Wanting to Do Well But Not Win...?

[amyhg]

I'm having an identity crisis this quarter. I've submitted my piece for Q3, and I think it has a good chance of going far, but I actually don't want it to place. My reasoning is that the style I wrote it in is not the style I want people to associate me with. There's nothing wrong with it -- just straight-forward YA fantasy -- but I love to write more poetically. I feel like I've submitted a Garth Nix piece while what I want to be known for is Patrick Rothfuss or Pierce Brown.

Anyone else felt this way about a submission? Are my feelings even reasonable? They're based on the assumption that WOTF winners are defined by their winning pieces. Is that the case?

Thoughts, anyone?

P.S. And truthfully, if this piece did win, I'd still be ecstatic. :p

[kentagions]

I know what you're saying. Name recognition is a big part of marketing. Becoming known through WotF for YA Fantasy might appear to shut the door on that amyhg High Fantasy writer clambering to get out.

However, once he'd become known for horror, do you suppose Stephen King used his real name or Richard Bachman in his pitch letters?

[hlreinhold]

I feel a little like this. I'd prefer to win (and be associated) with SF rather than fantasy, yet my last entry was fantasy and (in my opinion) not written in my 'ideal style' (whatever that is). But I think the plot was a lot smoother, and the piece might have a better chance than some of my recent SF stories. So I feel somewhat in two minds about it.

But I don't honestly think that which piece you win with matters in the long run. If you keep writing and if your writing keeps improving, your future work should overshadow any WotF winning story anyway. I think it's best to just submit the strongest piece you've got each quarter, regardless of genre or style.

[Dustin Adams]

I have felt the same way.
I like some stories better than others, but if I submit them, I want to win with them. Eyes on the prize, and all that. Whatever it takes to get me to LA. Plus, I've never disliked a story I've submitted.
Of all my submissions, the one I most wish won was my first finalist. Perhaps no coincidence that it scored higher than all my other submissions...

[MattDovey]

You'll only be defined by your winning piece if you allow yourself to be, continuing to write only in the way that you won with. I won with a fantasy, but that's not stopped me selling sci-fi. It's short fiction, so everyone expects range and variety anyway--and with WotF in particular, it's categorically for beginners. You should be growing and evolving past this publication. Besides, ain't no Writing Police gonna come knocking on your door if you change your style or approach

[disgruntledpeony]

You'll only be defined by your winning piece if you allow yourself to be, continuing to write only in the way that you won with. I won with a fantasy, but that's not stopped me selling sci-fi. It's short fiction, so everyone expects range and variety anyway--and with WotF in particular, it's categorically for beginners. You should be growing and evolving past this publication. Besides, ain't no Writing Police gonna come knocking on your door if you change your style or approach

Well said, sir.

[amyhg]

What everyone's said makes sense. I don't have much experience in the business of publishing, but I"m assuming being professionally published says a lot to editors about my ability. Then they can judge if that ability extends to their niche by reading the submission.

For some reason I was thinking of it the opposite way, that publishers would come looking for me because they'd seen what I published and wanted something like it. Does that even happen?

[disgruntledpeony]

What everyone's said makes sense. I don't have much experience in the business of publishing, but I"m assuming being professionally published says a lot to editors about my ability. Then they can judge if that ability extends to their niche by reading the submission.

For some reason I was thinking of it the opposite way, that publishers would come looking for me because they'd seen what I published and wanted something like it. Does that even happen?

If it does, it's rare. It's possible it used to happen, but doesn't anymore. From everything I've read, the market seems to be oversaturated.

[MattDovey]

What everyone's said makes sense. I don't have much experience in the business of publishing, but I"m assuming being professionally published says a lot to editors about my ability. Then they can judge if that ability extends to their niche by reading the submission.

For some reason I was thinking of it the opposite way, that publishers would come looking for me because they'd seen what I published and wanted something like it. Does that even happen?

It happens, but only once you're well known and accomplished enough. To illustrate what I mean by "well known and accomplished", I've not yet had any secret anthology invites or garnered any special market access, and I'm up to 16 sales now in the last 20 months, 12 of them originals at pro rates, and I'm a member of two writing groups, on staff at a pro magazine and an occasional (and admittedly new) narrator for podcasts. We're talking Ken Liu, Aliette de Bodard sort of levels--so don't worry about it for now :D

[Dustin Adams]

... (and admittedly new) narrator for podcasts.

Dude, I could listen to you narrate a dictionary.
You, and James Earl Jones.
I'm ready.

Webster.

[MattDovey]

... (and admittedly new) narrator for podcasts.

Dude, I could listen to you narrate a dictionary.
You, and James Earl Jones.
I'm ready.

Webster.

Whereas for my money, I reckon Tina Connolly could make me cry reading the dictionary. Zyzzogeton she'd whisper, and tears would roll down my face.

I may be biased after my Escape Pod story recently, but everybody--everybody--should listen to her narration of Carnival Nine at Beneath Ceaseless Skies.

[hlreinhold]

I may be biased after my Escape Pod story recently, but everybody--everybody--should listen to her narration of Carnival Nine at Beneath Ceaseless Skies.

I agree. She's done a wonderful job of bringing both these stories to life. Listen, people!

[ImaWriter]

In my opinion, if you are fortunate enough (and lucky enough) to win: gift horse... mouth... blah, blah, blah.

[KathiLS]

... (and admittedly new) narrator for podcasts.

Dude, I could listen to you narrate a dictionary.
You, and James Earl Jones.
I'm ready.

Webster.

And Sam Elliot.