Discussion: Q3 Volume 36

[Henckel]

I'm taking the same route going with humour. If feels like a sort of gamble, given how subjective it can be.
Anyone else out there going for humour this quarter?

Yes! I am too. At least I hope it is funny. I agree. I think it's risky. They say they want humorous stories but I don't see many in there. I don't think there were any in the last two issues.

Finish those stories! You can do it!

Damn! They're going to be deluged in humour stories and sick of them! But you're right, about a lack of funny stories. I don't recall one in the 6 annuals I have. Though I find very few funny novels around - perhaps I need to find that fabled funny bone before JV gets to it.

Nearly done.

I knew Dave would like to see good humorous stories, but didn't realise how low my chances were. Dang.

Anyway, good luck to my humorous writer friends.

[TimE]

Good luck to you as well, Henckel. May your tickling stick never be free of feathers.

I flicked through a few stories, classed as humour and available for free on the TOR site. Clearly, my SOH is out of alignment with theirs, so perhaps I have no chance in WotF.

[chuckt]

Good luck to you as well, Henckel. May your tickling stick never be free of feathers.

I flicked through a few stories, classed as humour and available for free on the TOR site. Clearly, my SOH is out of alignment with theirs, so perhaps I have no chance in WotF.

Enlighten me. Is the editorial viewpoint at Tor comparable to WotF? Or maybe just because a lot of stuff goes there? I'll have to look. My humor tends to be a bit John Scalzi-like though I am now tamping down the cursing and sex for WotF. (I'm not trying to suggest I'm on John's level--far from it, but I love his writing).

Perhaps we should look for funny stuff in Dave's writings to see what he likes. I read his first Rune Lords book. I don't recall much silliness (if any)?

[TimE]

Good luck to you as well, Henckel. May your tickling stick never be free of feathers.

I flicked through a few stories, classed as humour and available for free on the TOR site. Clearly, my SOH is out of alignment with theirs, so perhaps I have no chance in WotF.

Enlighten me. Is the editorial viewpoint at Tor comparable to WotF? Or maybe just because a lot of stuff goes there? I'll have to look. My humor tends to be a bit John Scalzi-like though I am now tamping down the cursing and sex for WotF. (I'm not trying to suggest I'm on John's level--far from it but I love his writing).

Perhaps we should look for funny stuff in Dave's writings to see what he likes. I read his first Rune Lords book. I don't recall much silliness (if any)?

Sorry, don't know if TOR is comparable in any way. Wondered if maybe it was typical American though. I've read Scalzi's Redshirts. Enjoyed that.

[disgruntledpeony]

Good luck to you as well, Henckel. May your tickling stick never be free of feathers.

I flicked through a few stories, classed as humour and available for free on the TOR site. Clearly, my SOH is out of alignment with theirs, so perhaps I have no chance in WotF.

Do keep in mind that TOR is a different magazine with different editors, and that senses of humor vary from person to person.

[chuckt]

There was one in Vol. 30. I didn't do a big search so I'm sure there are more. "The Pushbike Legion." (Pushbike = bicycle. Silly Brits). About a group of boys and their bikes who ride around wearing bits of junk they imagine is armor. They live in an oasis in the middle of a post-apocalytic earth. The main character is wry and sassy. So, not knee-slapping humor. It's great story. Here's a short snippet:

His mother had been furious. "Your shoes are ruined," she had cried. "We're not made of leather, you know."

"Yes, we are," he'd said, his chin thrust out belligerently as her hand cracked into the side of his head. His ear smarted for days after.

I notice the author gets away with exclamatory dialog tags, and blatant adjectives, but the world is super cool and he can definitely wordsmith. So maybe this is the type of humor that works in the contest?

[TimE]

There was one in Vol. 30. I didn't do a big search so I'm sure there are more. "The Pushbike Legion." (Pushbike = bicycle. Silly Brits). About a group of boys and their bikes who ride around wearing bits of junk they imagine is armor. They live in an oasis in the middle of a post-apocalytic earth. The main character is wry and sassy. So, not knee-slapping humor. It's great story. Here's a short snippet:

His mother had been furious. "Your shoes are ruined," she had cried. "We're not made of leather, you know."

"Yes, we are," he'd said, his chin thrust out belligerently as her hand cracked into the side of his head. His ear smarted for days after.

I notice the author gets away with exclamatory dialog tags, and blatant adjectives, but the world is super cool and he can definitely wordsmith. So maybe this is the type of humor that works in the contest?

Ah, I have Vol 30 and remember this one. I liked it. Didn't recall it being humour. I'm a cyclist and a Brit, don't push the bike much, mind.

[Wulf Moon]

There was one in Vol. 30. I didn't do a big search so I'm sure there are more. "The Pushbike Legion." (Pushbike = bicycle. Silly Brits). About a group of boys and their bikes who ride around wearing bits of junk they imagine is armor. They live in an oasis in the middle of a post-apocalytic earth. The main character is wry and sassy. So, not knee-slapping humor. It's great story. Here's a short snippet:

His mother had been furious. "Your shoes are ruined," she had cried. "We're not made of leather, you know."

