[This message has been edited by skadder (edited November 01, 2008).]
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
Oh,oh.
Not good. I had my in two days after the end of the 3rd quarter. Haven't heard a word. I better tell my wife to hide the razor blades.
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
Pray thee, not to resort to measures so dramatic.
Vote For InarticulateBabbler!
Posted by steffenwolf (Member # 8250) on :
I'll be holding my breath. After I sent it I realized there were flaws that prevented it from being a real contender, but I'm hoping for an HM. This is my first entry ever.
Posted by Brad R Torgersen (Member # 8211) on :
I've gotten two HM for two entries.
Curious to find out if my third entry also gets an HM.
Posted by Cheyne (Member # 7710) on :
Just Curious, How many HM's do they award? Dozens, Hundreds, or Thousands? This question is not meant to diminish anyone's Honor, I just don't know.
Posted by tchernabyelo (Member # 2651) on :
Last I heard, HMs were about 15% of submissions. Whether that's a stat they deliberately keep to, or whether it fluctuates according to the quality in a given quarter, I don't know.
Posted by steffenwolf (Member # 8250) on :
I don't believe Galaxy Press shoots for any particular number of HMs, I think it just comes out to 15% on it's own. They have a pre-set number of semi-finalists, finalists, and winners, but I think they can have an arbitrary number of HMs.
Posted by Zero (Member # 3619) on :
Is it just me, or are they not posted yet?
Posted by ChrisOwens (Member # 1955) on :
I hope I'm not shooting myself in the foot by saying this, but I've learned not to take everything on the blog literally. When a date of something is promised AND fulfilled, I'm pleasantly surprised. I'm guessing there's a bit of work behind the scenes since their work goes beyond just this contest, and it might be easy to lose track. And there might be all sorts of things that can put a delay in the process.
Posted by Zero (Member # 3619) on :
That's understandable.
Posted by AWSullivan (Member # 8059) on :
Yeah, Joni is a busy lady.
I've noticed the same trend. When I see a specific day mentioned in a post I pretty much assume it will be about a week after that.
~Anthony
Posted by Zero (Member # 3619) on :
Too bad they don't have the same leniency with the deadlines. Haha, just kidding.
Posted by Corky (Member # 2714) on :
What I'm not clear on is if an honorable mention means that's as far as you go.
Are the HMs the group they select the semi-finalists/finalists from, or are they the group that didn't make it into the semi-finals/finals?
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
If you get a HM, Corky, that's it for the quarter.
And the first HMs are up, and there's a name or two I recognise from Hatrack. Congrats all!
Posted by skadder (Member # 6757) on :
Well done, Snapper. Woo-hoo!
Posted by Zero (Member # 3619) on :
It seems one advantage to submitting as late as possible is delaying getting your manuscript back flat rejected or being terminated as an honorable mention, or rather, delaying hearing about it. Allowing one to continue the illusion that his entry might win or place, and not just show.
Posted by skadder (Member # 6757) on :
I like that positive attitude and would like a subscription, please!
Posted by Zero (Member # 3619) on :
Which is why I sent mine in practically the last minute possible. Posted by skadder (Member # 6757) on :
Me too. Last time I was early and had my rejection in my hand before the first HM's were posted!
Posted by Zero (Member # 3619) on :
Never doing that again, lol.
Posted by luapc (Member # 2878) on :
I'd like to say that entering at the last minute was a choice, but in truth, no matter when I finish a story, it doesn't seem to make it in the mail until the final week before deadline.
On those lines, I've had my hopes dashed by the same wait, thinking a story did well, only to find out it was a reject. That kind of rejection seems to hit even harder.
In a way I kind of liked it the way they used to do it and not announce HM's at all. The reason is that before they started doing this, I had always thought that all HM's had a shot at the Semi and Finals pile, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Instead, it seems there are those HM's that are considered for that Finals batch and held back, and some that aren't. Because of that, I think I'd really rather have an entry in early, that way I'd know that if it was listed in the last batch of announced HM's it was at least considered to be a winner.
As a final note, just because a story doesn't make it into that last batch for consideration doesn't mean it's a bad story, or one not worth winning. It was just that Kathy didn't think it was. That's an important thing to remember about rejections and HM's, even with this contest. It's still just one person's opinion.
I've heard of at least one rejected story from WOTF selling to Asimov's, so don't ever take an HM or rejection too hard. Just keep writing and submitting, that's the only way to win and get published.
Good luck to anyone still waiting to hear.
Posted by Zero (Member # 3619) on :
And, as always, keep your day job.
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
quote:Well done, Snapper. Woo-hoo!
Snapper won an HM? Congratulations!
