Posted by debhoag (Member # 5493) on :
Sorry, folks. I have absolutely nothing to say about this topic - I just had to tip the number of posts from 99 to 100.
Posted by smncameron (Member # 7392) on :
Out of curiosity, which hatrackers are still in the running?
Posted by tnwilz (Member # 4080) on :
I think it's just Snapper and Sara now. The whole project was a huge success though, with many HM's. Pretty impressive! Just goes to show you how good this group is (gives KDW unrequited hug and peck on the cheek)
Tracy
[This message has been edited by tnwilz (edited May 20, 2008).]
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
Well, shucks. I didn't do anything.
You all are doing all the work.
Posted by tnwilz (Member # 4080) on :
The last of the HM's are up and the semi and finalists should be up anytime. Holding my breath for Sara and Snapper.
Tracy
The only finalist we know of so far is Ben Hardin of Utah. Not sure if he's a member of Hatrack. His previous pubs include a short story in The Leading Edge, a science-fiction/fantasy anthology. 2004. Currently at BYU.
Note: BENJAMIN HARDIN had an HM in the first quarter.
[This message has been edited by tnwilz (edited May 21, 2008).]
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
quote:Holding my breath for Sara and Snapper.
Me too! *fingers crossed*
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
quote:Sara Garcia of Madrid Spain
Is this our Sara?
Posted by tnwilz (Member # 4080) on :
Congrats, Sara.
Boy, I should take up betting... I'm good.
Posted by Zero (Member # 3619) on :
Did she win?
Posted by tnwilz (Member # 4080) on :
Semi-Finalist. A little bitter sweet to be honest. That girl can write. But it all comes down to KD Wentworth in the end.
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
Congrats, Sara. Way to go!
Well, I think all in all, we did pretty well here at Hatrack. Even better next time, I hope. Good luck all for Q3.
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
Our Sara is Sara Genge...unless she's using a pseudonym or they misspelled it.
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
One of the first stories I posted 1st 13 of here, "Redlight" made semi-finalist
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
And congrats to Sara whether she's "our" Sara or not.
Posted by skadder (Member # 6757) on :
Congratulations Arriki! That is brilliant.
Posted by ChrisOwens (Member # 1955) on :
Yep, congrats to arriki and Sara! Welcome to the club. I congrated Brenta today, who has a nonwinning finalist with me in Q4, and she said it's almost better to be a semifinalist than a nonwinning finalist--you get pro feedback.
The Top 18 is no small feat by any means, especially this quarter.
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
Wow, that's great news! Congrats!
Posted by Sara Genge (Member # 3468) on :
Yep, I think I'm the Sara in the semis list. There can't be another writing SF from Madrid, Spain.
I've emailed the admins to correct the mistake, though. So unless there is another Sara SF writer over here who doesn't go to the only English language crit group that I know of in Madrid, the correct name should be up on the blog shortly.
I'm thrilled to have made the semis and look forward to KD's critique: I've heard they're really good.
Thanks everyone for the congrats and support. Hanging out with you here is a blast.
And congrats to all the other HM's and semi-finalists. Are there any finalists around here? If so, mega congrats to them too.
[This message has been edited by Sara Genge (edited May 21, 2008).]
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
How do they send the critiques? I never received a phone call or email, just say my name and state on the list.
Posted by Toby Western (Member # 7841) on :
Congratulations, Sara and Arriki!
Posted by Tiergan (Member # 7852) on :
Yes, Congrats.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
I just got my answer yesterday. It seems I have the distinct honor of receiving the last 'you didn't win' messages this quarter. News went great with th rest of my week. Laptops fried, ladies and gents. You'l be hearing from me a litte less for awhile.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
Went well with hitting a deer as well
[This message has been edited by snapper (edited May 21, 2008).]
Posted by JeanneT (Member # 5709) on :
Ack, Snapper. That is bad. I'm really sorry you're having such a bad week.
Congrats to everyone who had better news.
[This message has been edited by JeanneT (edited May 21, 2008).]
Posted by ChrisOwens (Member # 1955) on :
arriki,
You'll get a page-long critique from Kathy--if I remember from a year ago correctly, it'll come in the SASE you sent them. It'll probably be a few more weeks. Kathy has to reread all the semis.
Posted by Christopher (Member # 6336) on :
SEE BELOW
[This message has been edited by Christopher (edited May 21, 2008).]
Posted by Christopher (Member # 6336) on :
You guys/gals who made semi-finalist, you should let us know what Kathy said about your stories, the good, the weak parts etc...
NOTE: I was a semi-finalist last year. You show me yours, I'll show you mine <---blush...referring to the critique, of course.
