Science Fiction Microstory Contest discussion
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Jot Russell
AUGUST 2017 MICROSTORY CONTEST - COMMENTS ONLY
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The new novel is called "Perpetual Words of Hatred" and will be out in the next month. I have a lot of space on the book cover and am looking for two or three critiques to include there. Justin Sewall is already reading through the novel to see if he would like to provide one. For the two or three who do, I'd like to have them sign it as:
Name
Author of XXX
At the bottom of the back cover, I have the quick promotion:
In the world of science fiction,
hatred's perpetual nature is no longer
bound by the linear mandate of time,
nor the destructive consequence of
blind, corruptive, ambition.
Not finalized on this promotion and would love feedback.
My story is up. I hope you enjoy it and feel free to critique it of course.
Jot wrote: "Just finished yet another proof read of my novel based on the contest winning story, Tempest Fugit (the time travel story based on 9/11). Actually, this is first based on a 10K word short that I wr..."Sounds like a very interesting and cerebral project, Jot. As a promotional blurb, my initial reaction is that that passage might be a bit too cerebral. Something a bit more direct, perhaps? I don't know what target audience you're aiming for, but perhaps a more streamlined blurb might be in order?
Maybe something like: "When science transcends time and space, will there be any limit to the destructive power of hatred?"
Mod
Mod
Thrilling blurb, Jot, and good points, Tom. I guess I was looking at it more in terms of (using the style of the original but going for the tautness Tom has brought up) something like this:In the world of TITLE OF BOOK or NAME OF PLANET/SPACE OF THE STORY;S ACTION,
hatred is no longer bound by time['s linearity], nor a destructive consequence of ambition. Instead, riding the darkened coils of vengeance out of the wasting horror of his father's--and world's--annihilation, Richard Lion-Bone races to the rescue of (blah-blah). . . --or something of the sort.
Just another suggestion for you, Jot. But Tom's is terrific.
Mod
Of course you are still finding grammatical issues--and/or spelling issues--and/or typos--Jot; it's a never-ending process, editing and copyediting and proofreading. For anyone, there is always another minor glitch one just hadn't noticed!
Jot wrote: "Oh, BTW, my story is up. Also, a little dark in nature. My apologies."Never apologize for being dark, Jot.
Paula wrote: "Of course you are still finding grammatical issues--and/or spelling issues--and/or typos--Jot; it's a never-ending process, editing and copyediting and proofreading. For anyone, there is always ano..."Well-said, Paula. (That's what editors and writer's groups are for.)
Jot wrote: "Oh, BTW, my story is up. Also, a little dark in nature. My apologies."You wrote a very good story and you were considerate about a very serious issue. I want to call your story `powerful´ and `hopeful´. Good job.
FYI, not participating this month. Off to Ireland.Also: Any word on anthology 4? I thought beginning of August was the drop date. Just curious. :)
Mod
Not sure when the book is coming out yet. Will ask Carrol for an ETA. And have a great time in Ireland, Marianne. Just went there a couple weeks ago. Always love it there.
Thanks! :) Going for the music festival in Ennis.
Have a good trip, Marianne! Jot, thank you for the nice compliments.
Just got mine done. Wanted to have fun and have a different viewpoint. This contest keeps me writing, even if only once a month. Been working 60+ works/week, so sometimes my stories are a little weak, but it keeps me in words.
The following rules are from Jot Russell, moderator for this contest:
To help polish our skills and present a flavour of our art to other members in the group, I am continuing this friendly contest for those who would like to participate. There is no money involved, but there is also no telling what a little recognition and respect might generate. The rules are simple:
1) The story needs to be your own work and should be posted on the goodreads (GR) Discussion board, which is a public group. You maintain responsibility and ownership of your work to do with as you please. You may withdraw your story at any time.
2) The stories must be 750 words or less.
3) The stories have to be science fiction, follow a specific theme and potentially include reference to items as requested by the prior month's contest winner.
4) You have until midnight EST on the 22nd day of the month to post your story to the GR Science Fiction Microstory Contest discussion. One story per author per month.
5) After, anyone from the LI Sci-Fi group or the GR Science Fiction Microstory Discussion group has until midnight EST of the 25th day of the month to send me a single private vote (via GR or to author.jotrussell@gmail.com) for a story other than their own. This vote will be made public once voting is closed. Voting is required. If you do not vote, your story will be disqualified from the contest. You don't need a qualifying story to cast a vote, but must offer the reason for your vote if you don’t have an entry.
6) To win, a story needs at least half of the votes, or be the only one left after excluding those with the fewest votes. Runoffs will be run each day until a winner is declared. Stories with vote totals that add up to at least half, discarding those with the fewest votes, will be carried forward to the next runoff election. Prior votes will be carried forward to support runoff stories. If you voted for a story that did not make it into the runoff, you need to vote again before midnight EST of that day. Only people who voted in the initial round may vote in the runoffs.
7) Please have all posts abide by the rules of GR and the LI Sci-Fi group.
8) For each month, there will be three discussion threads:
a) Stories - For the stories and the contest results only.
b) Comments - For discussions about the stories and contest. Constructive criticism is okay, but please avoid any spoilers about the stories or degrading comments directed towards any individuals. If you want to suggest a change to the contest, feel free to start a discussion about the idea before making a formal motion. If another member seconds a motion, a vote can be held. I will abstain from voting, but will require a strong two-thirds majority to override my veto.
c) Critiques - Each member can provide at most one critique per story, with a single rebuttal by the author to thank the critic and/or comment to offer the readers the mind set of the story to account for issues raised by the critique. Critiques should be of a professional and constructive manner. Feel free to describe elements that you do and don't like, as these help us gain a better perspective of our potential readers. Remarks deemed inflammatory or derogatory will be flagged and/or removed by the moderator.
9) The winner has THREE days after the start of the new month to make a copy of these rules and post a new contest thread using the theme/items of their choosing. Otherwise, I will post the new contest threads.
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This month's theme:
Alien Invasion
Required Elements:
1) Castigation
2) Mastication