Is any one here going to be entering? If so we could start a group. The deadline is June 1st. We can organize once we see if anyone is interested.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
What's this about? Is there a premise? A website with more info?
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
We've discussed it before on Hatrack. My big question is: "Reflecting the spirit, ideas, and philosophies contained in the works of Robert A. Heinlein"--what does that mean?
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Sounds pretty open to me. I figure if it's sci-fi they'll probably take it. Wikipedia looks like they have some general info on what the story might need to include. Sounds like fun. I might jump in on this. Have a sci-fi that could use a little work, but that just might fit in with this contest. And hey, no entry fee. Can't balk at that.
Posted by ChrisOwens (Member # 1955) on :
That's true. Seems all I churn out is fantasy. I guess a pro could control their creative process instead of allowing it to control them.
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
My guess is that they are looking for Sci-Fi that is reminicent of the whimsical, wonder inducing, style that Heinlein had-- Not hard science.
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
Well, I doubt if they're looking for writings that are exactly like Heinlein's stuff...besides, Heinlein's stuff varied considerably over the years and most of it doesn't much look like anything eles in his oevere. (If that's how that's spelled.)
Sounds like an interesting contest, though...good luck, you guys.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
Heinlein's works pre-dated my interest in Sci-Fi. I read Job: A comedy of justice when it debuted but little else. I am familiar with Starship Troppers and much of his other work is well known. Is Job a good indication of his style? Is there another author that you could compare him to? Harry Harrison, for example? I got a couple of things in mind, but I would like to comply with the spirit of this competetion.
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
Job is a good example of his style, but not the best by far. It is hard to compare his earlier works with anything else. He and Asimov brought me into the Sci-fi world with titles: Have Spacesuit will travel Starbeast The red hills of Mars Farnhams Freehold and Asimov's I, Robot Caves of Steel
If I were to compare him to anyone it would be early Asimov, although Asimov and Clarke were more "Hard" in the Science Dept.
I would recomend sampling some more of his works- even if you don't enter the competition. It is classic.
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
Job is representitive of Heinlein's "late" period---say, from Friday to To Sail Beyond the Sunset---that is, to the bitter end. Heinlein, apparently, liked to "mix it up"---experiment with and publish different kinds of storytelling. (I only enjoyed the second half of Job and To Sail---nothing much of any of the others.)
But I wouldn't start with them. I'd start either with his 1950s work---either his so-called "juveniles," or his adult novels. There are a dozen or so of the former---you should be able to find Red Planet or Time for the Stars or Space Cadet, recently back in print, or maybe a few others. For the adults, try Double Star or The Puppet Masters. (Beware when reading the latter---a great deal of it has been borrowed or ripped off in later SF and horror, books and movies.)
If you do get hooked---it's likely---you'll want to move on to his other stuff, from his 1940s shorter work through his Sat. Eve. Post-era shorts to his later and longer work like Stranger in a Strange Land. Save everything after Stranger for the end.
Comparing Heinlein to anyone...well, it's hard to say, 'cause he's influenced so many people in the SF field. I wouldn't compare him to Asimov and Clarke. Perhaps Spider Robinson might be a good bet (he recently completed a Heinlein juvenile from an outline left behind---I must really read it one of these days), though Robinson was influenced maybe as much by Sturgeon as by Heinlein...
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
So how many are definately in?
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
If I am welcome, I'd love to participate. So that would be one yes.
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
Of course you are. I have never organized something like this. What is the typical protocal?
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
We can use the WOTF model. First list who is in.
Bent Tree Snapper
If anyone else wants in paste these names onto your post and add your name. We need to set some deadline dates. One is for early, first draft crits and a second for line crits. Whoever wants in agreeds to crit everyone else's submissions. How about these dates for deadlines to send your stories out to be reviewed. April 7th first drafts May 7th line crits
Should give us enough time to write, crit, fix, and send something by the June 1st deadline. What do you think?
