NYC Flash Fiction ... Entry deadline
For you short story writers out there looking for a challenge - check this out:
http://www.nycmidnight.com/Competitions/FFC/Challenge.htm
I signed up last year, and again this year. If you have any questions just ask.
Salud
http://www.nycmidnight.com/Competitions/FFC/Challenge.htm
I signed up last year, and again this year. If you have any questions just ask.
Salud
VulgarMustache said:$45? Seems a bit steep, but it might be a fun experience.
The price tag is a bit much, but what I like about it versus other contests and publishers who charge "reading fees" is that they offer some pretty comprehensive feedback on anything and everything submitted ... And you know exactly where you stand throughout the competition.
I've submitted to publishers and months later they'll send a form letter saying thanks for submitting but with over 800 submissions they were only able to take 20 for a given journal. In the end I don't know if my worked finished at 26 or 726, and what the judges did or didn't like in my work.
If you like the pressure of a fast paced comp ... Dive in!
Think of those days in high school or college when you'd smash out a 10 or 15 page paper in two nights because you spent the four weeks prior bullshitting ... But still got an "A"
The price tag is a bit much, but what I like about it versus other contests and publishers who charge "reading fees" is that they offer some pretty comprehensive feedback on anything and everything submitted ... And you know exactly where you stand throughout the competition.
I've submitted to publishers and months later they'll send a form letter saying thanks for submitting but with over 800 submissions they were only able to take 20 for a given journal. In the end I don't know if my worked finished at 26 or 726, and what the judges did or didn't like in my work.
If you like the pressure of a fast paced comp ... Dive in!
Think of those days in high school or college when you'd smash out a 10 or 15 page paper in two nights because you spent the four weeks prior bullshitting ... But still got an "A"
Anonymous
i would love to do this, but don't have the extra money at the moment. stupid starving artist syndrome!
Okay ... So this is what I got hit with Friday night at 12:03 AM: Category - Romance ... Place - Supermarket ... Object - Digital Camera
1,000 word story submitted by 11:59 PM Sunday (48 hour turnaround)...
29 writers writing in 48 different categories (about 1400 worldwide) - top five in each category advance after judging of the first two rounds.
Right now I'm just trying to stay away from the cliche ... Some shy forlorn guy in love with a cashier or the stressed out mom infatuated with the guy in the butcher shop and the way he handles the meat (I think I saw that in a porn video once or was that Alice & Sam the butcher of "Brady Bunch" fame) ... They'll be at least 15 stories in my category like that ...
Okay I need pancakes & bacon ... My timing was for shit last night at the gym and my coach made me pay for it. I showered and passed out on the couch ... No dinner, yeah that kind of tired lol
Salud
p.s. I skipped the pancakes
... Oatmeal instead, PoetSpeak would approve
1,000 word story submitted by 11:59 PM Sunday (48 hour turnaround)...
29 writers writing in 48 different categories (about 1400 worldwide) - top five in each category advance after judging of the first two rounds.
Right now I'm just trying to stay away from the cliche ... Some shy forlorn guy in love with a cashier or the stressed out mom infatuated with the guy in the butcher shop and the way he handles the meat (I think I saw that in a porn video once or was that Alice & Sam the butcher of "Brady Bunch" fame) ... They'll be at least 15 stories in my category like that ...
Okay I need pancakes & bacon ... My timing was for shit last night at the gym and my coach made me pay for it. I showered and passed out on the couch ... No dinner, yeah that kind of tired lol
Salud
p.s. I skipped the pancakes
... Oatmeal instead, PoetSpeak would approve Bump and update ... I got the results of my first round entry.
Scoring is done on a scaled basis ... 1st place = 15 points ... 2nd place = 14 points ... 3rd place = 13 points, etc.
The second part of the first round is this weekend and the five top aggregate scores advance to the semi-finals.
I scored 15 points (1st place) on my first write (found out at 130 AM via email) ... But to my way of thinking that doesn't mean shit if I choke out a total piece of crap come Sunday night. Not casting self doubt, more like I know I can't take the 15 points for granted.
I've read some solid books on writing flash fiction, and collections of flash fiction over the summer ...
But more importantly ... MANY THANKS to those of you who read and commented on my first piece. It helped me focus in on the flaws of my writing in general, and I'd like to think I'm a better "writer" for it.
Okay ... I've got a double session at the gym today and tomorrow ... I don't workout as much as I get worked over by these brutes 20 years my junior ...
