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Quote by WriterGirl
Following others' anthology examples. Author space on cover and copyright inside will be LLC name I'm setting up (See above Academy Arts Press i was in as example) . I was thinking about several names: Global Artists Press, Global Voices Press, Creative Voices Press, Inspiring Voices Press, United Voices Press. Any of these appeal? Other ideas?

Creative Voices Press sounds best out of that lot, with Inspiring Voices second. Global Voices and United Voices sound kind of political or activist. Global Artists sound like an arts organization or union.

Talespinners Press is probably long since taken, but is one I would contribute.

Some quick comp math, folks, using our latest as an example only:

• There were thirteen stories entered.

• Only ten can make the short list.

• Only three can win prizes.

• Therefore, even if all the stories were of equal quality, someone would not make the short list because the rules say so.

So don't assume your (or anyone else's) story is "worse" just because it does not make the top ten.

The judges have to draw a line somewhere and the rules say that line is between ten and eleven. It does not say that ten has to be a better story than eleven, only that the judges have some reason, maybe just personal preference, for putting it there.

Ditto the line between 3 and 4.

Look at a big literary prize like the Giller or Mann Booker. Are the books on the short list really THAT much better than the ones on the long list? Is the winner really the objectively "best" story on the short list? Hell no. It comes down to the judges and their perceptions and preferences.

So if you don't make the top three or top ten, realize that you're up against human judging on human standards in a field that is inherently subjective.

If you want to feel sad about not making the top ten, that's understandable. I'll happily commiserate with you over a cup of your favorite hot beverage. Been there, done that.

But don't sell your story short just because it didn't make that line.

As I said above, even if all the stories entered were equal in writing quality and handling of the theme (and I have no idea how you would even determine that since we are talking subjective art here), someone would not make the cut simply because that's how the comp works.

In fact, I would encourage people who miss the cut in a comp to dust that story off, do some editing, and see if you can find other places to submit it. Maybe some other judge or editor will disagree with our judges.

/Rant off

There is no truth to the rumour that "coffee" makes you "cough-y". So I'm putting on a pot of some fine Jamaican beans. Tea pots are full of nice hot Red Rose and English Breakfast. Hot water is ready for hot chocolate and other goodness.

Crap day here. Rain, freezing rain, ice pellets, snow. If it is H2O and falls from the sky, it's probably in our 24 hour forecast. Which means, of course, falling temperatures, too. All the more reason to keep the hot bevvies going. I've lit up the fireplace and put out some new cozy blankets too.

Quote by WriterGirl
) I think proper names would look more professional too if everyone agrees

I just assumed real/pen names per any publication.

And The Godfather's Daughter was one of my favorites in the comp. I will be disappointed if it isn't there.😕

My own plan is to not change much unless I hear otherwise from someone. I am fairly happy with both stories and when I said "polish" I meant just a go over to clean up any language I don't like and smooth over any rough spots.

Goal - Coal

Quote by Survivor
As for the last contest my entry ended up out of the top ten completely.

So did mine. The whole premise of this is to highlight the diversity and quality of the whole field, not just the top ten.

I actually jokingly suggested the idea in response to this quote from Writergirl:

"And I showed my sis these stories and she was blown away ... said she could see all of us published in book stores."

Warm weather will come someday.

Quote by WriterGirl

Sure, Scott. Polish what you want. And I'm asking an editor on other site to go over mine too. Anyone who wants a 2nd eyes and polish, let me know. You'd get to see the final to approve or not.

I'll give both of mine a pass this weekend and then send them. Might not be a bad idea to get another pair of eyeballs on them, I guess.

Dang, did not realize these guys were still around. Been going continuously since 1968, though only one original member is left, bassist Pete Agnew. They've been around so long that Pete's son Lee is now the drummer, and has been for about 23 years.

Got some Jasmine Green and Lemon Ginger herbal teas on. Put more coffee on for those insane people who drink it in the evening (or who are staying up for the Olympic women's hockey final between Canada and the USA) or for the Aussies just rising.

No Sara yet this evening. checks cookie jars Looks okay. scarfs a book and a pencil

Do check out Writergirl's plan in that thread she linked if you have a story in either of the last two comps. Wonderful idea.

And to the Americans: May the best team (which is almost certainly us) win!! 😇

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Boat - Goat

Quote by WriterGirl

Quote by Brad_Naylor

Thank you for the invite but I think it may have been sent to me in error. I did enter the competition but didn't do very well. Any such book would only be as strong as its weakest story and I wouldn't want to be the one to let the side down. Thank you anyway and good luck with the book. I will of course be only too happy to purchase a copy when it becomes available.

I didn't make an error and it's up to you, but your story is welcome. I'd like an editor to go over it if you don't mind, just ensuring it's the best version of itself. It could flow better in a few areas, imo. Your storyline will not be changed and was a unique concept. Let me know ... 😊

Are you okay if we polish before submitting? I think my Spooky Tales story is fine as is but might want to take a pass at The Bat.

Blag - Brag

Quote by WriterGirl
email me your word or Google doc of your story to

Any particular formatting you want? I currently use something approximating manuscript format (double spaced, indented first lines) so it's ready if I submit to a publisher.

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I am good since it was, well, my idea.😊

And, really, it would be a welcome first for me. I looked at self-publishing through Kindle years ago (stories from redacted) but decided I didn't have the time.

Go Writergirl! As I said, I will support and can probably help with some things, just don't have time to be spearheading it. Got plenty to do at work and only 7 business days left until I am off for my next eye surgery.

Yeesh, one sly remark and I seem to have started something. I don't actually have time to run with the anthology idea but if the site does, I will happily support it.

Quote by WriterGirl
she could see all of us published in book stores

Hmmm. An anthology of Stories Space comp winners and runners up could actually be an interesting idea.😉

I shall have a book and a pencil with my evening tea. Sencha (Japanese green) is ready for anyone interested.

Thank you, Molly.

Quote by verbal
Lotsa good story ideas, if nothing else.

The case I would have been on, had I been selected, sounded depressing as hell. No story ideas there.

Quite an interesting slate of stories in this comp. I had a slightly different top 3 in mind but not too far off, actually. Fantastic comp and congratulations to the winners and runners-up. Terrific job, all.

WIth the marshmallows safely stowed (yeah, there were shamrock ones, just didn't see them at first), time to get the day rolling.

Coffee is Costa Rican. Teas are English Breakfast and Earl Grey Supreme (Earl Grey with MORE BERGAMOT!!). Hot water is ready as is hot chocolate mix and assorted other teas.

So today is supposed to be the big day, but nothing showing up yet. Perhaps later. Depends on what time zone the judges are in, I guess.

Okay, the headline says 18, the URL says 17. I didn't count so buyer beward. 😋

Not surprisingly, a lot specialize in poetry and flash fiction, which take less time to read and make a decision on, hence the fast response times. Most seem to be more general, with only a few seeming to have a specific focus, at least from the descriptions in the article. I haven't started following links to see details yet.

» 18 Literary Journals with Fast Response Times (authorspublish.com)

Yeesh, that's a whole month away. There are green ones. Though maybe that's mold.

Gotcha! 😀

Quote by DenimAngel

Peeking in the storage room ...APE ....

They're out back on the dock. Just haven't moved them in to the storage room yet. 😊

Again we must don parkas.