Fantasy Faction
Fantasy Faction Writers => Writers' Corner => Fantasy-Faction's 2013 Anthology => Topic started by: Overlord on January 04, 2012, 03:18:46 PM
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Are you entering the contest?
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Yes.
A contest sounds like fun and not knowing what it is all about yet doubles it. ;)
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I want to enter the January writing contest but the directions on where/how to post/submit my entry is a bit confusing- the page for the contest says "submit entry below" and then there is no place to submit it. Please clarify! Thank you-
Rebecca Fisk- wishywash27
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I want to enter the January writing contest but the directions on where/how to post/submit my entry is a bit confusing- the page for the contest says "submit entry below" and then there is no place to submit it. Please clarify! Thank you-
Rebecca Fisk- wishywash27
The January contest is a different contest. The Anthology contest runs a lot longer and umm...hmmm...I'm not really allowed to say more yet. ;) More details coming soon! :)
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This is a different contest ;)
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Could I just clarify whether there's any official or informal cut-off for "new and unrecognised", and if so where the bar is? I'm not particularly recognised compared with some of the people here, but I've had a couple of dozen pay/semi-pro credits, and I have a story coming out soon in a pro magazine, but I'd love to enter if I can. I imagine there are quite a few members at a similar level.
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Could I just clarify whether there's any official or informal cut-off for "new and unrecognised", and if so where the bar is? I'm not particularly recognised compared with some of the people here, but I've had a couple of dozen pay/semi-pro credits, and I have a story coming out soon in a pro magazine, but I'd love to enter if I can. I imagine there are quite a few members at a similar level.
I believe for the contest anyone can enter, but the story that you enter needs to be unpublished. I'll double check with the boss for clarification. :)
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I'd like to enter the contest, although I doubt anything I write would be good enough to get published, but my big problem is length. My wife teases me that I'm unable to write less than 10,000 words for anything. Just because she can pack about 10 pages worth of story into a paragraph! A skill I greatly envy. The 'Tale' is intriguing and I hope to be able to contribute to that.
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Could I just clarify whether there's any official or informal cut-off for "new and unrecognised", and if so where the bar is? I'm not particularly recognised compared with some of the people here, but I've had a couple of dozen pay/semi-pro credits, and I have a story coming out soon in a pro magazine, but I'd love to enter if I can. I imagine there are quite a few members at a similar level.
I believe for the contest anyone can enter, but the story that you enter needs to be unpublished. I'll double check with the boss for clarification. :)
Thanks
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Could I just clarify whether there's any official or informal cut-off for "new and unrecognised", and if so where the bar is? I'm not particularly recognised compared with some of the people here, but I've had a couple of dozen pay/semi-pro credits, and I have a story coming out soon in a pro magazine, but I'd love to enter if I can. I imagine there are quite a few members at a similar level.
I believe for the contest anyone can enter, but the story that you enter needs to be unpublished. I'll double check with the boss for clarification. :)
Thanks
Yup, anyone can enter. As long as the story is unpublished, you stand as good a chance to win as anyone else does. :)
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I plan on entering the contest but I have a question.
The story entered has to be un-published but what about the author? I've had a short story and three flash fictions published - the short I was paid for - does this exclude me entering?
I know some anthologies only want entries from un-published authors.
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Should have read the posts above more carefully as I see my question has been answered already...D'oh!
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By 'unpublished' we mean an author not published (in novel format) through a publishing house. Short Stories within anthologies and self-published novelists are fine and welcome :)
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Hum. I've had a novel out from a small publishing house.
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Got to say...good timing on this lol. I've been a tad busy recently, but things are finally winding down, then I see a contest is about to start :)
I'm going to give'r a go, haven't been published in anything, so it'd be cool if I could get a start here lol. Now to think up something to write...
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Oh it's on like Donkey Kong! I am in!
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Oh it's on like Donkey Kong! I am in!
Excellent! Great to hear so many people interested in entering :)
Just to confirm that word count is 8000 words :) Initially was set to be 10,000 but because we had so many authors submit long stories we had to cut it down slightly :D 8000 words I think is pretty generous though for a short story - long enough to contain a good story and yet short enough to be read in a single sitting :)
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Definitely entering, and looking forward to it :)
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I'm in for the contest!
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Yes I am in. I have time to put some editing on my short story, I have already written one and by the time I edited and tighten it.
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Oh it's on like Donkey Kong! I am in!
Excellent! Great to hear so many people interested in entering :)
Just to confirm that word count is 8000 words :) Initially was set to be 10,000 but because we had so many authors submit long stories we had to cut it down slightly :D 8000 words I think is pretty generous though for a short story - long enough to contain a good story and yet short enough to be read in a single sitting :)
So just out of curiousity, it can be less than 8K correct? That's just the maximum?
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Oh it's on like Donkey Kong! I am in!
