Escape Artists

The Arcade => Flash Contest IV => Completed Contests => Flash Fiction Contest IV - Pseudopod => Topic started by: Bdoomed on September 29, 2015, 05:38:47 PM

Title: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Bdoomed on September 29, 2015, 05:38:47 PM
Alright ladies and gentlemen, the stories have been counted, vetted, posted, and sorted.  October 1st is nigh and these stories are pushing at the gates, and they're hungry.

We have a lot to kill.  In total, there are 212 stories from 152 separate authors to get through.  This is incredible, more than any contest has ever received since the split of the general Escape Pod contest into three distinct contests.  We've got quite a lot of newcomers, some familiar names, and even some returning champions.  This should be a lot of fun!

That said, since the story volume is so high, and voting fatigue is yet another demon we have to fight, the schedule of story releases will be a bit different this time around.

The stories have been split into 18 groups: 14 groups of 12 stories and 4 groups of 11 stories.  These groups are also in two subdivisions, which ensures that no single author's story will be pitted against itself until the final round, should they make it that far.

In each group, pick up to 3 favorite stories to vote on.  You are perfectly allowed to vote for less than 3.

The first round of the contest will consist of all 18 groups, 212 stories.  The second round will pit the winners of 3 groups together in 6 second-round polls.  So the winners of groups 1, 2, and 3 will be in Round 2A; the winners of groups 4, 5, and 6 will be in Round 2B; etc.

Looks something like this:
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/21532214/Pseudopod_FFIV_bracket.jpg)

I will be releasing two groups every other day.  This is subject to change, if it seems either too much or too little.  Three story groups at a time every three days makes some sense, but is most likely too many to tackle at a time.  But, tentatively:
Oct 1: Groups 1 and 2
Oct 3: Groups 3 and 4
Oct 5: Groups 5 and 6
Oct 7: Groups 7 and 8
Oct 9: Groups 9 and 10
Oct 11: Groups 11 and 12
Oct 13: Groups 13 and 14
Oct 15: Groups 15 and 16
Oct 17: Groups 17 and 18

Each group's poll will run for a week.  To keep things flowing a bit faster, Round 2A will start once Group 3 finishes, Round 2B as Group 6 finishes, etc.  That means, tentatively:
Oct 11: Round 2A
Oct 13: Round 2B
Oct 17: Round 2C
Oct 19: Round 2D
Oct 23: Round 2E
Oct 25: Round 2F

This puts the Semifinals starting on November 2nd, the day after Round 2F finishes.  The Semifinal polls will last another week, leaving the Final Poll of 6 stories to duke it out from November 10 to 17.  Finalists will be announced on November 18.

This is all somewhat tentative, because we often get tiebreaker runoff polls in the event there is a tie for 3rd place in any one group.  Runoff polls will last for 3 days.  If the runoff poll ties as well, I will cast a vote to break the tie.  That will be the only time I vote in this contest.

Moving on, here's the main rules to follow taken from the last contest, because if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

GENERAL RULES:

1. This contest is being run by me, Bdoomed, the Pseudopod forum moderator. If needed, other forum moderators may be brought in, and that will be announced. No one involved in the running of the contest will be allowed to submit entries.

2. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners (and perhaps some editor's choices such as what happened over at the Escape Pod contest) will receive a contract to be bought and produced as flash fiction pieces at pro rates. Contact will be established with the winning authors at the conclusion of the contest.

3. Stories will be posted anonymously. Authors will be revealed after their story either loses or wins the contest. Please do not try to guess at the authors, at least publicly. Those posts will be deleted and the poster will be warned. As an author, please do not try to garner outside support through blogs, Twitter, Facebook, etc. We cannot stop you, but I urge you to just link to the contest in general, not your story. That said, please do tell your friends about this contest and about Escape Artists! I will be keeping an eye on any fishy business, and if I think something is up, I will take action. It is easy to find cheaters. If we discover that an author has revealed their authorship of a story before it is allowed (in the contest threads or elsewhere), that is grounds for disqualification of the story. The contest is to be won on the merits of the story, not the popularity of the author.

4. As always, constructive discussion is encouraged about all stories posted in this contest. The key word here is constructive. Normal forum rules remain in place. Be civil and respectful. That's our one rule (http://forum.escapeartists.net/index.php?topic=3289.0). Rude and unconstructive negativity will be deleted or edited, and the offending poster will be warned. This goes for authors as well. You are free to comment on any story, including your own, but keep it civil and respectful. I reserve the right to kick any author and their stories out of the contest should there be ample reason.

5. Creating multiple accounts to vote for a story will get you banned from the forums and your story kicked from the contest. If you are sharing a computer, living space, or router with someone else who will be voting or creating an account, make sure to message me. Failure to do so may result in various adverse effects such as account deletion and/or banning.

6. In order to encourage more people to participate, the contest forum is currently visible to everyone, including non-forum members. However, once the submissions are closed the contest forum will be hidden and available only to registered members of the forum, and will remain so. This will ensure that the entries are not available to a general audience and prevent them as being considered as published by most markets. If needed for outside publishing purposes, an author can request a story to be deleted. Simply message me on the forums or at Brian@escapeartists.net with your concerns.