[This message has been edited by Patrick James (edited November 04, 2008).]
Posted by skadder (Member # 6757) on :
Yup, he's Frank D.
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
Don't forget our KayTi, I think she got one too.
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
Yep - I'm in there (Karen T. Smith) but...er, I still don't know for which story! (there was a snafu I believe with my last quarter's entry - so I have a feeling this is last q's entry because I'm a late late late submitter, usually my MS is mailed on the last day of eligibility. I haven't been able to get any replies from the authorservices emails I have tried. Not sure how to solve this issue, as I don't want to be disqualified for being entered twice in the same quarter.)
I'm relieved/excited, of course dejected at not winning the big kahuna, but that I can cope with. I'm starting to also take the HM from WOTF very seriously as an indicator that I'm in the game now. My work is of sufficient quality to earn an HM - that's big for me. So not getting an HM is a big negative. Anyway, there's a little writer neuroses for you for the day. Thanks for the congrats!
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
Hey Skadder!
You just revealed my secret Idenity! Oh well, time to throw in my cape, my crime fighting days are over. An HM? Really? Why am I always the last to know?
[This message has been edited by snapper (edited November 05, 2008).]
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
Sweet, guys, that's so awesome! I eagerly await more happy news for fellow hatrackers.
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
I solved my personal mystery today by calling them and finding that it was my most recent entry that received the HM, which is great (though again, disappointing because it didn't win the big kahuna, but it's my suburban mom story - it's not a perfect match for the contest. I'm excited to start subbing it out elsewhere.)
The bad news is my 3rd quarter was indeed a no-place, which is too bad because I was hoping the snafu had my 3rd quarter entry as HM for this most recent quarter, then they could just bump my recent entry to the current quarter. Alas, no such luck - now I have to write a new story for the current quarter!
Best of luck to everyone else who has a story in! And congrats snapper!
[This message has been edited by KayTi (edited November 06, 2008).]
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
Thanks KayTi,
I share your mixed emotions. An HM is nice, very nice. Hell it was better than the 'you didn't win' I got for my last submission, but still it is a rejection. Perhaps this old message from a friend that first convinced me to start submitting to WOTF will but it in perpective.
quote:There is no such thing as reduced competition for WOTF. Send away. It's free, and it will tell you something. (On the other hand, don't send something that is clearly not their cup of tea. (Sex, bad languagee, too dark etc)
For instance, "Spirit of Spring" didn't make the top 10%. After analysing the contest and the work, I finally decided that it is too risque for them. I learned something.
The very best non-pros send their very best work there every quarter. You are competing to get into the top 10%. After that, you are competing to get a named prize. After that, for the top prize.
When you have honed your skills enough that you hit the top 10% almost every quarter, then you are in the pro range. After that, it's a crap shoot. So start shooting craps every time.
You don't gain anything by *not* submitting.
That was back almost a year ago. This will make it two for three on the HM's for me. A little soon to categorize myself in that 'pro range' that he ellude too but it is good sign. I have noticed a few names here at hatrack that clear do fall in that range.
A nice thing about WOTF is you have an idea on how your writing stands. Too many magazine leave so little feedback for an author to know. Good luck on resubmitting it elsewhere. I'll think I'll do the same.
Posted by Zero (Member # 3619) on :
KayTi, out of curiosity, when did you mail the mom story off? For some reason, in my mind, I thought I sent mine out shortly faster reviewing your story (which I enjoyed), which makes me wonder if mine if back in the mail heading my way. ... shudder...
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
Edit - to delete my previous speculation post, as I have new information. What I had hoped/thought happened did indeed happen. Through a snafu at the WOTF office, my 3Q story (june 30 deadline) was not judged in that quarter, so instead the HM I just got was for that story, called Market Day if anyone cares (nobody critted it here, though it originated in a Liberty Hall Flash challenge, which is one of many reasons why I'm stunned and amazed at the HM.) It was added to the 4Q pile and was probably near the beginning since it had been in their hands for a few months. This means my other story (title omitted) is still in play for the quarter that ends Dec 31.
So sit tight. Your story is in the pile somewhere and will eventually get judged.
[This message has been edited by KayTi (edited November 06, 2008).]
Posted by Zero (Member # 3619) on :
Oh ok, thanks for that clarification.
Posted by steffenwolf (Member # 8250) on :
Alas, my very first WotF entry has ended in rejection. Not even an HM, I'm afraid.
Posted by Zero (Member # 3619) on :
When did you send it in?
Posted by steffenwolf (Member # 8250) on :
I sent it quite early, way back on August 4th, got the response November 7th.
Posted by Zero (Member # 3619) on :
So if I hear back before the end of the year I'm lucky. lol
Posted by ChrisOwens (Member # 1955) on :
Bump.