Excellent! Great to hear so many people interested in entering :)
Just to confirm that word count is 8000 words :) Initially was set to be 10,000 but because we had so many authors submit long stories we had to cut it down slightly :D 8000 words I think is pretty generous though for a short story - long enough to contain a good story and yet short enough to be read in a single sitting :)
So just out of curiousity, it can be less than 8K correct? That's just the maximum?
Yup, it's 5000 - 8000 words. :)
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I am in! I love writing for contests; they seem to be the only way to keep me to a deadline lol
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I am in! I love writing for contests; they seem to be the only way to keep me to a deadline lol
Awesome - good luck!
And yep, up to 8000 and above 5000 :)
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Submitted my entry about an hour ago, opted for the entry-plus as well as I'd like to get some detailed feedback and critique on my work.
Now for the long wait every author has to endure constantly checking inbox for that email...
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Question: when the rules say the story must be previously 'unpublished', does that exclude stories which have previously been posted on non-professional writing communities? I.e. sites where you can post your own stuff just for personal development reasons? E.g. here: http://www.elfwood.com (http://www.elfwood.com) ??
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I'm sure there'll be an official answer to this, but for publishing purposes a story is unpublished if it's been posted on a password-protected site for the purpose of peer review. It's been published if, for example, you post it on your blog.
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I am definitely going to give this a go. Get Writing will be all over in just over a week so, ironically, I'll have more time to write again! I recently had a horror story accepted for an antho, am working on another so I'm feeling kind of warm and fuzzy about my progress right now :)
Mind you, 5-8,000 words. I tend to be short and sweet but it'll be good to stretch myself!
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I am definitely going to give this a go. Get Writing will be all over in just over a week so, ironically, I'll have more time to write again! I recently had a horror story accepted for an antho, am working on another so I'm feeling kind of warm and fuzzy about my progress right now :)
Mind you, 5-8,000 words. I tend to be short and sweet but it'll be good to stretch myself!
I agree, I have started on something for this, but until Get Writing is finished with I can't spare the time. Although I am glad of the word count, leaves a lot of room to move about and tinker with things.
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I'm sure there'll be an official answer to this, but for publishing purposes a story is unpublished if it's been posted on a password-protected site for the purpose of peer review. It's been published if, for example, you post it on your blog.
Unofficially, I think this is a good guide to go by. Officially, I'll ask Overlord. :)
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Thanks for the responses. In my experience, different magazines have different definitions, so I'm just wondering what the official definition is re. the FF anthology :)
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I am going to do my darnedest to enter the contest! I've got a number of short stories brewing that I hope will fit the bill! :D
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Question: when the rules say the story must be previously 'unpublished', does that exclude stories which have previously been posted on non-professional writing communities? I.e. sites where you can post your own stuff just for personal development reasons? E.g. here: http://www.elfwood.com (http://www.elfwood.com) ??
The rule is that it has to be removed if you submit it. If you have submitted it for critique and people have given you advice - that is fine. If it is up online for free at the time the anthology is published, we are obviously doing people who purchase the anthology a disservice. So, what I would recommend is that you take down the story you submit to the anthology at least until the winners are announced because upon selecting the winners we will be doing a search through the net (using some specialise software - similar to how universities search for plagerism) and should your story be found anywhere online it will be disqualified. This isn't just to keep people submitting stories that they have online either, it is to stop people copying and pasting stories from forums and sending them over to us as their own for the prize money ;)
Hope that helps and doesn't sound too brutal! :D
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No no, don't worry - that sounds very fair. Thanks for letting me know! :)
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Yep - am going to enter and am 100 words in....what's the deadline again?! ;)
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Yep - am going to enter and am 100 words in....what's the deadline again?! ;)
Deadline is June 30th. So you have some time. ;)
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At 100 words a day, you could write a novella by then 8)
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I'm certainly going to try! I have two possible ideas, and one I'm working on now. And if nothing else, it'll be good to have a deadline to finish something! :)
ETA: just to double-check - I have an RPG on dreamwidth that is a 'sandbox' game, where people can just toss in characters (canon or original) to play against others, but there is only what continuity you want. I tend to use it as a rough'n'dirty way of fleshing out characters in my mind as I write them (although, obviously, the stories they come from don't refer to the game at all; it's an 'alternate universe', so to speak), and I've been tossing around at least one of the characters I plan to write the short story about. So, just double-checking that the game doesn't count as 'published', because it's just a version of the characters on the internet already, not their story or interactions with each other.
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Who else is planning to enter but struggling to think of a solid idea that would fit as a short story? D:
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Who else is planning to enter but struggling to think of a solid idea that would fit as a short story? D:
Me! Actually I'd LIKE to enter, but can't get a good handle on a standalone short story idea that fits the criteria.