Again, always remember our one rule (http://forum.escapeartists.net/index.php?topic=3289.0).  We want to keep this contest fun, constructive, and inviting.  Criticism can be tough to take and tough to dish out.  You can be harsh in your criticisms, but remain respectful to the author and other forumites and there won't be any problems.




Please read and re-read these rules before asking questions.  That all said, any questions, comments, concerns?
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Bdoomed on September 29, 2015, 05:58:25 PM
I'll also say it here again: Authors, when your story is posted, please notify me of any errors in formatting, should there be any.   I tried to fix any errors I found during the transfer process, but may have missed some.

You are also permitted to ask for very minor fixes to your story.  Maybe you missed a period, or misspelled a word.  Let me know!  I will, of course, not replace entire paragraphs or delete entire sentences, but a small mistake here and there is nothing to lose a contest over.

Along that same line of thinking, critiquers and voters: Vote for the story as a whole.  Small typos can be fixed before production.  Everyone makes them, and the constraints of this contest and the relatively small amount of time the authors had to write lends itself well to minor errors.  Of course, feel free to point out any errors as part of your critiques.  They're great things to catch for future reference and editing purposes.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: South of No North on October 01, 2015, 06:22:49 AM
Before this gets too far ahead. (Thanks for all the work by the way)
I was wondering if a story was excluded for whatever reason/cause would a notification go out to the author?
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Bdoomed on October 01, 2015, 03:27:30 PM
Yes, the author would have received an e-mail about it.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Moritz on October 01, 2015, 07:14:40 PM
Got the rules.

(over the top announcer voice) Let the games begin!!!
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Jaboui on October 04, 2015, 07:13:11 AM
I think the worst part of being one of the authors is waiting for your story posted yet is if you're in one of the later groups.  As one of the authors who isn't in the first 4 groups, (Surprise out of 212 I haven't made the first 4) I can honestly say that I'm enjoying the stories and hope that the interest doesn't wane before the later groups come up. 
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Ryan H on October 04, 2015, 01:25:43 PM
I think the worst part of being one of the authors is waiting for your story posted yet is if you're in one of the later groups.

I admitted to my wife that some part of me will continue to doubt I'm in the running until I actually see my story up there. But she said the same thing you did -- 212 stories, only four groups so far.  8)

I'm really digging the process of reading through the stories and joining in the discussions. Best of luck to everybody!
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Bdoomed on October 04, 2015, 07:26:01 PM
If you submitted two stories, you're guaranteed to have one story be in one of the first 9 groups!
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Ryan H on October 05, 2015, 12:29:36 AM
If you submitted two stories, you're guaranteed to have one story be in one of the first 9 groups!

Woo-hoo!
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Portrait in Flesh on October 05, 2015, 12:41:36 AM
Speaking theoretically, it must be (theoretically) nerve-wracking to see some stories in the early rounds that (theoretically) cover the same theme/topic that, say, you may have (theoretically) written about and submitted.

...posting this for a friend.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: benjaminjb on October 05, 2015, 02:35:00 AM
You and your theories, Portrait! How does this work in practice?
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Moritz on October 05, 2015, 07:31:42 AM
Speaking theoretically, it must be (theoretically) nerve-wracking to see some stories in the early rounds that (theoretically) cover the same theme/topic that, say, you may have (theoretically) written about and submitted.

...posting this for a friend.

You wrote something about this new idea of zombies or ghosts?  ;)
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Witchlander on October 05, 2015, 10:56:22 PM
Speaking theoretically, it must be (theoretically) nerve-wracking to see some stories in the early rounds that (theoretically) cover the same theme/topic that, say, you may have (theoretically) written about and submitted.

...posting this for a friend.

You wrote something about this new idea of zombies or ghosts?  ;)

At this point, I'm guessing banshees or dolls.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Windup on October 06, 2015, 01:09:12 AM
Speaking theoretically, it must be (theoretically) nerve-wracking to see some stories in the early rounds that (theoretically) cover the same theme/topic that, say, you may have (theoretically) written about and submitted.

...posting this for a friend.

Just suppose (hypothetically) that someone else was in the same boat. They would (I imagine) be glad that they weren't the only ones who felt that way. (So I've heard.)
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Chicken Ghost on October 06, 2015, 02:11:19 AM
I've yet to see anything similar to my submissions.  Good thing I'm a weirdo. 

I'm not sure I'm going to be able to keep up if I don't devote a much larger portion of my free time to this.  I'm already falling behind, and I don't want to vote in a group if I haven't read all the stories. 
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Unblinking on October 06, 2015, 08:50:24 PM
Speaking theoretically, it must be (theoretically) nerve-wracking to see some stories in the early rounds that (theoretically) cover the same theme/topic that, say, you may have (theoretically) written about and submitted.

...posting this for a friend.

