Science Fiction Microstory Contest discussion
* MARCH 2018 MICROSTORY CONTEST - COMMENTS ONLY
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Hello everyone,As you may know I'm now into producing Amazon audio books. I've created a Facebook page with links to some samples on SoundCloud. I hope you'll give them a listen!
https://www.facebook.com/justinsewall...
Yes. I do like it. I wanted to dial "0" the whole time!!!!!
Hi C, liked the story but it is science fact rather than science fiction. I say, send it to any number of publications; it has wide appeal.
Hi Kalifer,I beg to differ. This is absolutely science fiction, as it reflects an AI natural language technology which is not quite fact yet, but will be soon. Currently, companies have people reading off menu-driven scripts doing pretty much the same job, but as soon as companies dare to substitute lower cost and fully automated software-driven systems, there will be lots of out-of-work telemarketers here and in India, and life will be much as described.
-C
I agree that companies haven't implemented this yet but current AI is quite capable of this level of response. Some chat-bots have far better responses but still lack human level sophistication although, I know some humans that are far worse conversationalists. I guess my point is, we are at or even a tad beyond your story's level but that isn't good enough for prime time.
Justin wrote: "Hello everyone,As you may know I'm now into producing Amazon audio books. I've created a Facebook page with links to some samples on SoundCloud. I hope you'll give them a listen!
https://www.fa..."
Nice page, Justin. My compliments.
Yours too, Tom.Along with all the usual good stuff I really liked the pacing in this one! : )
Tom wrote: "Justin wrote: "Hello everyone,As you may know I'm now into producing Amazon audio books. I've created a Facebook page with links to some samples on SoundCloud. I hope you'll give them a listen!
..."
Thanks Tom, much appreciated! Scary story!!
My second audiobook went live this weekend!https://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Bitc...
Now I have to work my way through this 600 page fantasy novel... that's gonna take awhile...
Just checked the rules: One story per author per month. I had two AI's heading in very different directions, one in the very new future battling a human protagonist and a one in the far future battle to bring its crew back home. I think Vinnie and his Trans AM are gonna win this race...
Greg wrote: "Just checked the rules: One story per author per month. I had two AI's heading in very different directions, one in the very new future battling a human protagonist and a one in the far future batt..."You could combine the two and say the latter AI was the descendant of the former...?
Done! Vinnie's story won out. It was a fun one to write and I hope it is as fun to read.Critiques are welcome!
I'm out of town right now but was able to pound something out. So, mine's up. Hope you like it! :)
Chris wrote: "I'm out of town right now but was able to pound something out. So, mine's up. Hope you like it! :)"I did.
Mod
Good story Jot!Mine has been posted as well.
I've been having a hard time coming up with ideas early on. They really have to marinate in my mind for awhile, especially these past several. Maybe it's just because my brain cells are getting further apart...
Been away for awhile due to a heavy workload. Have actually written a few stories but always forget to post on time!! Anyway, as always, had a fun time writing. Thanks for the opp.
I loved the batch of stories this month. A.I. is such a rich topic for sci-fi.
Sorry--had no time between edit jobs to write or even critique-read the stories this month; apologies to you each, as I'm sure these were very much worth reading.
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:
Artificial Intelligence
Required elements:
A job