Science Fiction Microstory Contest discussion
OCTOBER 2024 SCIENCE FICTION MICROSTORY CONTEST (Comments Only)
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Good theme. (One the real world should give more thought to.)
Not sure where to post this, but . . . is Goodreads now requiring the posting of those ugly ad banners at the top of groups' pages/sections? They detract, and insistently.
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If you go to the group (before selecting a discussion) it appears above the Microstory Contest banner. I just scrolled past it and didn't notice. At least it is not like a mapping tool I use where 80% of the screen is covered in persistent ads and I have to screen shoot and enlarge to read the map.So, it's not that bad and it could be worse.
Agreed, Greg. I've had to deal with that on a couple of sites I use for edit-jobs information. No, the one on this group's site is just a high-up banner on the opening/landing page and not terrible.Greg wrote: "If you go to the group (before selecting a discussion) it appears above the Microstory Contest banner. I just scrolled past it and didn't notice. At least it is not like a mapping tool I use where ..."
Jot wrote: "Not sure what you mean. I'm guessing it is an advertisement banner you are seeing?"Yes, it is, Jot. It's no big problem, anyhow. (Tonight's is a big banner for a Koontz novel across the page top, takes up 20 or 25percent of the page, is all.) See Greg's comment, below, and my reply there.
FYI: the public radio program Selected Shorts, where actors read published short stories, is having their annual listener submission contest. Submit a short story and if it wins it will be read on the air. The word limit is, guess what, 750 words! The deadline is March 7, 2025, and you can submit as many stories as you like but there's a $25 entry fee (ugh) for each one. They don't shy away from sci-fi because on today's show Stephen Colbert read Bradbury's The Veldt. They also do a lot of fantasy/magical realism. Aside from the $1,000 prize, this is a great opportunity for exposure. More info here:https://www.symphonyspace.org/selecte...
Thank you so much for sharing this info with us, J.F. !
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I hope your home--and your family--are all right, Jot.
Interesting story, Tom. Maybe build it out more, certainly into a full-length story, maybe even into a novella/novel.
Thank you for the encouragement, Paula. I'll certainly consider it.(My novella "Star Dancer" touches on similar themes.)
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I did enjoy it, Jot. Good use of virtual reality. The underworld vibe was effective, too.As for weather...unseasonably warm now...70's in October. I couldn't believe how crowded the streets and parks were today.
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Very potent story, Justin. Ominous foreboding building up to nail-biting suspense. Really held my attention right to the end.
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Greg wrote: "Got mine in. Fun twist on an old idea."I liked it very much. The closing line was perfect. The down home goodness of it reminded me a little of Bradbury.
Good stories this month. Strong imagery all 'round.
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Tom wrote: "Very potent story, Justin. Ominous foreboding building up to nail-biting suspense. Really held my attention right to the end."Thanks Tom, much appreciated! I'm glad you felt the suspense held your attention. Since there was not much action, I really needed that to move the story forward. The basic idea was, of course, a select few from some overpopulated place would get solitary confinement either as a reward or punishment or both. We usually feel that solitary confinement is a cruel punishment whereas here I wanted it to be a reward or an escape/oasis from the masses.
sorry missed voting a bit too much other tasks to catch up on the last few days.
Is anyone else not getting Goodreads email notifications anymore? I used to get notified if there was an update to the group, but now it's just nothing.
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Element: Education