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
Can we add an early date for outline/summary/plot critique, or is it not Kosher? I would hate to develop a seriously flawed idea. I am a newbie.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
That sounds fine to me, although that is generally what we do for the first crit. We could move that up if you like or you can just send me what you got whenever its ready. I already have something that is in the first draft stage. I need to make some changes and do a better editing job on it, so I should be ready before april anyway. I'm open to whatever you want to do.
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
I'll just shoot you an email with the two Ideas I have. Mabey you can help me chose.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
Send them away. I'll help anyway that I can.
Posted by Khalan (Member # 5950) on :
I think I might try to give this a go. I've been kicking around a story idea for a while that might work.
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
Hello. I know, I'm monstrously late (Only joined Hatrack today), but I would still like to be in on this group. Wouldn't be surprised ya'll said no.
I know a lot about Heinleine and have, since this morning, created a complete storyline and written 700 words toward that story.
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
Hey Guys. So Far it is only Snapper and I. The deadline is June 1st, so there is plent of time. We have been busy with WOTF. I don't even have my first draft done. You have been added to the list. Stick to the dates. They are important.
Bent Tree Snapper Kahlan Patrick James
If anyone else wants in paste these names onto your post and add your name. We need to set some deadline dates. One is for early, first draft crits and a second for line crits. Whoever wants in agrees to crit everyone else's submissions. How about these dates for deadlines to send your stories out to be reviewed. April 7th first drafts May 7th line crits Postmarked Manuscripts before June 1st
If anyone finnishes there drafts early, and wants an earlier crit in addition to the first draft crit on April 7, feel free to send them to me. Welcome guys...Happy writing.
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
If anyone wants to send their ms., to me go right ahead, though I warn you; I have never critiqued before.
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
Yeah. I'm thinking about finishing the clean-up on my honorable mention and sending it in to this one.
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
quote:If anyone wants to send their ms., to me go right ahead, though I warn you; I have never critiqued before.
You will find it also helps your writing. It makes you more critical of your own work. Try a few in F&F before April.
quote:Yeah. I'm thinking about finishing the clean-up on my honorable mention and sending it in to this one.
Just paste in when you decide. I look forward to your crit if you decide to join, especially first draft.
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
Bent Tree Snapper Kahlan Patrick James KayTi
I am definitely in. I have a story from last year that's already written that is a great fit, so I am planning to enter it, but it needs more eyes on it.
I am a huge heinlein fan, though I did not read many of his YA stuff, in fact somehow missed it.
My all time favorite and the one I recommend to most people is The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. I have used it as inspiration for my YA NANO novel project last year, that needs my attention now that I think of it. Great story.
I would say the things about Heinlein that set him apart are general optimistic plots, liberal sexual practices (some would find these disquieting, I think they get more out there in his later works), importance/role of family, adventurous main characters, strong females but somehow still in somewhat stereotypical female roles (remember he wrote much of his stuff in the 50s and 60s I believe.) He did a lot of near-earth or earth-set sci-fi (moon, stranger in a strange land). He did some alternate universe stuff (farnham's freehold).
OK, there's more, but that's a start of my personal brain dump about heinlein. There are often cats in his books. Redheads too. Cloning. Meaning of death. Delaying of aging. Long-life. Family. Lots of family (as I scan my bookshelf I keep lighting on the fact that family seems a theme in every single book...)
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
Glad to have you KayTi. Farnhams Freehold is one of my favorites as is The Moon is a Harsh Mistress
I enjoy his love of cats. The way he characterizes them is second to none. Although I am allergic, so I haven't had the opportunity to befriend many. I too have an affinity for redheads, so I can appreciate his taste and descripions of them.
I grew up on his YA; to me it was an awe inspiring introduction to sci-fi. Without it, I would not have been sucked into the genre.
Since your piece is done, feel free to send it over if you want an early look.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
So, I'm thinking that I'd like to at least try to get in on this contest. My next WotF story is coming along well enough that I think I'll have time to adapt an older story of mine to this contest nicely. So, count me in. Here's a new list of participants:
Bent Tree Snapper Kahlan Patrick James KayTi WriterDan
And thanks for all of the Heinlein info KayTi. Have only ever read Stranger/StrangeLand of his before.
