Hot on the heels of the great Sales v Williamson 2013 Short Story Challenge, I’ve been challenged again, this time by Gio Clairval. Rather than complicate things, I’m keeping the two challenges separate.
So, summary of the rules:
1/Timeframe Jan1 – Dec 31 2013
2/ New story submitted for the first time = 1pt.
3/ Story sold for the first time = 1pt.
4/ Loser buys the winner dinner.
Look for the running total here.
Posted in: Short stories
iansales
January 13, 2013
This mean,s of course, that you’ll have to do twice as well as points aren’t transferable
neilwilliamson
January 13, 2013
No pressure then.
Gio Clairval
January 13, 2013
Why aren’t points transferable for Neil? Sounds unfair to me.
neilwilliamson
January 13, 2013
Ian was joking, Gio. My points will count as much against you as him.
Gio Clairval
January 13, 2013
Recording 1 acceptance. The story was written last year, though; so it’s only 1 point.
Gio Clairval
January 13, 2013
Precision: Written last year but submitted this year.
Gio Clairval
January 13, 2013
Ian: I hoped so, but with you boys one never knows
neilwilliamson
January 13, 2013
Okay, so Gio 1 v Neil 0
Gio Clairval
January 15, 2013
I was wondering about my sale: the story was written last year, but was never submitted (I thought it wasn’t quite ready). It was revised, subbed this month for the first time, and sold. One point or two, then?
neilwilliamson
January 15, 2013
Two, of course. One for first submission and one for first sale.
Which makes it: Gio 2 Neil 0
Gio Clairval
January 25, 2013
Sold another story (for the first time), but not on first submission.
That’s 1 point, innit? So Gio 3 – Neil 0
(I’m sure you’ve got plenty of acceptances-in-waiting–and I haven’t got many stories to sell–must go and write a few!)
neilwilliamson
January 25, 2013
Well done! Nope, I have no stories out at market at the moment. None. Any points I gain this year are stories that have yet to be written (or at least finished).
Gio Clairval
February 14, 2013
New acceptance: New story; first sub (2 pts, innit?). Gio 5 – What about Neil? (Who–I fear– he’s going to squash Gio with a volley of acceptances after letting her believe that he’s lagging behind.)
neilwilliamson
February 14, 2013
Well done again!
I wouldn’t hold your breath for any volleys in this direction. Still working on books – which don’t count in the contest. I’ll be more than happy if I reach my personal target by the end of the year, and if at the same time you and Ian have also sold a ton of stories, all the better!
Gio Clairval
March 4, 2013
New story subbed: 1 pt. Gio 6.
neilwilliamson
March 4, 2013
Gio 6 Neil 0 *sheesh*
I need to claw back some dignity here. Well, I’m probably going to be squeezing out one of my own (maybe two) in the next week, so at least I’ll have points on the board. But after that there’ll be another long novel-shaped lull. Ah well.
neilwilliamson
March 29, 2013
Okay, I’ve finished a story and submitted it. On the scoreboard at last.
6-1!
Gio Clairval
April 1, 2013
As you kindly remembered me, I should upload my score here. I subbed a story for the first time yesterday, and another today, which makes 2 additional points:
Gio 8 – Neil 1
neilwilliamson
April 1, 2013
Good going! Tho I’m thinking about asking for an inventory of all these stories of yours…! :p
Gio Clairval
April 1, 2013
Ack. “reminded me”. I’m so tired I’m starting to think in Latin.
What are you insinuating, misérable?
neilwilliamson
April 1, 2013
Just so I know which ones to look for when they’re published!
Gio Clairval
April 1, 2013
The list of sold stories is over at Kosmochlor, which I can see on your blogroll
Gio Clairval
April 2, 2013
Wow, I sold one of the stories I just sent out! Found the contract in my email this morning. (Yayyayyayyay!)
Therefore, it is:
Gio 9 – Neil 1
neilwilliamson
April 2, 2013
So, out of interest (because I am interested) is that six new stories and three sales, or five and four?