Looks like the finalists are being called. Anybody from here?
###
Alas, though I'd written a few first drafts, I decided to sit Q4 out.
Posted by Zero (Member # 3619) on :
Surely you would have won this time, Chris. But thanks for not entering so I have a chance
My question is, how do you know the finalists are receiving calls?
Posted by ChrisOwens (Member # 1955) on :
Well, my Q3 entry was a complete reject. My first. A new low as it were.
The finalists started being notified yesterday. According to the WOTF, we should see a listing in the next few days.
Posted by Brad R Torgersen (Member # 8211) on :
I'm now 3 for 3 on submissions / Honorable Mention.
Gotta work extra, extra hard on the next story and see if I can't climb out of the HM pack.
Best of luck to everyone.
Posted by skadder (Member # 6757) on :
My previous, and only, WOTF entry was a complete reject, so I expect nothing more than that now.
There is a new list of HM's on the site. My name, alas, isn't amongst them.
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
Alethea Kontis (silver? Siver fox? don't remember her Hatrack handle), tnwiltz, and arriki are the Hatrackers I recognize on the list. Congrats, guys!
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
Silver3 is Aliette, not Alethea. Alethea Kontis is her Hatrack handle, if I remember correctly.
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
Congratz everybody who won an HM. My fingers are crossed for everyone who didn't. (I didn't submit for this quarter. darn!.)
Posted by Spaceman (Member # 9240) on :
Alethea went by Thieftess before she changed it to her real name. I miscounted last quarter when I said I had 8 honorable mentions/quarter finalists. That is, however, now an accurate figure. My 8th.
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
Congrats, I thought I saw your name in there, Spaceman. Congrats to everyone else, too. Great Hatrack showing! (and more names/announcements to come, exciting!)
Posted by Omakase (Member # 2915) on :
Oh boy -- just got a call from Joni
I made it as a WOTF Finalist (I hadn't heard anything at all so I'd given up)
Haven't posted much here lately but I just had to spread the news, since I'm just a *little* excited!
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
Let me be the first one to congratulate you. CONGRATULATIONS!!! Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
WooHoo! Way to go, Omakase!
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
Congrats, Omakase! This is going to be one stellar group of finalists, I can just tell.
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
Congratulations!
Posted by annepin (Member # 5952) on :
Wow, awesome! Congratulations!
Posted by ChrisOwens (Member # 1955) on :
Congrats! Now the real anxiety may begin. Prepare for the rollcoaster...
Posted by Zero (Member # 3619) on :
Congrats as well. I'd love to read your story if you ever feel like senidng it over for a crit.
Posted by Omakase (Member # 2915) on :
Thanks everyone!!
Yes... the countdown begins... tick tock.
For anyone who is interested in reading the story -- it's sci-fi -- just drop me an email and I'll send you over a copy. It's about 7800 words.
[This message has been edited by Omakase (edited December 10, 2008).]
Posted by Zero (Member # 3619) on :
Any word on when you hear more?
Posted by Omakase (Member # 2915) on :
Yes, she said it would be about another month or so...
Guess I'll count the spot as an early Christmas present!
Posted by skadder (Member # 6757) on :
Could you send me the story, though?!
[This message has been edited by skadder (edited December 10, 2008).]
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
Last year I mailed my story in two weeks before the deadline and I received a note that instead of putting in with the stories for that quarter they were putting it in the NEXT quarter's group. Thus I was shut out of first quarter and could not enter second quarter since my story was bumped up to there.
I'm having bad luck all around. Now, this first quarter, again, there's a problem. My computer's down. I have lost my story. People have graciously emailed early versions but this XXXXXX computer won't let me download with out sending a copy to Microsoft for some reason. So now I may be sending the story in barely in time and how can I trust them NOT to bump it up to second quarter again, denying me participation in a whole quarter?
Posted by Zero (Member # 3619) on :
That's really unfortunate. I feel for you. Out of curiosity, since I submitted mine late this time, when did you get your notice that it would be held off for the next quarter?
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
It was a couple of weeks, I think, it an email. I was working on a story for the second quarter at the time, which then wasn't eligible. And I got off track.
Yeah, I'm whining. I've been so panicked by this stupid hard drive dying on me right before I was to print off and submit. It's like Something in the Universe is against me and this contest. First the printer on its own drops a whole line in the middle of the mss last time, now this!
Backup, backup, backup everything! All the time! Check, check, check that every line is there!
I'm going to the library to download to get around this dratted computer. I'm going to send off...SOMETHING...Monday. Sigh.
[This message has been edited by arriki (edited December 11, 2008).]
Thanks for the congrats!