Jump in IAB!
Probably won't have my first draft done before the first deadline though. Still have polishing to do on my WotF entry for this quarter. So, see you all then.
[This message has been edited by WriterDan (edited March 14, 2008).]
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
Does anybody know what usually wins these competitions?
Short and sweet 5,000 words or less.
Long and involved Max. 15,000.
Anyone have any examples?
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
Word count doesn't matter at all, other than how well the story is told. It would be an issue if it were 10k and could have been written more concisely at 7k.
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
I just finished a rough draft. How is everyone doing on theirs?
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
Whole story outline complete. I have stalled out at 3,000. I'll pick it up agian and get another 2,000 words in today, though.
Posted by Khalan (Member # 5950) on :
I have plotted it, but haven't written anything down yet. Last week was insane at the office, and the weekend was consumed by the NCAA tournament. With the transactions publicly announced and my alma matter out of the tournament, I guess I now have some time to get moving.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
I am nearly finished with my draft. How is everyone else doing?
Editing to say my draft is done and I'm willing to send it out to whoever is ready.
[This message has been edited by snapper (edited March 30, 2008).]
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
Send er along Snapper, You already got a peek at mine.
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
One week til first drafts are due. Better get writing people.
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
I'm cheating and using my last WotF entry. All I have to do is trim the hell out it, and add a little more.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Sounds VERY familiar there, IAB. Pretty much exactly what I'm doing. Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
My first, rough, draft is done. If anyone wants to send me theirs, they may.
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
Send it over. I will also send you mine.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
I've sent my first draft to two people, are the rest of you ready?
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
I will be, probably on Tuesday. I'm a trade show and contest now. (My works has already won two more awards--bringing the total to 149--and the major contest day hasn't even arrived yet. It's tomorrow.)
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
I am set to recieve. Send them if you got them. You gotta enter to win.
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
I've returned from my show (won 6 more awards--bringing the total to 154), and can begin exchanging stories now.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
Hey Khalan and KayTi,
Are you still in this? Kay, I need your address if you are. I haven't received anything form WriterDan, KayTi, or Khalan. IB are in this? Are you planning on submitting and critiquing?
Fill me.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Sorry all. For some reason thought that today was the day of our deadline instead of yesterday. Anyhow, I'll send the first draft of my story out later on. The beginning still needs some work, but a deadline is a deadline. Looking for everyone else's stories. Bring em on!
[This message has been edited by WriterDan (edited April 08, 2008).]
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Hey, IAB. What are all those awards you're winning? Need some more input so I can feel the appropriate amount of jealousy. Sounds like you did quite well regardless of what they were for. Congrats.
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
quote: *1*Are you still in this? Kay, I need your address if you are.
*2*IB are in this? Are you planning on submitting and critiquing?
1) KayTi is phonetics for K.T., not Kay.
2) Yes. I'm in. I have already critiqued and returned Bent Tree's and WriterDan's. I'll send mine out to you, shortly.
quote: Hey, IAB. What are all those awards you're winning?
If you'd really like to know, read my blog (or follow the link to my new blog). And thanks.
[This message has been edited by InarticulateBabbler (edited April 09, 2008).]
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Cool blog. Sounds like your a regular artist. Have you ever thrown anything into the Illustrators of the Future contest? There have been a couple double winners in the past (writer and illustrator). Do you have a posting of some of your work? Couldn't find one from the links on your blog for one. What I saw looked pretty cool. I've always wished that I could draw. But, alas.
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
[This message has been edited by InarticulateBabbler (edited April 10, 2008).]
Posted by oliverhouse (Member # 3432) on :
Saw visitors coming from this link, thought I'd stop in and see who was linking. Thanks, IB.
Just so you know, the little images you see on the story are clickable -- hit them and you get a larger-sized version of the art, which always shows remarkable detail. My favorites are the ones from "The Desert Cold", "The Dyslexicon", and Hatrack's own DJVDakota's "I Speak the Master's Will".