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Me! Actually I'd LIKE to enter, but can't get a good handle on a standalone short story idea that fits the criteria.
That's exactly my problem! I want a nice, unique idea that carries across well and is a good read but I'm totally drawing a blank.
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Unique is good - but don't get too caught up thinking you have to do something that has never been done before. The great thing about Fantasy as a genre is that we know roughly what to expect when going into it and therefore you are 'allowed' to write things into your story that are familiar :)
We have received a lot of stories that I would call 'new weird' or 'speculative fiction', but there is always room for Traditional Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Epic Fantasy (well... as epic as you can be), Sword & Sorcery, Steam Punk, etc in this kind of anthology :) What we want to do with the Fantasy-Faction Anthology is give people a taste of just how vast fantasy is and the many different types of fantasy that exist :)
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Who else is planning to enter but struggling to think of a solid idea that would fit as a short story? D:
Oh yeah, I wrote 5000 words of a story then realized it didn't really work as a short story after all! I think I've got a working idea this time, we'll see what happens! :D
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Thing is, that word limit is a killer. Very few of the short stories I've written and liked best are under 8,000 words. How much leeway might there be? My favorite favorite is thirteen thousand, no chance, but I have another very good one that's about nine thousand words. Otherwise, I'd have to make something up, and I'd rather keep my novel going, I'm not very good at that as is.
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Unique is good - but don't get too caught up thinking you have to do something that has never been done before. The great thing about Fantasy as a genre is that we know roughly what to expect when going into it and therefore you are 'allowed' to write things into your story that are familiar :)
We have received a lot of stories that I would call 'new weird' or 'speculative fiction', but there is always room for Traditional Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Epic Fantasy (well... as epic as you can be), Sword & Sorcery, Steam Punk, etc in this kind of anthology :) What we want to do with the Fantasy-Faction Anthology is give people a taste of just how vast fantasy is and the many different types of fantasy that exist :)
Oh of course, it shall be fairly familiar but I don't want dé ja vu ;) Just trying to work out if it'll be urban, epic.. something else.. That and I'm desperately lamenting my lack of Scrivener!
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I'm having the same problem regarding the word count. I had a whole story written out, down to 7992 (give or take a few words) but chucked the whole lot in the bin. The characters, I liked, but the plot was boring and contrived as hell. I've now started again with the same characters and an entirely different plot.
I find it hard to condense world-building and creating strong characters into 8000 words, but if nothing else this competition provides an interesting challenge and I think receiving feedback (as I don't know any fellow writers in real life) will be very useful. :)
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Thing is, that word limit is a killer. Very few of the short stories I've written and liked best are under 8,000 words. How much leeway might there be? My favorite favorite is thirteen thousand, no chance, but I have another very good one that's about nine thousand words. Otherwise, I'd have to make something up, and I'd rather keep my novel going, I'm not very good at that as is.
I'm sure a few words over 8,000 wouldn't be a big problem but if you get up towards 8,100 then I think you're pushing it. I'll let Overlord give you the official say in the matter, but I know the word count is there so it's fair to everyone and so all the stories will fit into the anthology.
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Who else is planning to enter but struggling to think of a solid idea that would fit as a short story? D:
I have the opposite problem - about a dozen ideas or beginnings of stories, and I need to pick which one I want to go with.
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Thing is, that word limit is a killer. Very few of the short stories I've written and liked best are under 8,000 words. How much leeway might there be? My favorite favorite is thirteen thousand, no chance, but I have another very good one that's about nine thousand words. Otherwise, I'd have to make something up, and I'd rather keep my novel going, I'm not very good at that as is.
I'm sure a few words over 8,000 wouldn't be a big problem but if you get up towards 8,100 then I think you're pushing it. I'll let Overlord give you the official say in the matter, but I know the word count is there so it's fair to everyone and so all the stories will fit into the anthology.
I'm afraid 8001 would get you disqualified... it's not that we are trying to be harsh or anything like that. It is just if we start letting people have over 8000 it isn't fair to the people who really pushed themselves to get under 8000. Sorry guys >.<
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Unique is good - but don't get too caught up thinking you have to do something that has never been done before. The great thing about Fantasy as a genre is that we know roughly what to expect when going into it and therefore you are 'allowed' to write things into your story that are familiar :)
We have received a lot of stories that I would call 'new weird' or 'speculative fiction', but there is always room for Traditional Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Epic Fantasy (well... as epic as you can be), Sword & Sorcery, Steam Punk, etc in this kind of anthology :) What we want to do with the Fantasy-Faction Anthology is give people a taste of just how vast fantasy is and the many different types of fantasy that exist :)
Oh of course, it shall be fairly familiar but I don't want dé ja vu ;) Just trying to work out if it'll be urban, epic.. something else.. That and I'm desperately lamenting my lack of Scrivener!