... some 420 to soothe my aches Friday night, and by 11:59 PM I'll get my second assignment, and then it's 48 hours of cursing & fighting with myself ... Wouldn't have it any other way.
Scoring is done on a scaled basis ... 1st place = 15 points ... 2nd place = 14 points ... 3rd place = 13 points, etc.
The second part of the first round is this weekend and the five top aggregate scores advance to the semi-finals.
I scored 15 points (1st place) on my first write (found out at 130 AM via email) ... But to my way of thinking that doesn't mean shit if I choke out a total piece of crap come Sunday night. Not casting self doubt, more like I know I can't take the 15 points for granted.
I've read some solid books on writing flash fiction, and collections of flash fiction over the summer ...
But more importantly ... MANY THANKS to those of you who read and commented on my first piece. It helped me focus in on the flaws of my writing in general, and I'd like to think I'm a better "writer" for it.
Okay ... I've got a double session at the gym today and tomorrow ... I don't workout as much as I get worked over by these brutes 20 years my junior ...
... some 420 to soothe my aches Friday night, and by 11:59 PM I'll get my second assignment, and then it's 48 hours of cursing & fighting with myself ... Wouldn't have it any other way.
fair play, man. I've never tried that kinda thing. entered a national comp once, got a shitty one line knock back. thought, fuck you and your comp and moved on about five weeks later when the feelings of being a shitty writer ebbed away.
you're getting plenty of experience with different comps and such that require sending entries to strangers. when you have time, I wonder if you could throw out a bit of advice to aspiring comp enter-ers
you're getting plenty of experience with different comps and such that require sending entries to strangers. when you have time, I wonder if you could throw out a bit of advice to aspiring comp enter-ers
lepperochan said:fair play, man. I've never tried that kinda thing. entered a national comp once, got a shitty one line knock back. thought, fuck you and your comp and moved on about five weeks later when the feelings of being a shitty writer ebbed away.
you're getting plenty of experience with different comps and such that require sending entries to strangers. when you have time, I wonder if you could throw out a bit of advice to aspiring comp enter-ers
Experience, yes. ... But I'm still learning ... The most frustrating events to enter are the ones you've sweated for - submitted a fee and months later you don't hear a peep .., outside of who won (not me).
My feeling is if you've taken my $20 - $25 at least give me some feedback on the submitted work ... Preferably something more than "we didn't like it" ...
While NYC FF entry fees are hefty you'll get solid feedback on your work; although some writers complain they want more (can't please everyone) ...
My advice ... 1) Submit to those journals or contests that have no fees or a modest one ... This doesn't guarantee feedback but at least you don't feel hosed if you don't hear anything outside of you didn't win
2. Try to submit to contests that have a specific "theme" or subject. With the contests or publications that are come one - come all there's just no telling what the judges or publishers want ...
3. Don't submit to everything ... Target a few publications or contests and hone your skills to get in (published) ...
Hope that helps ...
I wanted to respond earlier lep, but I was waiting to get back my NYC FF feedback to post it in this thread as an example ...
As you'll see the judges viewpoints varied greatly ...
you're getting plenty of experience with different comps and such that require sending entries to strangers. when you have time, I wonder if you could throw out a bit of advice to aspiring comp enter-ers
Experience, yes. ... But I'm still learning ... The most frustrating events to enter are the ones you've sweated for - submitted a fee and months later you don't hear a peep .., outside of who won (not me).
My feeling is if you've taken my $20 - $25 at least give me some feedback on the submitted work ... Preferably something more than "we didn't like it" ...
While NYC FF entry fees are hefty you'll get solid feedback on your work; although some writers complain they want more (can't please everyone) ...
My advice ... 1) Submit to those journals or contests that have no fees or a modest one ... This doesn't guarantee feedback but at least you don't feel hosed if you don't hear anything outside of you didn't win
2. Try to submit to contests that have a specific "theme" or subject. With the contests or publications that are come one - come all there's just no telling what the judges or publishers want ...
3. Don't submit to everything ... Target a few publications or contests and hone your skills to get in (published) ...
Hope that helps ...
I wanted to respond earlier lep, but I was waiting to get back my NYC FF feedback to post it in this thread as an example ...
As you'll see the judges viewpoints varied greatly ...