Regards, Oliver aka Jake
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
I'm in, but I don't post my email address. Anyone who has exchanged crits with me before, please feel free to send me a copy of your latest. I have to look at my story again and see if I need to update it...I am using an old story that I like but haven't had a chance to send out yet. I will send a copy to those I can find email addresses for. When I send mine, please take it as an invitation to return the favor.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Got stories from snapper, IAB, BentTree, and Patrick. In Phx for the weekend. Should be able to get those crits back by Wed. Still looking for stories from KayTi and Kahlan.
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
OK folks, I sent out my draft to all of you just a minute ago (rich, my second message has the file actually attached, duoh!) Please holler if you didn't receive anything (but, you know, check your junk mail filters first or it'll just lead to a long annoying thing where I send you something and you say you didn't get it then I send you something again and you say you didn't get it and...)
I eagerly await your return stories.
Posted by Khalan (Member # 5950) on :
I have a couple of stories in my inbox, I promise to turn them back over the weekend.
As for my own, I'm behind the schedule I had hoped to keep, but such is the life of the corporate lawyer. I may miss out on getting an entry in, but I'm hopeful I may yet finish the draft before the contest deadline, even if I miss our internal ones.
Posted by tnwilz (Member # 4080) on :
Reflecting the spirit, ideas, and philosophies contained in the works of Robert A. Heinlein.
Could someone define that a bit better for me.
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
He was a Libertarian, governmental powers should be limited to military and police and NOTHING else, people have the supreme right to fail and no one should be "stolen" from to help prop that person back up, he believed in an "open marriage", polygamy was alright by him, any rules a group of consenting adults agreed to live by should be none of the governments business or anybody eles for that matter, he was a nudist, he carried a loaded model 1911 wherever he went, homosexuality was merely a preference(he didnt believe in religious compunctions against it or anything else, though he wasn't one.), he wasn't religious and beleived that the only "sinful" things were anti-survival, everything else was just fabricated nonsense. hmmm...
That's pretty much it. He was kinda weird huh?
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
He also ran for Congress on the Upton Sinclair EPIC ticket---for those of you who've never heard of it, in its heyday in the thirties it was very liberal.
Asimov, an ultra-liberal, took Heinlein for an ultra-liberal when he hung out with him in the early forties (war work in Philadelphia), and later on was somewhat shocked when Heinlein "grew conservative."
I don't know and can't vouch for how much Heinlein changed and evolved---or how much he stayed consistent and watched the world evolve around him. Likely it'll happen to all of us, too---it's happened to me over the years. Just be wary of pinning Heinlein down to one set-of-beliefs or another...or one political "side" or another...
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
I suggest you look at this site to get an idea of what
quote:Reflecting the spirit, ideas, and philosophies contained in the works of Robert A. Heinlein
I believe that Mr. Heinlein stories were more about the fictional societies in a Sci-Fi setting rather than the Science fiction that other authors focused on. At least that is what I gathered by what fans and this site has written.
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
OK, how's everyone else coming on crits? I have received ... um, four excellent ones - thanks everyone! It's fascinating to me how different people find different things. There's something for me to learn from each comment, thanks to all who have been able to send.
I think I have one more copy out, and would be grateful for feedback on that version. I haven't done my edits yet...still pondering (OK, OK, it's just been a really crazy busy week.)
On the return crits, I'm not doing so well. I have given one back, in dialogue with another writer, and am delinquent on I think two more. If you haven't heard from me and have made massive revisions since you sent me a copy (looks like I'm more than a week delinquent, eep!) - let me know and I'll hold and crit your latest version instead. If you'd still like my feedback, I swear it'll be along soon.
How's everyone else doing? Feeling good about your stories? running into problems?
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
Thank you to everyone for looking at mine and giving me your thoughts. I really appreciated. Those damn present vs past tense issues were driving me crazy. With all your help, I think I got them all weeded out.
