I don’t mind a good rejection. I think I got used to rejection many years ago while single and dating. As a writer who submits stories for contests, publications, etc., you have to be ready to accept rejection. And what do they always say? If you’re not failing, then you’re not trying. Or, maybe your stories just suck. All the more reason to keep writing to get better.
This recent rejection left me a bit surprised and confused, although that’s a low bar.
Yep, that’s the Scientology guy’s sci-fi short story contest. It’s free, so please enter. But don’t get thrown off by their weird quarters. I wondered how they picked 2nd quarter winners so quickly after the entry deadline. It turns out that the 2nd quarter for them is the 1st quarter for us. Must be a Scientology thing. Anyway, I had submitted a cute sci-fi story about an alien creature secretly living in someone’s nose. Sure, maybe it wasn’t winning material, but I had hoped for some recognition. I scrolled down through the Finalists, Semi-Finalists, and Silver Honorable Mentions. Nope, nope, and nope. No James Flanigan shown. But my name was surely in the list of 244 Honorable Mentions, right?
Not a Flanigan among the Fs. I have submitted my 2nd quarter story for their 3rd quarter contest, and I am working on a story for their 4th quarter contest due at the end of our 3rd quarter. Is that clear? If not, I want my quarter back, which reminds me that football season is right around the corner.
Speaking of bad jokes, I did get another micro-fiction story selected for publication and ten bucks. I sort of liked it and had hoped it would be awarded rather than just published. My wife read it and was underwhelmed. Sigh! I thought I had a chance as I wrote to their humor prompt and packed in 6 jokes in just 300 words. That’s <pokes at calculator> a joke every 50 words! You can read “A Fastenerating Plan” by clicking HERE. Yes, I know fastenerating is not a word. Just read it, and it should make sense. If it does, seek professional help.
The blow of not being awarded was softened a bit by none of the stories published in the humor category being awarded. We all sucked, but then again, we’re all ten bucks richer.
I may take the current contest off as I have no clue what to write based on their prompts. First story is free, so enter and good luck to you.
Jim Flanigan Looks at the World 