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Even if they had heard, they couldn't say anything here in a public forum. There's a gag order on finalists until Joni posts the winners. And, as far as I know, no announcement has been made.
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We can't say anything if we've heard. But what is there to say when there's nothing to report?
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Anyone else get an E-mail about your certificate?
Joni would like to know you got it and if you are displaying it she would like a pic to show the designer.
Hmmm, mine is just laying on top of the previous one, I would like to do something with them besides let them collect dust yet not be too showy, but I haven't decided what yet... that doesn't help Joni though.
I saw a couple of "personal rejections" on Duotrope in the past week and thought maybe that was non-winning finalists logging their results. I guess not.
You should be proud of your achievement in reaching the finalist level. Neither Brad nor Nick won on their first time as finalists, either. You both made it there once and you'll do it again.
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Yes, it is definitely a big achievement you two. You must be so close now, please don't give up.
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Shenanigans!!!! Quite a justification of how close you are though. Selfishly, I look forward to being able to crit more of your work.
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Making Finalist and -not- winning ranked as the toughest rejection I'd ever gotten in 17 years of rejections. No question about it. I literally felt like the universe was conspiring to keep me from my dream of becoming a published author. WOTF was my best shot, and when my first Finalist did -not- win, well.... I've said it before, several times. The dark night of the soul. When you have to look in the mirror and ask yourself: how much do I -want- this thing?
If you conclude that you cannot walk away, then you need to give yourself a day or two to get over the hurt, take some time to re-gather yourself, then you need to get back to it. A rejection is a rejection is a rejection, and if you closed within striking distance once, then you need to double down and close to within striking distance again. It can be done. That's the great thing about WOTF: you're not restricted to, "One shot, one kill." You can enter as many times as it takes.
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So close yet so far as the old saying goes. But still both of you did get close... a whole lot closer than I have ever gotten and a few others around here. So congrats for that much.
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I shouldn't answer for Ute but he's a humble guy.
Jim is a published author and you likely read his work before Brad. He wrote many of the technical manuals for the army (I read a short bio of his). I also believe you guys are neighbors. Utah must put alphabet soup in their drinking water considering the amount of writers I see live there.
I salute both of you and am very grateful to your service.
Before I knew I had a Finalist entry, I had already shifted my focus to my novel series, so I might not revisit WotF for some time.
The thing is, I know my writing is good enough and after a certain point it's about editor preference and market fit. Honestly, my semi-final story was a better story and almost unanimously better received by the crit group (for that quarter). It's convinced me that once you start receiving any sort of recognition in WotF, you're writing is pretty much there. I also think your writing can be top quality and you might never receive even an HM from WotF because it doesn't suit their expectations. Just something to think about.
The other thing I will note is that axe and I both had alien pov stories. My semi was also alien pov. My question is whether an alien pov story has ever won the contest? Does anyone know? It might be another data point, it might not.
For now, I'll just wish everyone that's continuing in this pursuit a hearty "Good luck!" and if I decide to break from the novels and write something short you'll definitely see me drop into a crit group once again. You guys are great! Thanks for all your help.
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Genevive, I do hope you try again. Your semi and finalist spots prove that you're right there at the top.
I don't know about alien POV, but I read a story in Vol. 5 last night from the POV of a hovercraft's computer system trying to interpret the vagueness of its captain's command "Get us out of here." I loved it.
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Brad, Army. Spent a couple of years in Armor with the 7th Cav and 2nd Armored and another 18 as a Chemical officer with those units and others.
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And yet, my selfish side can't help but find solace in the fact that this allows me another opportunity to stand with you both in the winner circle at some future date. Sorry. Like I said: selfish. lol. Best of luck with your future stories.
quote:Well, I found out today that my finalist won't be the 13th story in the V28 anthology. (Which you can pre-order on Amazon for you Nick T fans.)
Sorry, Dustin. You'll make it in there. Just keep at it. As for Nick's story, I'm excited to see it in print.
quote:Red alert. Duotrope reports rejections have begun for most recent quarter.
I noticed one rejection being logged, too. But one is all I've seen. Unless a whole batch of them land tonight, we can probably consider it an anomaly.
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Finalist Alistair Kimble said he logged his rejection today for Q4. He told us not to panic. =)
I have a feeling we won't see Q1 for a few weeks yet. Possibly not until March. I base this on how early in the year the awards ceremony is this year compared to earlier years.
But who knows, KDW is a work horse.
Thanks for the encouragement Jennifer. I'd like to point out you spelled we'll wrong. You spelled it you'll.
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I'll predict the first round of Q1 rejections going out in mid-February -- hopefully with none of us among the unlucky.
quote:Thanks for the encouragement Jennifer. I'd like to point out you spelled we'll wrong. You spelled it you'll.
I've critiqued winning stories in Q2 for two years in a row now, and the streak must continue. Someone here needs to write a winner, and of course I wouldn't object if it were me.
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