I got some contridictory advice on what to do, so I placed it up for review in my other critique group. They'll be reading it after our next round deadline but before the actual deadline. I want to see which way a new set of opinions will go. So, mine won't be available for the next round. I am not avoiding my obligation to the rest of you, however. Send yours to me and I'll give you a crit.
Good luck to everyone!
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Okay, so I think I'm going to be a few days late on the 2nd crits deadline. First cut of my story (after 1st round crits) took 14 of 24 pages out. Ack! Will get it out as soon as I can. Sorry all. Will take any stories that are ready for second round crits though.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Great link, Dan. Thanks for sharing it.
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
I am a writer, I work my rear off.
I have had many intense hours over my keyboard...Of course, it isn't the writing that keeps me thin. Thank you day job.
Edited to add dubiousness that day job should be thanked for this.
[This message has been edited by Patrick James (edited May 07, 2008).]
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
well shoot, I lost track of the return crits I owed for this and now it's been long enough that I think I need to find out who needs a crit, and whether you have a latest version I should look at. I think I noticed one file in a folder where it did *not* belong today that was an uncritted story (benttree maybe?) I'm guilty of poor electronic housekeeping (there's a story starter for you, LOL) in that I try to tag the user name with the story, but then I lose track of which user name goes with which email address and get confused and procrastinate the annoying (to me) work of looking up email addy/handle kinds of things and...
Um, sorry, enough excuses. Who needs a critique? If you already have my email address, just send it, but please include "Hatrack" somewhere in the subject line or risk your message ending up below the scroll line in my inbox and subject to the taunts from the thousands of other messages down there. "Hey you - new guy. Yeah, I'm talking to you. What do you think you're doing with that foofy looking paper clip on your message? Think you're something special, eh? Hey! Guys! Check out the new guy - thinks he's all that with his paper clip and obscure subject line. Let's show him who's boss!"
I'm making it my personal goal to take the feedback everyone gave on my Clone story and get a second revision (last except for final polish, I hope) out within the next few days.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Everybody wish me a happy birthday. Then you can cuss my name on general principles for not getting my second draft out for critiquing on time.
Ah, and KayTi, I generally will save a story from someone else with this format: "OriginalFilename_AuthorName.doc" Has saved me A LOT of headaches and scrambling. Thought I'd share.
Happy writing all.
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
Happy Birthday Writer Dan. Appreciate your suggestion w/the filename schema - which is something I practice, but then the email address/Hatrack handles are often DIFFERENT still and I just get confused. Bah. Do I owe you a critique? I'm up for wahtever from whomever - just send it along.
Posted by hyperpat (Member # 7975) on :
Dan,
Thanks for posting the link to my short analysis of Heinlein's writing style. Given the number of people who have read and/or linked to it, I must have got something right in it, so much so that I'm seriously considering doing the research (hah, this just means I get to read all my Heinlein's again!) necessary to expand this to a proper article.
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
Go for it, hyperpat. I wouldn't be surprised if you could sell such an article to ANALOG.
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
Seconded Hyperpat, and welcome to the forum. I found your article, an interesing and well thought interpretation of Heinlein's style. I gave it a 9.0 I've bookmarked your site and look forward to reading more.
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
I've got my story for this polished. I know it's late but I was wondering if anybody would be interested in a trade -- I look at yours, you look at mine?
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
Hey Arriki, you can send yours over. I haven't yet made my revisions on my first draft. I spent what should have been a fun birthday/Mother's day weekend in the hospital. I suppose my pancreas could be considered "Old Faithful" when it comes to flaring up at inconvinient times.
I should be able to turn yours in a day or so. If you wouldn't mine looking over my revision later, I will send it when it gets done. I am still working on the back nine of my WOTF which is also behind schedule.
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
I'll trade, too, if your interested.
Posted by WriterDan (Member # 6456) on :
Ditto the last two. Send it over whenever, arriki.
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
Thanks, guys.
I didn't send it yesterday because I'm superstitious about 13s.