I look forward to your entry! :D
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Thing is, that word limit is a killer. Very few of the short stories I've written and liked best are under 8,000 words. How much leeway might there be? My favorite favorite is thirteen thousand, no chance, but I have another very good one that's about nine thousand words. Otherwise, I'd have to make something up, and I'd rather keep my novel going, I'm not very good at that as is.
Is certainly a killer. Writing a short story within a confined word limit is a real art! Very few people can pull it off - i.e. why we have run this competition.
Be cool if you write something, I shall look forward to reading it, but if not -> Good luck with your novel! :)
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Who else is planning to enter but struggling to think of a solid idea that would fit as a short story? D:
I have the opposite problem - about a dozen ideas or beginnings of stories, and I need to pick which one I want to go with.
That is almost exactly me with novel writing... as I said somewhere yesterday (may have been here or on Twitter...) I have about 1,000,000 chapter 1s in My Documents! :D
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Thing is, that word limit is a killer. Very few of the short stories I've written and liked best are under 8,000 words. How much leeway might there be? My favorite favorite is thirteen thousand, no chance, but I have another very good one that's about nine thousand words. Otherwise, I'd have to make something up, and I'd rather keep my novel going, I'm not very good at that as is.
I'm sure a few words over 8,000 wouldn't be a big problem but if you get up towards 8,100 then I think you're pushing it. I'll let Overlord give you the official say in the matter, but I know the word count is there so it's fair to everyone and so all the stories will fit into the anthology.
I'm afraid 8001 would get you disqualified... it's not that we are trying to be harsh or anything like that. It is just if we start letting people have over 8000 it isn't fair to the people who really pushed themselves to get under 8000. Sorry guys >.<
And now we know. Thanks Overlord. :)
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Who else is planning to enter but struggling to think of a solid idea that would fit as a short story? D:
I have the opposite problem - about a dozen ideas or beginnings of stories, and I need to pick which one I want to go with.
That is almost exactly me with novel writing... as I said somewhere yesterday (may have been here or on Twitter...) I have about 1,000,000 chapter 1s in My Documents! :D
I have five novels lined up after I've finished my current trilogy. Fortunately, there's a logical order to write them in 8)
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I got hit with an idea that may work last night, I'll have to do a bit of research and see if I can make it work.
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I got hit with an idea that may work last night, I'll have to do a bit of research and see if I can make it work.
Awesome - Good luck Elfy :)
Nyki - See, that is where you and I differ... Nothing I do is logical :P
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Nyki - See, that is where you and I differ... Nothing I do is logical :P
I don't make a habit of it 8)
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Guys,
Just participate this contest and If any one need assistance in writing and in this regard can contact me any time.
Thanks.
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Hi Hi. This is a head's up for anyone using Openoffice Writer to submit their entry to the contest. I thought I'd put it here rather than make a new thread about it.
I wrote my submission for the contest (which is currently in re-drafting stages) and it came out at around 8,094ish words in Openoffice Writer. However, I have also been using some of my free time to write it on my university's computers who use Microsoft Word. On Word the count fell drastically to 7,791 (that's a 291 difference), which gave me a moment to pause.
Basically, Word and Openoffice Writer have different ideas about what makes a word. After looking on the internet I found a blog post that best explains the answer: http://blog.garycorby.com/2009/05/word-count-in-openoffice-writer-and.html (http://blog.garycorby.com/2009/05/word-count-in-openoffice-writer-and.html)
What I'm saying is, if you do use Openoffice Writer, I would reccomend finding access to Microsoft Word before submitting. Given how each word needs to count, you may have more words to play with than you think!
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Hi Hi. This is a head's up for anyone using Openoffice Writer to submit their entry to the contest. I thought I'd put it here rather than make a new thread about it.
I wrote my submission for the contest (which is currently in re-drafting stages) and it came out at around 8,094ish words in Openoffice Writer. However, I have also been using some of my free time to write it on my university's computers who use Microsoft Word. On Word the count fell drastically to 7,791 (that's a 291 difference), which gave me a moment to pause.
Basically, Word and Openoffice Writer have different ideas about what makes a word. After looking on the internet I found a blog post that best explains the answer: http://blog.garycorby.com/2009/05/word-count-in-openoffice-writer-and.html (http://blog.garycorby.com/2009/05/word-count-in-openoffice-writer-and.html)
What I'm saying is, if you do use Openoffice Writer, I would reccomend finding access to Microsoft Word before submitting. Given how each word needs to count, you may have more words to play with than you think!
Thank you so much for that - really interesting :)
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That's really good to know - before I disqualify myself without noticing...
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That's really good to know - before I disqualify myself without noticing...
A few people have filled out the form and forgot to send stories, which is a shame :(
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Haven't sent anything yet, but I certainly will.
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Hi Hi. This is a head's up for anyone using Openoffice Writer to submit their entry to the contest. I thought I'd put it here rather than make a new thread about it.
