Hatrack River Forum: Hatrack Writer's Contest

This is topic Hatrack Writer's Contest in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :

Phobos is done now so we need a new challenge.

This is a contest for publication. The rules are:

Story may be either fiction or non-fiction (yes I know non-fiction is technically not a story, deal with it)
Story must be at least 1000 words long
Story must be a new submission after this date: August 1, 2003
Story must be accepted by a paying market, e-zines acceptable if they are paying 'zines.
Writer must post name of story and date of first submission on the thread. Rejections should be announced, along with dates of re-submission (if you don't want to post the actual title, just use a pseudo-title, likewise you don't have to name the market you've submitted to - that should keep you paranoid types happy)

I want this to do two things: Encourage an atmosphere of healthy competition to keep us all motivated and provide a place where we can all come together to encourage each other after rejections and celebrate our publications.
What do you say?

Oh, and winner gets...umm...a plate of hatrack cookies.

Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :

Oh, and if you don't want to do this here, we could move it to the madowl forum, which is password protected so it provides even more security. Though I don't think that is a problem since we're not posting bits of our stories, but still.

Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :

Belle, haven't you just finished a story that you're pretty sure will be accepted? [Smile]

Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :

Um....no. I have a few things already in circulation but I excluded those from this by saying that it has to be submitted after August 1.

I have a story ready, but there's never a way to be "pretty sure it will be accepted" unless you're doing it on assignment.

I don't have a problem excluding it too, if you think trying to stack the deck.

I will only use something that hasn't been completed yet. Better?

Posted by Deirdre (Member # 4200) on :

I want more than a plate of cookies. I want a thread in my honor and the fawning adoration of all.

Also, a parade.

Posted by Destineer (Member # 821) on :

Huh, interesting coincidence: I have a story packed up and ready to submit today.

The title is "The Machine Witch."

Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :

*grins at Deirdre*

And games. Games with lions and muscular men in little clothing. Plus! Those noise-makers. And face-painting. Definitely face-painting

Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :

I may just have to send out my "Wheels of Steel". Its a fun Dwarvish tale where no-one gets tossed.

Posted by Amka (Member # 690) on :

Hey, I'm game. I need a break from what I'm doing.

Posted by Sopwith (Member # 4640) on :

How about a separate contest for folks trying to get their first book published? [Angst]

Posted by Amka (Member # 690) on :

Hey, Deidre, thanks to our mods, we CAN have a parade.

Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :

Yes Deirdre, if you win you may have a thread in your honor and everyone who posts on the thread will have to bow and say "We're not worthy!"

[Hail]

Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :

Sopwith, if you get a book published, we will definitely throw a huge party in celebration.

[Party]

We'll all plaster big smiles on our faces [Big Grin]

but inside we'll be [Grumble]

grumbling with jealousy. [Wink]

Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :

I know I am. [Cry]

Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :

[No No]

No grumbling allowed for you, mack. You have two completed novels. I haven't finished anything longer than a 2500 word story.

And no crying! There's no need. We are all here to support each other.

Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :

Deirdre, are you sure you want a parade? There are usually clowns in parades. [Monkeys]

Posted by eslaine (Member # 5433) on :

What am I doing in this silly forum? I need to get writing!

Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :

--I--

Posted by Deirdre (Member # 4200) on :

<--has no problem with clowns

I think you have me confused with Ralphie's other sidekick. [Smile]

Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :

But what about those of us who will be submitting to publications that don't pay?

[Wall Bash]

You know, the kinds of publications where you get two free copies, but that's all.

Posted by Deirdre (Member # 4200) on :

You get that warm, fuzzy published feeling. And the two free copies.

But no parade.

Posted by Zalmoxis (Member # 2327) on :

Eh, who needs a parade? I'll take the prestige instead. *haughty sniff*

Posted by Deirdre (Member # 4200) on :

Silly academic. Prestige is for kids.

[Evil Laugh]

Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :

Yep, I did. Sorry about that, Deirdre. [Party]

<-- prepayment parade, *with* clowns.

Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :

Can you spell "rejection, kids?"

I knew you could.

*sigh* What a wonderful thing to receive on a Friday.

Oh well, try, try again, right?

Anyone else got any progress, positive or negative, to report?

Posted by Sopwith (Member # 4640) on :

Bah, a rejection letter is just a freedom slip for your story. Freedom to send it off somewhere that it will be more appreciated (and maybe pay more). [Razz]

Of course, they still suck. [Dont Know]

Posted by Olivet (Member # 1104) on :

Hey, I got a poem published once. I was pleased becaose all of the other poems were written by people with advanced degrees, though, now that I think about it, maybe that was a bad sign. [Big Grin]

Got six free copies of the wee little chapbook, too.

No money, Deirdre, but it still counts, by gosh!~

I have no missle ground, though. Poems and novels. Can't write short stories to save my life. [Dont Know]

I might try the ol' non-fiction essay thang, though. We'll see.