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
Bent Tree, I used your email address listed here and my email to you bounced back. Do you have another address?
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
It should be correct scottdbenttree[AT]hotmail.com
I't try to send you one to respond to.
Posted by tnwilz (Member # 4080) on :
I would just like to go on record as saying that if anyone without a resume as long as your stinking arm wins this one I'll eat my keyboard. It’s open to every major writer in the world who wishes to heighten their public profile to help in sales of their latest book. Also they can use the five grand to buy new tires for their Porsche.
This particular contest strikes me as 90% business and 10% pay it forward. They don’t even commit to publishing anything. If they do, you can be sure it will be anchored with big names. (which would be cool if a nobody actually wins it)
Carry on
Tracy
Edit; last year they had an amateur class winner but I don’t see that in the rules this year. Perhaps there still is an amateur class but they don’t mention it in the rules and seem to have taken it out. Correct me if I am wrong but, as far as I can tell, last years winner was never published.
I wonder if they make keyboards out of rice paper.
[This message has been edited by tnwilz (edited May 20, 2008).]
Posted by Corky (Member # 2714) on :
Well, if they only wanted big names, they wouldn't have opened it up to everyone.
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
I'm sure an accomplished writer needs the Heinlein Centennial Contest to advertise his or her book. Well, what if they didn't win? What would happen to the book sales then?
So, other than the amateur winner, who else won?
I think you best be trying out assorted keyboard condiments. There wasn't a Hatrack group for this contest last time.
Posted by tnwilz (Member # 4080) on :
The winning stories and authors for July 07
Winner, Amateur Division: "Hammers and Snails" - Christopher J. Howard Honorable Mention, Amateur Division: "A Condition of Intelligence" - Robert Jenkins Special Recognition, Amateur Division: "World Ceres" - Sandy Sandfort Winner, Professional Division: "The Beautiful Accident" - Edward Carmien Honorable Mention, Professional Division: "Refuse" - Marjorie Dieter Keyishian Special Recognition, Professional Division: "B All U Cn B" - Fran Van Cleave
They apologized but the book never happened "just too many details to deal with."
There were two categories in 07 — Amateur and Professional —each of which carried a $175 prize for the winner and a $75 prize for the honorable mention.
So they completely changed the competition for this year.
Big name authors write for anthologies all the time. Even OSC does it. It's a very good promotional vehicle. If they didn't win nobody would ever even know they entered.
[This message has been edited by tnwilz (edited May 20, 2008).]
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
Well, my story, "Ghosts of the Void," is now speeding through the ether toward whatever receives the manuscripts. Am I the last? Or am I the first? Probably comfortably in the middle.
I didn't realize this was a yearly event. Centennial is 100 years. Is it just this year's that is celebrating his 100th birthday?
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
I was just coming here to look up the submission requirements, formatting, that sort of thing (I could have googled the contest or looked in my favorites, but this was faster because I knew the thread was here with a link, LOL)
I'm still not 100% satisfied with the ending of my story, and feel like tweaking three random sentences I've had highlighted in the MS for a few weeks. I caught a wicked cold this week that kept me from working on this more, plus my nieces were visiting for the week. Anyway, I am still happy w/the story, though - just wish I could get inspiration for the ending (or the time to just write a couple versions and then pick and fine-tune the best.)
Ah, well, mine will be submitted here shortly...
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
I had my story off about a week ago. Now to rewrite my WotF entry, sub out my newest flash, clean-up a fantasy flash for subbing and then...it's delving into my Historic Fiction WIP.
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
Done. Off. Into the ether. Hate that. Did you guys get your confirmation emails right away? (website says that confirmation email will be sent.)
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
The next day for me...
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
I sent mine yesterday and got confirmations a few hours later.
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
Good luck, all who entered.
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
I second that, Robert. Good luck everyone.
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
I'll need more than luck Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
Thanks (at least from me) to the well-wishers. No rejection yet. Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
Still pretty early. A rejection slip this soon would probably mean the submission was VERY bad. Nobody from this group could write a story that bad.