The story, as submitted (errors et al) ...
http://deepundergroundpoetry.com/poems/213203-serving-time/
The feedback from the judges on your Flash Fiction Challenge 2015 story from Challenge #1 is below. We hope you find the feedback helpful and thanks for your patience!
''Serving Time'' by LSP - WHAT THE JUDGE(S) LIKED ABOUT YOUR STORY - ............Fun story, good humor. I like the banter and the easy way the characters relate to each other. You handle that well and show a familiarity with the characters' inner motivations, too. Well done. ...What a sweet story. I love how you lead me into thinking the woman was selfish, only to turn it around. Nice going.........................VERY smoothly written Robin Hood redux. LOVE the poetic opening line and want that romantic tone cast over the whole story. Enjoyed the examples of Brazilian, Cuban vanity. The backstory on Marco was very deftly sketched while being wonderfully revelatory! ..........................................…........................ WHAT THE JUDGES FEEL NEEDS WORK - ............The ending is not entirely convincing. I can see it feels clever to come back to the metaphor of the girl, but in this case because the narrator is established as such a strong person it does not quite feel right -- a little forced, a little too cute for this person. But I do like that the kiss is light and gentle -- good restraint shown there, and it fits with the character. That is well done, too. ...It would be nice to give a set-up. Where are we? Who else is there? What time of day or night is it? What is Gallia thinking/worrying about? (Where is her eleven year old daughter?) The story flows pretty smoothly once we get going. It would be nice, though, to know how she supports herself and daughter. If there is family around. What she sees in this man. The ending is a little confusing. I'd like to know if he's really a cop or just bought the badge on the internet. ........................The synopsis is a tad off and needs reworking: It's unclear what “same thing” “someone” wants...her talent, her help? And besides, both are off the mark as Marco wants romance! “Shaved Brussel Sprouts” and “sahved asparagus” is one “shaved” too many, as it makes him seem an unimaginative chef. While I LOVE that Marco embodies the “wink” foreshadowed earlier, I suggest you tie that into the Moon reference more romantically.......….........................................................
http://deepundergroundpoetry.com/poems/213203-serving-time/
The feedback from the judges on your Flash Fiction Challenge 2015 story from Challenge #1 is below. We hope you find the feedback helpful and thanks for your patience!
''Serving Time'' by LSP - WHAT THE JUDGE(S) LIKED ABOUT YOUR STORY - ............Fun story, good humor. I like the banter and the easy way the characters relate to each other. You handle that well and show a familiarity with the characters' inner motivations, too. Well done. ...What a sweet story. I love how you lead me into thinking the woman was selfish, only to turn it around. Nice going.........................VERY smoothly written Robin Hood redux. LOVE the poetic opening line and want that romantic tone cast over the whole story. Enjoyed the examples of Brazilian, Cuban vanity. The backstory on Marco was very deftly sketched while being wonderfully revelatory! ..........................................…........................ WHAT THE JUDGES FEEL NEEDS WORK - ............The ending is not entirely convincing. I can see it feels clever to come back to the metaphor of the girl, but in this case because the narrator is established as such a strong person it does not quite feel right -- a little forced, a little too cute for this person. But I do like that the kiss is light and gentle -- good restraint shown there, and it fits with the character. That is well done, too. ...It would be nice to give a set-up. Where are we? Who else is there? What time of day or night is it? What is Gallia thinking/worrying about? (Where is her eleven year old daughter?) The story flows pretty smoothly once we get going. It would be nice, though, to know how she supports herself and daughter. If there is family around. What she sees in this man. The ending is a little confusing. I'd like to know if he's really a cop or just bought the badge on the internet. ........................The synopsis is a tad off and needs reworking: It's unclear what “same thing” “someone” wants...her talent, her help? And besides, both are off the mark as Marco wants romance! “Shaved Brussel Sprouts” and “sahved asparagus” is one “shaved” too many, as it makes him seem an unimaginative chef. While I LOVE that Marco embodies the “wink” foreshadowed earlier, I suggest you tie that into the Moon reference more romantically.......….........................................................
My METS! are in the WORLD SERIES ... And I made it to the semi final round of NYC FF. The pool started with 1400 writers globally and got cut down to 240 tonight. I'll get my writing assignment Friday night and have a 48 hour window to complete it.
If you're out this weekend - please hoist a pint or shot for me. I'll be pissing and bleeding ink this weekend.
Salud
If you're out this weekend - please hoist a pint or shot for me. I'll be pissing and bleeding ink this weekend.
Salud