I wrote my submission for the contest (which is currently in re-drafting stages) and it came out at around 8,094ish words in Openoffice Writer. However, I have also been using some of my free time to write it on my university's computers who use Microsoft Word. On Word the count fell drastically to 7,791 (that's a 291 difference), which gave me a moment to pause.
Basically, Word and Openoffice Writer have different ideas about what makes a word. After looking on the internet I found a blog post that best explains the answer: http://blog.garycorby.com/2009/05/word-count-in-openoffice-writer-and.html (http://blog.garycorby.com/2009/05/word-count-in-openoffice-writer-and.html)
What I'm saying is, if you do use Openoffice Writer, I would reccomend finding access to Microsoft Word before submitting. Given how each word needs to count, you may have more words to play with than you think!
Thank you so much for that - really interesting :)
This happened to me - I worked hard to dip under 8K in Open Office, only to discover I still had almost four hundred more words to play with under Word!
Of course, I used it for a gratuitous sex scene with the Elf-Queen and the Water-Nymphs.
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Hi Hi. This is a head's up for anyone using Openoffice Writer to submit their entry to the contest. I thought I'd put it here rather than make a new thread about it.
I wrote my submission for the contest (which is currently in re-drafting stages) and it came out at around 8,094ish words in Openoffice Writer. However, I have also been using some of my free time to write it on my university's computers who use Microsoft Word. On Word the count fell drastically to 7,791 (that's a 291 difference), which gave me a moment to pause.
Basically, Word and Openoffice Writer have different ideas about what makes a word. After looking on the internet I found a blog post that best explains the answer: http://blog.garycorby.com/2009/05/word-count-in-openoffice-writer-and.html (http://blog.garycorby.com/2009/05/word-count-in-openoffice-writer-and.html)
What I'm saying is, if you do use Openoffice Writer, I would reccomend finding access to Microsoft Word before submitting. Given how each word needs to count, you may have more words to play with than you think!
Thank you so much for that - really interesting :)
This happened to me - I worked hard to dip under 8K in Open Office, only to discover I still had almost four hundred more words to play with under Word!
Of course, I used it for a gratuitous sex scene with the Elf-Queen and the Water-Nymphs.
Of course. :P
I really wish Open Office would use a similar system to Word. I'm not asking for a perfect word match, but a difference of 250-400ish words is rather annoying. I put my (now 300 + words) into an online counter and it came out as 8025, Word says it's 8001 and Open office says it's 8220. Absolute. Bloody. Nightmare.
I'm going to assume this contest will be judged under Microsoft's word count? Obviously I will be working hard to ensure my work is under the 8000 word limit (it's not a loss if I have to cut words out), but Open Office just seems to be calculating rather strangely and having put this story into several different versions of Word, it seems more consistent.
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I'm definitely (very excitedly) entered. I have been forced to declare a piece of fiction finished for the first time ever.
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I'm going to assume this contest will be judged under Microsoft's word count? Obviously I will be working hard to ensure my work is under the 8000 word limit (it's not a loss if I have to cut words out), but Open Office just seems to be calculating rather strangely and having put this story into several different versions of Word, it seems more consistent.
I hadn't considered this issue; I wrote in Pages, and never checked the count in anything else, but I was very close to the limit…
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I'm still working on mine, but considering where I'm at and my current word count and knowing roughly how much I have to write I'm going to come in easily inside the word count.
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I've finally figured out what I will write about, so I will be entering the contest as well. I hope to be able to do the entry-plus as well. Will there be a notice when the fantasy-faction judges receive their limit? I think I read 300 submissions?
Happy Writing!
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I've finally figured out what I will write about, so I will be entering the contest as well. I hope to be able to do the entry-plus as well. Will there be a notice when the fantasy-faction judges receive their limit? I think I read 300 submissions?
Happy Writing!
I'm sure Overlord will let us know when entry plus is closed. :) Last check, they had gotten 150+ of the entry plus submissions.
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I'm not sure this the place to ask, but I couldn't find the answer anywhere on the contest site. The anthology has six spaces for winners, but only three of the spots get prize money. Is there additional payment on top of the prize money for publication rights, and if so, what is it? If there is no additional payment, would someone who placed in the 4th-6th spots be allowed to withdraw their story for possible sale elsewhere?
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I'm not sure this the place to ask, but I couldn't find the answer anywhere on the contest site. The anthology has six spaces for winners, but only three of the spots get prize money. Is there additional payment on top of the prize money for publication rights, and if so, what is it? If there is no additional payment, would someone who placed in the 4th-6th spots be allowed to withdraw their story for possible sale elsewhere?
No, there is no additional payment. I believe that we ask for exclusive rights for one year, after that you are free to publish your story elsewhere. I'll have Overlord check in and give you a clearer answer.