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
Sorry to hear that Snapper. There was some tough competition this quarter. Hope your week gets better also. I am having a rough one as well.
Congrats everyone. I thought that must have been Sara. I didn't imagine there being to many great SF writers named Sara in Madrid. Since this is the last quarter that you are eligible, I am glad you went out on top. Keep up the good work.
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
Congratulations, Sara and Arriki!
More than a little jealous.
Posted by JamieFord (Member # 3112) on :
Congrats Sara and Arriki!
Posted by Sara Genge (Member # 3468) on :
The blog has been corrected. It's indeed me. This is the furthest I've ever gotten in WoTF and I'm thrilled.
Thanks for the congrats guys.
The good news is that I can still enter WoTF: it's the fourth pro sale that disqualifies you. Note to self: next time, read guidelines more carefully.
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
Awesome, Sara, though boo for us who therefore have to compete with you for at least one more quarter.
Congrats to you arriki, and all the other Hatrackers who made the HM rolls again.
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
Thanks, KayTi.
It was one of my lysiscan stories that made the semi-finals. I think I'll try something else next quarter.
Posted by cklabyrinth (Member # 2454) on :
Wow, congrats to all of you.
Did Hatrack have a critique group going for this, and if so, are they doing one for the next quarter?
Edit: Just saw the posts in the writer's group section. I'll be on the lookout for the next thread come July 1st.
[This message has been edited by cklabyrinth (edited May 23, 2008).]
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
Yes, on both counts.
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
Incidently, I don't think any of the HM or semi-finalists from Hatrack were in that group(WOTF q2). I wasn't. Just putting that out there, not saying that you shouldn't join the group or anything...
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
I was in that group, Patrick James. It was very valuable to me, and I'm sure helped me to get the HM. I'd recommend the WoTF group to anyone. The people that participate are great!
And congrats to arriki on your semi-finalist story.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
I got home the other day and read my rejection letter. They referred me to a site on formatting. Now I had my daughter print my script out (I was away) and she didn't incert my headers (title and page numbers). Would it have gotten rejected because of that? I hate to think so but the rules do state that they are needed.
Posted by JeanneT (Member # 5709) on :
Snapper, I use the template you can download from Shimmer. That way I start out with the right formatting. I don't have a link to it handy but it's linked to their submission guideline page.
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
I went to Shimmer (www.shimmerzine.com), and the templates were a bit tricky to find.
You have to go to the submission guidelines page, and then scroll down to the "Formatting" paragraphs. The word "templates" right above "How to Submit" is a download link for the templates, even though (so far as I could tell on my browser) it wasn't underlined or a different color. If you click on it, the templates can be downloaded to your computer at a .zip file.
Posted by JeanneT (Member # 5709) on :
I'd forgotten that it's a little hard to find, but I recall it taking me a minute to figure it out the first time I went there. But it's nice to have a template for formatting set up exactly how it should be. The only changes I made in it were to insert my personal information and change the font from Courier New to Dark Courier--a personal preference that still fits within guidelines. I got the recommendation for that font from Robert Sawyer's excellent website.
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
What is there about the templating that's hard? Am I missing something crucial? I'm about to send off a story to the Heinlein contest. They wanted in .txt, .rtf, .pdf, or .doc format.
WOTF accepted in Word or WordPerfect, if I remember right.
If I just do a save in, say, .txt from WordPerfect my text will go through legibly enough, or won't it? Heading with partial title, page numbers all there????
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
Put me in a concrete room -- soudproofed -- with a thousand ceramic dishes to break one at a time while I scream!
Oh, oh, OH!!!!!
I can't believe it! The only reason "Redlight" did not make it to the finals is that at the bottom of page three a line was dropped. The last three words of a sentence somehow didn't get printed even though they are in the file on my computer!!!
That's it! That's all that was wrong!!
Argh!!!!!!!
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
Really? Oh my, let me into that room and I'll help you break those dishes.
Wow, I never would have thought to do a page-line check on a final draft. Usually I print the final one and then kind of close my eyes (after proofing the cover page and checking that all pages printed in black ink) and stuff it in an envelope and try not to look at it again lest my personal editor break from her padded cell and start trying to make changes yet again.
I'll think twice about doing that in the future. I am sorry!
Posted by ChrisOwens (Member # 1955) on :
arriki,
Congrats. I hear it was a tough quarter and that means your story was good enough to be finalist, which in another quarter might have won.
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
Arriki, that bites! If you did it once, though, I bet you can do it again!
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
I assume that's how the order works. Only the finalists have to wait, they've been culled out--and are probably on their way to the judges as K.D. Wentworth gives her critiques on the semi-finalists.
<--Can't you tell?
Just got my notice saying my story didn't win.