WRiTE CLUB 2016 - Slushpile Scores

You asked...a lot. Everyone wanted to know how everyone who entered WRiTE CLUB this year fared in the eyes of the Slushpile judges...so here it is.  Above is the list of the 30 contestants who made it into the ring (excluding the second JavaInMe piece, which was excluded because only one could make it into the contest), along with the number of judge votes they each received. As you can see, nobody received votes from all twelve of the judges. In fact, the writers who drew the most votes, didn't even make it to the finals! Both of our finalist got a nod from only half (or less) of the judges. A perfect example of how making it into the ring is one thing, but what you do when your in it could be something entirely different.

Below are the scores of everyone else. An interesting note -- the second submission from The Night Songstress (one of our finalist), only garnered one vote. I'm also told from my wife (who is the only person who knows everyone's real names), that this year one of the contestants who made it deep into the competition didn't make the cut last year -- and Lisa Dunn (our 2015 champion) -- didn't get selected for the ring the year prior. As I've it said all along, the competition is fierce, and sometimes fickle, but that is the subjective nature the publishing industry deals in .

In my last post when I asked for feedback about the contest, one commenter suggested that the slushpile judges jot down their thoughts about each submission (131 of them) and those could be returned to everyone who entered after the contest was over. I'm sorry, but I feel that asking my judges to do that is too much, and frankly I doubt I would be able to get a dozen judges if that were the requirement. This is the best I could do (for now)...showing how you stacked up against everyone else in the eyes of the judges. Next year I'm considering offering more feedback to those contestants who continue to support the contest (by voting and communicating) all the way through its conclusion.

So what's the morale of this story? Don't give up! If you missed out this year, keep working on your craft and give it a whirl again next year.  A new group of judges is assembled each year, and maybe next year one of the pieces you submit will be their cup of tea!

If you're interested in receiving an email just before the 2017 version of WRiTE CLUB kicks-off, then leave your name and email address HERE. In the meantime, keep on writing!