"Yes, we are," he'd said, his chin thrust out belligerently as her hand cracked into the side of his head. His ear smarted for days after.

I notice the author gets away with exclamatory dialog tags, and blatant adjectives, but the world is super cool and he can definitely wordsmith. So maybe this is the type of humor that works in the contest?

Not to counter Chuck, but here's my counter to Chuck. While there were a few funny spots in "The Pushbike Legion," I would never classify that story as a humor piece. Humor stories have funny at their core. Often, the entire story leads to the funny punch line, just how a joke works. There is often a nod or wink at the opening, saying, "You all know I'm joking here, right?" Think of Pratchett. From the moment you begin to read, he tells you this is a funny world, get ready for a funny story. I read a lot of Pratchett. I'm reading Lords and Ladies again right now. And here, on top of my TBR box, is Guards! Guards! Note the first page:

"This is where the dragons went....And although the space they occupy isn't like normal space, nevertheless they are packed in tightly....They could put you in mind of a can of sardines, if you thought sardines were huge and scaly and proud and arrogant."

See what he does? He identifies his genre right up front, and serves you a huge scoop of funny with extra sprinkles. It's like a jester jumping up and down, bells on his cap ringing merrily as he picks up a lute. "Hey, there, lords and ladies!" he says in a squeaky voice. "I'm going to sing you a serious song about star-crossed lovers, about death and woe!" You chuckle even before he plucks that first string, because presentation tells you this is going to be nothing of the sort.

That said, "The Pushbike Legion" is excellent, one of my favorite WotF stories, and I believe it was a published finalist. You have good taste, Chuck!

All the beast,

Moon

[chuckt]

Not to counter Chuck, but here's my counter to Chuck. While there were a few funny spots in "The Pushbike Legion," I would never classify that story as a humor piece. Humor stories have funny at their core. Often, the entire story leads to the funny punch line, just how a joke works. There is often a nod or wink at the opening, saying, "You all know I'm joking here, right?" Think of Pratchett. From the moment you begin to read, he tells you this is a funny world, get ready for a funny story. I read a lot of Pratchett. I'm reading Lords and Ladies again right now. And here, on top of my TBR box, is Guards! Guards! Note the first page:

"This is where the dragons went....And although the space they occupy isn't like normal space, nevertheless they are packed in tightly....They could put you in mind of a can of sardines, if you thought sardines were huge and scaly and proud and arrogant."

See what he does? He identifies his genre right up front, and serves you a huge scoop of funny with extra sprinkles. It's like a jester jumping up and down, bells on his cap ringing merrily as he picks up a lute. "Hey, there, lords and ladies!" he says in a squeaky voice. "I'm going to sing you a serious song about star-crossed lovers, about death and woe!" You chuckle even before he plucks that first string, because presentation tells you this is going to be nothing of the sort.

That said, "The Pushbike Legion" is excellent, one of my favorite WotF stories, and I believe it was a published finalist. You have good taste, Chuck!

All the beast,

Moon

Actually gentlemen, we don't disagree. I didn't explain my view of the story well. Yeah. No, not what I would call a funny story. The author just uses a lot of wry dialog. I found myself smiling (not laughing) during the story. It is definitely one of my favorites from recent anthologies. Not a winner? I'm surprised.

So Wulf, are there any "funny" winners or is the wryness of "Pushbike" probably as far as one should go with humour?

I'll have to read some of Pratchett: I love this kind of writing.

I write "thanks Wulf" a lot it seems. :) But I do appreciate your comments.

[jficke13]

Mine in Vol. 34 was humor. What sub-flavor of humor (or whether it was humor*ous* at all), I'll leave to the readers to decide.

[chuckt]

Mine in Vol. 34 was humor. What sub-flavor of humor (or whether it was humor*ous* at all), I'll leave to the readers to decide.

How could I forget! Howler was a terrific humorous story. A little dark humor but I like that. I loved the conflict between the Howler and Human Resources. Dilbert meets the deepest layer of hell. Really well done.

[JVAshley]

Mine in Vol. 34 was humor. What sub-flavor of humor (or whether it was humor*ous* at all), I'll leave to the readers to decide.

I wrote about "The Howler on the Sales Floor" earlier today, but I don't see my post. Maybe I didn't hit submit?
It was Hilarious! Thanks for the story, Ficke!

[BrandieJ]

I only submitted one story I'd consider funny, and it was really more murder mystery with a wacky dose of satire. Earned me an honorable mention.

Also, where do people draw the line between satire and comedy, or is there one? I adore Pratchett, and while I think his work is extremely funny, I also think of it as satire first.