The real sell of this contest is chance to get something published in anthology alongside some already successful and big name authors. The cash prize is really just icing on the cake. :)
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Thank you. While I'm not a published novelist (yet anyway :)), I have sold several short stories. I realize the chance to be published alongside a famous name is a good deal, but my short story sale money helps with the bills so if it's a choice between getting paid and not being paid I have to consider the former. I don't want to waste anyone's time if pursing this contest isn't a good fit for me.
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I entered a while ago now, and I'm just wondering when those of us lucky enough to use the Entry Plus might start hearing back?
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I'm still plugging away at my entry when I can, didn't get it finished in time for Entry plus but that's okay. Who else out there is still chipping away writing? :D
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Me, although the end is in sight.
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I'm still working on mine. But the entry plus is closed? :( bummer...
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I'm still working on mine. But the entry plus is closed? :( bummer...
Entry plus is not closed? Who told you that?
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I entered a while ago now, and I'm just wondering when those of us lucky enough to use the Entry Plus might start hearing back?
It will be just after the contest closes - (We can't do it before this as it could mean that people re-enter under a new name once they know what we like, etc) =)
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I'm still working on mine. But the entry plus is closed? :( bummer...
Entry plus is not closed? Who told you that?
Are there many spots left? I may probably miss it anyway. I imagine - in my usual, fantastic style - I'll work on mine right up until the deadline. I need to let it sit for a month or so as it is. :P
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I'm still plugging away at my entry when I can, didn't get it finished in time for Entry plus but that's okay. Who else out there is still chipping away writing? :D
I'm still working on mine. But the entry plus is closed? :( bummer...
Entry plus is not closed? Who told you that?
Sorry, I must have misunderstood the above quote by Neila... but YEA! Back to finishing up my short story in a timely fashion... :)
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Sorry about the double exclamation points. don't know how that happened...blame it on the kiddos :)
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I'm still working on mine. But the entry plus is closed? :( bummer...
Entry plus is not closed? Who told you that?
Are there many spots left? I may probably miss it anyway. I imagine - in my usual, fantastic style - I'll work on mine right up until the deadline. I need to let it sit for a month or so as it is. :P
You should be fine, we will let you all have a warning once it is closed =)
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I've already finished my story but I'm still in the review process. I hope I finish it in time to get entry-plus.
BTW, Notepad++ also counts more words than Microsoft Word (8013 vs 7842 in my case).
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I've already finished my story but I'm still in the review process. I hope I finish it in time to get entry-plus.
BTW, Notepad++ also counts more words than Microsoft Word (8013 vs 7842 in my case).
Why, may I ask, are you writing narrative fiction in a programming environment?
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I'm still deciding between two stories, both of which need a good deal of revision :-\
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I've already finished my story but I'm still in the review process. I hope I finish it in time to get entry-plus.
BTW, Notepad++ also counts more words than Microsoft Word (8013 vs 7842 in my case).
Why, may I ask, are you writing narrative fiction in a programming environment?
;D I like it for it's simplicity and responsiveness. I still have to 'convert' the files in Word when I'm done, but I take that as part of the revision process.
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I finished! I just have to review it and screw up my courage to send it in.
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I'm thinking about writing something to submit, but I'm still not sure. I have a lot of plotted stories and works in progress but have been sick and out of action for a while. I guess it mostly depends on whether I write anything I'm satisfied with in the next two months. :P
Also, I wasn't quite sure if I was eligible to enter. I had a look on the website earlier and couldn't see anything to disqualify me, but I swear I read somewhere a while ago (although I could be imagining things) that it was only for invitees or previously unpublished authors. I definitely don't count as the first, but I have one published story now so I was wondering if that meant I can't enter.
Either way, I'm definitely excited to read it when it is done. :)
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I'm sure Overlord will respond officially to this, but you have to be seriously professionally published not to qualify. One story would be fine, I'd think.
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I've submitted my story. Now all I need it a nail-biting smiley.
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Also, I wasn't quite sure if I was eligible to enter. I had a look on the website earlier and couldn't see anything to disqualify me, but I swear I read somewhere a while ago (although I could be imagining things) that it was only for invitees or previously unpublished authors. I definitely don't count as the first, but I have one published story now so I was wondering if that meant I can't enter.
Congratulations on being published! Don't take this as gospel, but I think it was published stories that couldn't be submitted. Published authors should be fine.
*Edit* Do take it as gospel:
http://fantasywritingcontest.com/online-entry/ (http://fantasywritingcontest.com/online-entry/)
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I believe you have to have sold over 5,000 copies of your book to be considered a published author. So if you haven't sold that many, then for the purposes of this contest, you are considered unpublished and you're fine.
The story you are submitting must be unpublished. Peer review is okay, but if the story you are entering has been published on a website, in a magazine, or in another anthology, then it won't qualify for the contest.
