Contest Eligibility

[Ishmael]

Some people may be interested in my recent correspondence with Joni regarding eligibility.

I thought I was getting close to pro'ing out, having sold three short stories at pro rates (as well as three flash pieces at pro rates, which apparently don't count at all.)

She says in fact that the clause is interpreted to mean sales to SFWA qualifying markets, not others that pay pro rates. Moreover, a market that becomes SFWA after they published you doesn't count either.

I read that as being considerably stricter than the SFWA itself, but then I suppose the SFWA wants to recruit new members and WotF doesn't want to lose veteran contestants.

The SFWA's qualification page lists several defunct publications and doesn't list some new pro-payers.

Flame Tree qualified after they published me and Cosmic Roots hasn't yet qualified.

It looks as though only my 2014 story in AE (Spatchcock) actually counts! Joni's the boss. Who am I to argue?

[amoskalik]

Some people may be interested in my recent correspondence with Joni regarding eligibility.

I thought I was getting close to pro'ing out, having sold three short stories at pro rates (as well as three flash pieces at pro rates, which apparently don't count at all.)

She says in fact that the clause is interpreted to mean sales to SFWA qualifying markets, not others that pay pro rates. Moreover, a market that becomes SFWA after they published you doesn't count either.

I read that as being considerably stricter than the SFWA itself, but then I suppose the SFWA wants to recruit new members and WotF doesn't want to lose veteran contestants.

The SFWA's qualification page lists several defunct publications and doesn't list some new pro-payers.

Flame Tree qualified after they published me and Cosmic Roots hasn't yet qualified.

It looks as though only my 2014 story in AE (Spatchcock) actually counts! Joni's the boss. Who am I to argue?

Great news! So it is possible to be in SFWA and still be eligible for the contest.

[MattDovey]

I think the rule is that if you query Joni, you're still eligible. She moves heaven and earth to keep people in!

[J'nae Rae]

Good information to know!!!

Thanks for letting us know what Joni said.

J'nae

[Ember]

That's great news Ishmael!

I was sad to think we wouldn't be seeing you around the boards.

The best of both worlds, really: lots of pro sales and continued contest eligibility

[KristyEmber]

Ishmael, I just wanted to say thanks for posting the link to SFWA approved markets.

I just thought I'd accidentally pro'd out of the contest, but I checked the list and am still in.

Re the contest rule that those with "more than three publications" are ineligible: a friend interprets this as 4 publications being ineligible, but when I queried, Joni seemed pretty certain that equalling 3 was out.

[Dustin Adams]

I believe it's "upon publication of your 4th (dis)qualifying pro pub".

Not your 3rd. This is an important distinction, and I'd say worth a follow up e-mail.

If you sub on Dec 31, and your 4th pro story is pubbed Jan 1, that entry counts, but you can not sub on Jan 2.
Again, this is my understanding.

[MattDovey]

Just seconding everything Dustin says above.

Also: Joni doesn't count flash. And Joni counts flash as anything <1.5k, I think (might even be 2k to be honest; something ludicrously generous, anyway)

[disgruntledpeony]

5. The Contest is open only to those who have not professionally published a novel or short novel, or more than one novelette, or more than three short stories, in any medium. Professional publication is deemed to be payment of at least six cents per word, and at least 5,000 copies, or 5,000 hits.

The rules as written say it is, in fact, the 4th pro sale that disqualifies you.