Not just kissing a*#, it's true.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
The last big non-WotF competition I got in only notified the winners. I didn't see what there notification policy is like. Any one know?
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
When are we going to hear something on this???
[This message has been edited by snapper (edited June 29, 2008).]
I don't expect to ever hear anything back, honestly. It seems appropriate they should tell me when they send my MS to the recycle bin though. That way I can send it, yet again, to a similar fate elsewhere
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
The sight was vague also;
quote:Entries are now closed. The judges are beginning their work and entrants will be notified of the results in due course.
[This message has been edited by Bent Tree (edited June 30, 2008).]
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
Has anyone heard anything back from this? Any intel about the status, timing, anything?
I'm wanting to resub the story I submitted if it doesn't win. It's been nagging at me asking for publication (the story, isn't that odd? It's a quirky story...)
Any ideas for how/where to search to figure out what's up? I thought I had originally read that they would be making announcements in July, or did I imagine that/make that up?
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
I have recieved no feedback on the matter since they told me my ms arrived.
Posted by Gardener (Member # 7948) on :
What's the general consensus on this?
I heard that last year they were supposed to publish the winners and somehow it just didn't happen. Now it's been about 5 months and no word anywhere.
Are people writing it off and sending their entries out again? I chose a story that I thought was pretty good. I hate to see it frozen in limbo. If I knew something was really going to happen, I'd be happy to wait. But I'm starting to have real doubts.
Opinions?
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
I'm in the same boat as you Gardener.
Haven't heard anything in 5 months, don't expect to now. I'm writing it off.
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
I'm waiting until I hear something, anything, about the winners. I've got three stories out that should've had replies by now, but after reading Jamie's advice, I'm just writing more. I don't have anything to lose, and the next story will be that much better.
I wouldn't presume to tell you what to do with your story--I'd suggest you inform them, via email, if you're withdrawing yours to submit elsewhere, though--but I'm standing fast.
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
Just visited the site again, and there was a small note (with a link to the same red-lettered message, but the note said):
quote: Robert A. Heinlein Centennial Short Story Contest judging continues. 10/13/2008
Note the date...
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
Thanks Babbler.
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
Phew, well at least that's something.
I'll just wait. Gotta write more, though - good advice. I need to invent more hours in the day first, but I'll work on that.
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
Kayti, you will be inventing those new hours for everyone, right? I mean, I could use a couple more.
[This message has been edited by Patrick James (edited October 16, 2008).]
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
Ooh, a good addition for the Hatrack Utility Belt[tm]!!
A time dilator. You aim it at your computer screen and bam! Only one hour of real time passes for every three hours writing time. You'll have to buy the booster pack to get the 5x effect (no, the effects are not stackable...)
Posted by Patrick James (Member # 7847) on :
Non-stackable effects? I hate those kind.
Posted by Gardener (Member # 7948) on :
Thanks for the update. If they're still judging, I can wait. I am writing more, also. If it doesn't place, I'll tweak and send it out again.
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
KayTi, please go the H.U.B. topic and add it. I think it's a great idea.
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
Wow—they must have gotten a whole bunch of stories. (I take it as a compliment that I haven't been rejected, yet.) Posted by debhoag (Member # 5493) on :
Well, it is a centennial contest; maybe it's also a centennial process. Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
quote: Well, it is a centennial contest; maybe it's also a centennial process.
In a fit of get-something-doneness, I sent a query today. I'll let y'all know if I hear anything (even though I'm not from the south there are times when a good "y'all" is warranted, ya know?)
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
I don't even remember what I wrote. Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
Lol. Mine was my Apocalyptic Taco Mix story. Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
Mine was my clone story, which i think is a really great story and I'm itching for it to see print. If not this way, then I want it back so I can send it out elsewhere. I heard nothing from my query. I'm a little impatient, it's been 6+ mos. Seems excessive. (but then again, I also want to win, so...willing to be patient if it means I might win. If they've just sort of forgotten about the contest/moved on to other things, though, then...well, I want the story back! LOL)
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
I thought they had sent out notices that the winners were already selected but they were exercising their right to hold our stories for up to a year.