Hope that helps. :)
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Thanks guys.
Should be fine then. :)
I'm still in the process of editing and deciding if any story I have might be worth sending in. I usually need a week or two after writing until I can read them with enough distance to edit properly. Might be a last minute sub from me.
I've developed a bit of an appetite for short fiction lately and I'm excited to read the stories even if I don't end up submitting anything. :)
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I've left mine for a month now and I can still recite the first paragraph in my head.
Just making the most of the time, I guess. ;D
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Oh I'm definitely joining! :D I love to write and it would be the most amazing thing in the world if a short story of mine got published. I'm really excited about it and I've been working on the story for a couple days now.
I'm probably going to get the book regardless if my story is printed in it or not though. I would really love to read the others. :)
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I've left mine for a month now and I can still recite the first paragraph in my head.
Just making the most of the time, I guess. ;D
Haha. Yeah.
It doesn't help that I have a very long memory for text. Maybe what I'm actually waiting for is a day where I feel particularly ruthless so I can tear apart something I created. :P
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Hopefully submitting my story this weekend. Finished it a week ago - just waiting on some feedback from a few people, and sitting on it myself so as to come to it reasonably fresh for a bit of a third edit this weekend.
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Good luck everyone - just over a month left; had some fantastic entries!!!
Faction-Tale starts on 1st June :)
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Only noticed this competition a few days ago. Trying to put together an entry over then next few weeks. So yes I am entering, but not sure how strong the piece will be. ;D
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I've yet to finish mine, I just need to belt myself to a chair and get it done rather then scuttling around forums and wasting time.
But as was mentioned above, getting in the anthology would be a cherry ontop of a very tasty looking cake of fantasy goodness. Can't wait to read the winners stories and the old'pros.
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I've yet to finish mine, I just need to belt myself to a chair and get it done rather then scuttling around forums and wasting time.
Word.
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I sent mine in last week... and the very next night had a stress dream where I opened the file and discovered the first paragraph made absolutely no sense at all. *facepalm*
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I sent mine in last week... and the very next night had a stress dream where I opened the file and discovered the first paragraph made absolutely no sense at all. *facepalm*
That just means you're a real writer. Maybe this one should go in the "You know you're a writer when..." thread 8)
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I plan on entering the contest but I have a question.
The story entered has to be un-published but what about the author? I've had a short story and three flash fictions published - the short I was paid for - does this exclude me entering?
I know some anthologies only want entries from un-published authors.
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I plan on entering the contest but I have a question.
The story entered has to be un-published but what about the author? I've had a short story and three flash fictions published - the short I was paid for - does this exclude me entering?
I know some anthologies only want entries from un-published authors.
You have to have sold over 5,000 copies of your book to be considered a published author. So if you haven't sold that many, then for the purposes of this contest, you are considered unpublished and you're fine.
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I sent mine in last week... and the very next night had a stress dream where I opened the file and discovered the first paragraph made absolutely no sense at all. *facepalm*
That just means you're a real writer. Maybe this one should go in the "You know you're a writer when..." thread 8)
I'm going to print this and show it to my mother. "See, Ma?? I told you I was a real writer!" ;D
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Just sent my entry in. I hope I followed all the right rules.
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Just sent my entry :)
Finally sat down to complete the last revision.
Still managed to get Entry-Plus.
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Woot! I didn't think I'd have anything for this contest, and was really bummed about it. I got an idea out of the blue a couple of days ago, and just finished the first draft tonight. I need to cut several hundred words and give it some polish, then submit this puppy.
I'm going to a writer's workshop with my daughter next week, so I hope to get some quality work done. :)
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Really wished I discovered this contest much earlier. When I first found out about it the deadline was in 30 days, and I've only just finished the first draft now with a lot of frustrating planning I did in between the time (and I went to Vegas for a week around there). I like to sit on my stories for a week before I revise, and I do it again, but I won't have enough time probably.
Oh well no use complaining about it now.
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I'm running into the same trouble many here are having. I've exceeded the maximum word count and now I'm looking to paraphrase a lot of details, though I'm hoping it doesn't hurt my story too much.
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I'm running into the same trouble many here are having. I've exceeded the maximum word count and now I'm looking to paraphrase a lot of details, though I'm hoping it doesn't hurt my story too much.
I know that feeling... ;)
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Just out of curiosity: Will the winning stories be edited, or will they be published as sent?
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Hey Overlord do you guys use a program to calculate word count? And would you be strict with it if it was a little over 8000 words? I finished my story and on wordcounter.net I'm at 7990 words. I checked with other sites and the count varies differently. Some are at 7900 words and there's another where it's only at 7750, pretty big drop off. There's some other sites that show me at over 8000, though only a little bit, at like 8015 or 8050.