(Either way it’s a great hit rate!)
Gio Clairval
April 2, 2013
*sips her coffee* D’you mean: how many of these are new stories *written this year*?
And no!— No. Mercy. On. The. Glaswegian.
neilwilliamson
April 2, 2013
No, no. Just trying to tot up the ratio of submissions to sales. That’s all.
Gio Clairval
April 2, 2013
I was joking !!! And I *got* your comment on the “killing you” thing!
And Neil, I’m really really grateful for this challenge that is keeping me on my toes. I need deadlines and challenges to work (this is the old consultant in me).
neilwilliamson
April 2, 2013
You’re killing me with this, Gio. Sales is at least giving me a chance!
Gio Clairval
April 2, 2013
Four new stories, two of which sold, two still out (on first submission). *goes to verify on Duotrope’s*
neilwilliamson
April 2, 2013
okay, so four new stories written, two sold and three older stories also sold?
Gio Clairval
April 2, 2013
(All I know is that I recorded points here as I subbed and got acceptances). *goes to create spreadsheet*
Gio Clairval
April 2, 2013
Since January 1st:
7 submission (4 new stories; 3 old stories subbed for the first time)
4 acceptances (2 new stories; 2 old)
1 rejection (1 new story)
2 pending (1 new; 1 old–shortlisted)
Did I forget to record 1 submission (still pending)?
neilwilliamson
April 2, 2013
Okay, then the arithmetic is a bit wonky.
7 stories submitted for the first time = 7 points.
4 acceptances (assuming none of those four has been accepted/published before) = 4 points.
So you should have 11 points, no?
Gio Clairval
April 2, 2013
I didn’t count the (first and only, so far) reprint acceptance.
Yeah, apparently the total is 11.
Darpit! I created that confounded spreadsheet, and that’s what I can see there: I get a total of 7 subs however I add up the numbers on the lines and columns, as the good old accountants do…
Sorry for the confusabilties. I’ll keep the spreadsheet up to date. And now I’m really late!
*runs out*
neilwilliamson
April 2, 2013
Oh now you’re confusing *me*. If it’s a reprint it doesn’t count. It can’t be the first time you’ve sent the story out and it’s certainly not the first time it’s been accepted.
REMINDER OF THE RULES:
You get 1 point when a story is submitted for the first time.
You get 1 point when a story is accepted for the first time.
*sheesh* Sales doesn’t give me this much trouble!
Gio Clairval
April 2, 2013
I meant: I didn’t count the 1 reprint in the seven actual submissions and acceptances at all, as reprints are not to be counted.
The 7 subs are 7 subs sent out this year, either of brand-new stories, or of old stories never subbed before.
neilwilliamson
April 2, 2013
lol, ok. As you were, then. 11-1.
Gio Clairval
April 2, 2013
“*sheesh* Sales doesn’t give me this much trouble!”
That’s because you’ve been busy selling bigger things, like NOVELS!
neilwilliamson
April 2, 2013
yeah, didn’t I tell you? Novels are worth 500 points.
Gio Clairval
May 6, 2013
New story-new sub-new acceptance.
Two additional points.
Gio 13 – Neil 1
Type faster, Williamson!
neilwilliamson
May 6, 2013
Ha, well done.
Also, be aware that I’ve just taken on something that will limit my production even further for the next three months, so it’s looking very good for you!
Gio Clairval
May 6, 2013
But wasn’t all this contest business and excuse for goading you into writing and subbing more shorts? (It worked for me anyway…
neilwilliamson
May 6, 2013
Yep, it was. But sometimes other things take priority.
Gio Clairval
April 2, 2013
Ah, ah, reading quickly, because I’m really, really late, I read “Sales” as “sales” (Sorry for objectifying you, Sales with a capital letter!)
Gio Clairval
May 6, 2013
“an” excuse, soree.
And is it a secret thing you’re doing?
neilwilliamson
May 6, 2013
For now…