Mine was a truly Heinlein-esque outer space story with aliens and space ships and all.
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
UPDATE: 3/31/2009 -- Judging continues, and the prize fund is fully funded and will be paid out at the end of the contest. Thank you for your patience.
I thought all those who stuck it out, would like to see this, too.
I wrote them because I missed that posting.
[This message has been edited by InarticulateBabbler (edited April 24, 2009).]
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
Deb jinxed us.
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
What's going on NOW?
Winners announced? Can those of us who submitted now send our stories elsewhere?
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
From what I gathered, the rights have reverted back to us on July 7th. It still would have been nice to hear something
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
"3/31/2009 -- Judging continues, and the prize fund is fully funded and will be paid out at the end of the contest. Thank you for your patience.
Entries are now closed. The judges are beginning their work and entrants will be notified of the results in due course."
The above is still the only info on the site. I'll write them another email and see what I can discover.
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
You know, I forget about this for months at a time and then you guys remind me that I haven't heard anything and that's *frustrating!!*
IB, let us know. I had to email someone else...like digging around on the website to find a board of director's email address, I think, before I got a reply. I think the contests email addy bounced or something.
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
I emailed them--to whom I had a response before--and am waiting for the reply. I asked if the contest was still valid, if it has been judged, if winners were notified and if those who didn't place will be informed. I'll share the response when it comes.
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
There is an update on their site posted on 08/02.
It appears they will have news in their next newsletter comeing out soon.
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
This is from the current--downloadable--newsletter:
quote: We had another gratifying response that took us quite by surprise. Thanks to donations and matching funds, we offered a substantial prize to the winner and runners up in a writing contest. We expected a good return, perhaps nearly one hundred entries, and maybe eight or ten truly worthy of being considered as finalists.
We received well over three hundred entries, and the number of stories worthy of considering as finalists are substantially more than three times what we expected.
Next month we should be in a position, at long last, to announce the contest winners.
How many of the 24 - 30 entries do you figure are Hatrackers?
Posted by snapper (Member # 7299) on :
quote:How many of the 24 - 30 entries do you figure are Hatrackers?
Zero (number not the hatracker (sorry))
I bet that anthology is full of every big name in writing for the past 20 years. I'm sure someone would have heard something by now. I sure hope that I am wrong, though.
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
Oh, we're totally represented because it's the posting here that got a bunch of us to submit. We have to be at least 15-20 of the 300 entries. Figuring many of us are a little better than average (lol) that puts us at 15 (say for example) of 150 (half of their supposed approx 300 entries. I can't believe they only thought they'd get 300 entries!) So if we're 10% of the ones that are worth considering...I bet at least 2 or 3 are in their top 10. Depends how many awards they actually give out.
I really don't think a bunch of big-namers are in this. While the $ are great, I don't think the contest was well-publicized, requires a certain kind of writing which is not as dark and brooding as what I see being published today, etc. I think it's a bunch of us fanboys, er and us fangirls.
I remain hopeful. I sent my best story.
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
Maybe they aren't going to announce the winners in August, hmmm? This is the last day, so we'll see.
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
And nope, I'm not on it. Bummer! Didn't recognize any Hatracker's in this list but I only skimmed it. Sad, sad. Congrats to the winners, whoever they are!
Ah well, but at least my story is free again!! Now...where to send it...
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
Well, I'm considering watering my story to see if it grows better.
Posted by Bent Tree (Member # 7777) on :
Well, that was the second longest response I have ever recieved on a submission...Second only to my two year rejection from Sniplets.
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
Well, I'm still waiting on something I sent out in 1975...
When I send mine, please take it as an invitation to return the favor.
There wasn't a Hatrack group for this contest last time.
Bummer! Didn't recognize any Hatracker's in this list but I only skimmed it. Sad, sad. Congrats to the winners, whoever they are!