[disgruntledpeony]

I hate to break out the ol' dictionary, but it's the easiest way to clarify things:

comedy
—noun, plural com·e·dies.

a play, movie, etc., of light and humorous character with a happy or cheerful ending; a dramatic work in which the central motif is the triumph over adverse circumstance, resulting in a successful or happy conclusion.
that branch of the drama which concerns itself with this form of composition.
the comic element of drama, of literature generally, or of life.
any literary composition dealing with a theme suitable for comedy, or employing the methods of comedy.
any comic or humorous incident or series of incidents.

satire
—noun

the use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the like, in exposing, denouncing, or deriding vice, folly, etc.
a literary composition, in verse or prose, in which human folly and vice are held up to scorn, derision, or ridicule.
a literary genre comprising such compositions.

And let's not forget parody:

parody
—noun, plural par·o·dies.

a humorous or satirical imitation of a serious piece of literature or writing: ex. his hilarious parody of Hamlet's soliloquy.
the genre of literary composition represented by such imitations.

[TimE]

Mine in Vol. 34 was humor. What sub-flavor of humor (or whether it was humor*ous* at all), I'll leave to the readers to decide.

I don't know why I'm surprised I forgot this - seeing as I have a 2 minute memory.

Definitely funny. Pot shots at HR, IT support, selling, Microsoft and the training that all big companies seem to have. I enjoyed re-reading this. Well done on winning.

[Wulf Moon]

I only submitted one story I'd consider funny, and it was really more murder mystery with a wacky dose of satire. Earned me an honorable mention.

Also, where do people draw the line between satire and comedy, or is there one? I adore Pratchett, and while I think his work is extremely funny, I also think of it as satire first.

Brandie, with Terry Pratchett, he is labeled a satirist, and many of his works fit that label. And many, in my mind, do not. That's the thing about labels--one size DOES NOT fit all. I would argue the label "snarky comedic fantasy" fits his work better, because all of it--whether poking fun at human institutions or not--is funny, and meant to make you laugh. He's also written some beautiful children's stories like The Wee Free Men and The Shepherd's Crown. Everything he has written makes you laugh, but these have some heavy life themes as well.

Might even bring you to tears.

[BrandieJ]

Good points all.

I love the Tiffany Aching series.

[SCAFontaine]

I'm in for Q3.

[zeeteebeez]

In for Q3. Looking forward to twitching with all of you. Good luck to everyone.

[tkunit]

My last submission here was 5 years ago to the date. I think I'll actually be in for this quarter, after a long hiatus.

[disgruntledpeony]

One... more... pass... but not tonight, because good lord, my head feels ready to explode.

I'm so close. I want to finish it. But I also want to produce my best work, and I can't do that with grey matter leaking out my ears.

Will do my best to get the story in tomorrow, because if I don't manage that a couple days of real life obligations will leave me riding awfully close to the deadline.

[Henckel]

My last submission here was 5 years ago to the date. I think I'll actually be in for this quarter, after a long hiatus.

Super good work to all you who've submitted.

And welcome back tkunit!

Come on everyone. Lets rock this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tkunit]

And welcome back tkunit!

Thanks, Henckel. It feels great to be back. A lot of new faces around here, too

[Henckel]

I just submitted my Q3!!!!!!!! Woo Hoo!

[Wulf Moon]

Congratulations for getting your stories in for Q3. You can't win if you aren't in. Keep it up! And if you're feeling like you won't make it, stop that! You can do this! If Dixie can, so can you! "One foot in front of the other..."

All the beast!

Moon

[AVDutson]

So... heh. For some reason, I thought 3rd qtr started on June 1st.

Thankfully, I already had two stories in the pipeline for 3rd & 4th qtr. The podcast REALLY has me jazzed. After binging it, I slowed production on my novels so I could crank out a couple of shorts. I'm planning on indie publishing them but worried about 'pro-ing' out.

[Henckel]

The podcast REALLY has me jazzed.

Likewise. Totally pumped.

[Henckel]

In other news... Do you have any Reccomendations. I'm looking for publisher for my novelette. It got HM last year in Q3. It's 15600 words. Sci Fi. It's an unorthodox love story set in amidst a futuristic jailbreak. An has a unique mind bender of an ending. Complex and poetic.

I'm not fussed about being paid. But really really want this published in hard copy.

I've checked submission grinder and then did general google search on submissions, but nothing really fits... Also, I'm not going to waste my time with analogue, asimov, or magazine of f&sf. I mean the story is good, but not that good.

Any sugestions? Otherwise I'll resort to self publishing.... And have the same 11 people buy it as my last self published story (thanks mom)

[LDWriter2]

I finally finished my story. Still needs some revising. I did some while I connected two parts. Not as long as many I have submitted but still respectable. Longer than I thought it would be.

And since I still am forgetting to come here what podcast?

[Helge Mahrt]

I've checked submission grinder and then did general google search on submissions, but nothing really fits... Also, I'm not going to waste my time with analogue, asimov, or magazine of f&sf. I mean the story is good, but not that good.

Don't self-reject. I recommend you start with the highest paying market, where your story fits, and then work your way down. That way you don't lose out on an opportunity to earn more / reach a wider audience. If you read this forum, you'll notice that there are some people who sold their HMs to PRO markets.
Good luck!