Anthology Accept/Reject Letters

[LLambertLawson]

Sorry if this has been asked and answered elsewhere, but is there an estimate on when accept/reject letters will be sent out for entries into the anthology? I read on Twitter 'the end of August' which is, well, nigh. I wonder if we might be hearing soon?

Best,
L. Lambert Lawson

[LLambertLawson]

I wasn't entry-plus, btw. Just regular, old entry.

[Phil Norris]

This was asked somewhere else on the board but I can't find it now. I think end of August was earmarked as the date people would begin to find out, but considering the 1,700 + entries not sure if that date will be kept to.

The normal turnaround for publication in other anthologies I've submitted to is 3 months (so end Aug fits), but, 1,700 entries and a possible 13.6 million words (if all entries are in the region of the 8,000 word limit) is a lot to get through in 3 months. I've known some to wait 6 months or more before hearing anything, 2000AD has a possible 12 month response time for comic scripts.

[Phil Norris]

I wasn't entry-plus, btw. Just regular, old entry.

And I'm sure I've read elsewhere that everyone (no matter if entry-plus or not) would hear at the same time. The entry-plus just means you're getting feedback and review, not that you'll get a response any quicker.

[Idlewilder]

This was asked somewhere else on the board but I can't find it now. I think end of August was earmarked as the date people would begin to find out, but considering the 1,700 + entries not sure if that date will be kept to.

I think it will be end of September now. Pretty sure Overlord said this somewhere, here or on Twitter.

[Nestat]

When I spoke to Paul about it at the FF evening, he said that the stories either clocked in at 8000 or around the 4000 mark. If we take 6000 as the average, then three people have to read a little over 10,000,000 words. That works out at about the Wheel of Time and Malazan Book of the Fallen combined - so say Marc, Paul and Jennie have to read a complete ASoIaF each.

Then add on the fact that not only do they have to read them, they have to think about each one too. And make enough detailed notes that the stories at the top of the pile can be judged fairly against the stories at the bottom of the pile. Also add on the fact that they've never done this before.

So if they haven't given a firm date or the estimated date gets pushed back, be patient! They know you are eager to hear the results and are working furiously to make it as soon as possible.

ps. I've read this back to myself. Suppose I'd better mention that Mr Nestat here hasn't submitted a story, just in case you were wondering!

[Autumn2May]

When I spoke to Paul about it at the FF evening, he said that the stories either clocked in at 8000 or around the 4000 mark. If we take 6000 as the average, then three people have to read a little over 10,000,000 words. That works out at about the Wheel of Time and Malazan Book of the Fallen combined - so say Marc, Paul and Jennie have to read a complete ASoIaF each.

Then add on the fact that not only do they have to read them, they have to think about each one too. And make enough detailed notes that the stories at the top of the pile can be judged fairly against the stories at the bottom of the pile. Also add on the fact that they've never done this before.

So if they haven't given a firm date or the estimated date gets pushed back, be patient! They know you are eager to hear the results and are working furiously to make it as soon as possible.

ps. I've read this back to myself. Suppose I'd better mention that Mr Nestat here hasn't submitted a story, just in case you were wondering!

Each of the three of us are reading stories and putting aside our favorites. I think at last count (which was last week sometime) we had about 300 total left to read? After we finish we will have a long list. Then we have to read the stories the other two people have picked and narrow it down to a short list. Then we will pick the winners. I think it is at that point Marc and Paul will begin to send out Entry Plus letters. So maybe another week/week and a half on the long list? Then probably one to two weeks on the short list?  I'm not sure when we are announcing winners, but we will be notifying winners before we announce them. This is me guessing a lot, but that's roughly the earliest it will be.

I’ll poke Overlord and see if he can give us an official timeline.

[Aximand]

From the FantasyWritingContest twitter:

Am on a train to Somerset with a stack of printed submissions infront of me, also known as my long list... #whereisthewinner 05:25:19 PM August 31, 2012 from Twitter for iPhone

Seems like we are getting close! If guys don't mind me asking, was there any particular order in which the stories were read?

[Overlord]

From the FantasyWritingContest twitter:

Am on a train to Somerset with a stack of printed submissions infront of me, also known as my long list... #whereisthewinner 05:25:19 PM August 31, 2012 from Twitter for iPhone

Seems like we are getting close! If guys don't mind me asking, was there any particular order in which the stories were read?

Nope, no order

First 5 long listers have been announced on the Fantasy Writing Contest website

[Autumn2May]

@Eliza C I moved your post here: http://fantasy-faction.com/forum/fantasy-writing-contest-fantasy-faction-anthology/long-list!/