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Two days or so before I submit. For whatever reason, my story didn't come to me until the waning moments. I haven't been this nervous in years.
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Hey Overlord do you guys use a program to calculate word count? And would you be strict with it if it was a little over 8000 words? I finished my story and on wordcounter.net I'm at 7990 words. I checked with other sites and the count varies differently. Some are at 7900 words and there's another where it's only at 7750, pretty big drop off. There's some other sites that show me at over 8000, though only a little bit, at like 8015 or 8050.
Yeah, that was brought to our attention earlier. Don't worry about it. If you're a tiny bit over due to a site calculating different, it's okay. :)
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Hey Overlord do you guys use a program to calculate word count? And would you be strict with it if it was a little over 8000 words? I finished my story and on wordcounter.net I'm at 7990 words. I checked with other sites and the count varies differently. Some are at 7900 words and there's another where it's only at 7750, pretty big drop off. There's some other sites that show me at over 8000, though only a little bit, at like 8015 or 8050.
Yeah, that was brought to our attention earlier. Don't worry about it. If you're a tiny bit over due to a site calculating different, it's okay. :)
Thanks!
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Just sent my entry off. Better late, (
and right up on the deadline), than never right?
Good luck to everyone. :)
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Just sent my entry off. Better late, (and right up on the deadline), than never right?
Good luck to everyone. :)
Me too. :)
Good luck to you!
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Hi,
I've just entered. WC is 7955 according to Word and that includes the title and my name. When I started writing I thought I'd struggle to pass 5K, then about halfway through I thought I'd aim for 6500. Then I finished the first draft and it was 8400 so I cut 1000 words from the start and redid it in 300 words. A load of edits later and I submitted it.
I'm looking forward to the Entry Plus criqtiue.
Out of interest, what sites are you using to calculate WC and why would they be different to Word?
Thanks
Matt
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Phew, managed to get my entry in last Saturday afternoon. Now, I heard a rumour of 1200 entries so that makes the odds what? 2001-1? Fingers crossed, and well done everyone who entered.
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I pretty much got in last minute. I had started my short story a few weeks back, but I've been really busy and doing overtime at work, so tired as well. I had tried to set aside some time, but in the end, I realised I was at around 6000 words and no where near wrapping up. I remember that I had 2 and half hours to go and I thought "I just can't whittle this down and finish this in time".
So I had a bit of an emo bitch fit on my Facebook page about how I was quitting and how rubbish I am...but Moriko, my character, had other ideas. A combination of her wanting to be written, me hating quitting, and some very encouraging words form a good friend lead to me doing some super intense power-writing for the next 2 hours. I had to keep jumping back and looking for any redundant sentences that could be culled just to make room for an ending.
I think I had 19 minutes left to proof read, so I only proof read the new material. I managed to bring in an open ending, at 7992 words. Then I submitted everything, and waited for a confirmation email. After I got the email, the timer was at 46 seconds!
Talk about the skin of my teeth! I'm sure that I won't win...its not that it wasn't a bad entry, but the pace of the ending was significantly different to the beginning, which had started off quite relaxed and leisurely. But still, that was most the exhiliarting and intense writing session I have ever experienced, even my English exams don't compare to it! And even if I don't win, I know now that I CAN get it finished, and I can finish the job :D
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Does this sound familiar to anyone?
I just gave my submission a re-read through and found about a bazillion mistakes. Mostly to do with tense. All tidied up, and it would probably make a much better entry now, but ah well. At least I got an entry in on time.
Overall I'm quite pleased with the story I submitted, which is very rare for me.
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Does this sound familiar to anyone?
I just gave my submission a re-read through and found about a bazillion mistakes. Mostly to do with tense. All tidied up, and it would probably make a much better entry now, but ah well. At least I got an entry in on time.
Overall I'm quite pleased with the story I submitted, which is very rare for me.
I wouldn't worry 'too much'. We know that you are human and are looking for a fantastic story and memorable characters foremost. Language and grammar are a part of it - but we do realise that our job, as Editors, is to help those we choose and correct any errors that appear in their work :)
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Good to know.
It is always annoying finding mistakes, especially when it is for a competition, but good to know you'll be looking past minor errors to the story itself!
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Does this sound familiar to anyone?
I just gave my submission a re-read through and found about a bazillion mistakes. Mostly to do with tense. All tidied up, and it would probably make a much better entry now, but ah well. At least I got an entry in on time.
Overall I'm quite pleased with the story I submitted, which is very rare for me.
I wouldn't worry 'too much'. We know that you are human and are looking for a fantastic story and memorable characters foremost. Language and grammar are a part of it - but we do realise that our job, as Editors, is to help those we choose and correct any errors that appear in their work :)
Good to know. Especially for those of us whose mother tongue isn't English. There are mistakes a native will spot immediately, which I only find (if I find them) when I read the story a few times with high concentration...