You wrote something about this new idea of zombies or ghosts?  ;)

At this point, I'm guessing banshees or dolls.

Or men POV characters killing women for imagined or petty reasons.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Portrait in Flesh on October 07, 2015, 01:15:19 AM
I don't know what I'm thinking anymore.  Ever since I was tricked into reading Twilight fan fic (or at least a nod thereto), it's like the world has lost all that was good and pure...which has its perks, mind you, but this time it made my cats' tails get all bushy and they left the room in a huff.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Chicken Ghost on October 07, 2015, 07:33:19 AM
but this time it made my cats' tails get all bushy and they left the room in a huff.

HAIRLESS cats' tails got bushy. 

There's a body horror premise there somewhere.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Bdoomed on October 08, 2015, 06:36:20 PM
Update: Groups 1 and 2 have concluded voting, and author names have been posted!  Congratulations to the winners, great job to the rest!
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Jaboui on October 09, 2015, 06:40:29 AM
Is there a problem with "The Underground" on Group 9?  Not my story but as it's two lines I want to make sure nothing is missing.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Scattercat on October 09, 2015, 08:34:20 AM
Usually at least one person goes the extreme microfiction route in these contests.  It's normal, I'd wager. 
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Bdoomed on October 09, 2015, 01:50:38 PM
Yeah, nothing missing from that story!

I really like micro fiction.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Ettan on October 09, 2015, 09:49:57 PM
Looks like fatigue has set in. Less comments and less voting.
The first two groups are closed and the next two are closing soon.

Group 1 had 66 voters
Group 2 had 60 voters
Group3 currently has 54 voters
Group 4 currently has 48 voters

Is there a pattern forming here?
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Portrait in Flesh on October 09, 2015, 11:45:21 PM
Looks like fatigue has set in. Less comments and less voting.
The first two groups are closed and the next two are closing soon.

Group 1 had 66 voters
Group 2 had 60 voters
Group3 currently has 54 voters
Group 4 currently has 48 voters

Is there a pattern forming here?


I had one of those "the hell, week, why you treating me so bad?" kind of work schedule.  I hope to get to some of the groups that have sprouted up, if'n my wee tiny overtaxed wrists can swing it.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: eytanz on October 10, 2015, 12:18:27 AM
Looks like fatigue has set in. Less comments and less voting.

I'm not sure. I mean, there is a drop off in the first few groups, but I'd define fatigue as when people who are interested in the contest are finding it hard to keep up. In the first few groups, there probably were quite a few people who popped in to see what the contest was about and just didn't bother sticking around.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: jkjones21 on October 10, 2015, 02:51:10 AM
I've been trying to maintain a one group a day pace all week, which is doable with an hour or two of free time.  It's trying to think of constructive comments for every story that really saps the energy.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Tango Alpha Delta on October 10, 2015, 03:14:22 AM
10 groups in, and I am absolutely KICKING myself for not getting a story submitted.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Fenrix on October 10, 2015, 03:18:09 AM

10 groups in, and I am absolutely KICKING myself for not getting a story submitted.


Start thinking about something for 2016. Rumor has it there's more on the horizon.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: starktheground on October 10, 2015, 01:41:17 PM
Looks like fatigue has set in. Less comments and less voting.
The first two groups are closed and the next two are closing soon.

Group 1 had 66 voters
Group 2 had 60 voters
Group3 currently has 54 voters
Group 4 currently has 48 voters

Is there a pattern forming here?


I had one of those "the hell, week, why you treating me so bad?" kind of work schedule.  I hope to get to some of the groups that have sprouted up, if'n my wee tiny overtaxed wrists can swing it.

I've managed to keep up with the voting, but my comments have waned. I blame bronchitis. I'm a fast reader, though, so the actual reading and voting is easy.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Witchlander on October 11, 2015, 04:14:10 PM
Looks like fatigue has set in. Less comments and less voting.
The first two groups are closed and the next two are closing soon.

Group 1 had 66 voters
Group 2 had 60 voters
Group3 currently has 54 voters
Group 4 currently has 48 voters

Is there a pattern forming here?


Don't know how many Canadians there are on this forum, but it's actually Thanksgiving weekend up here. I'm having my computer read me stories while I mash turnips.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Tango Alpha Delta on October 11, 2015, 05:53:52 PM

... I'm having my computer read me stories while I mash turnips.

This...THIS is why I love living in the future!
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Devoted135 on October 11, 2015, 06:06:50 PM
Looks like fatigue has set in. Less comments and less voting.
The first two groups are closed and the next two are closing soon.

Group 1 had 66 voters
Group 2 had 60 voters
Group3 currently has 54 voters
Group 4 currently has 48 voters

Is there a pattern forming here?


I just voted for group 5 today. Phew, I keep sneaking in just under the wire!
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Unblinking on October 12, 2015, 02:20:01 AM

... I'm having my computer read me stories while I mash turnips.

This...THIS is why I love living in the future!

Maybe in a few years your computer can read you stories while your computer mashes turnips.  :)
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Bdoomed on October 12, 2015, 07:00:22 AM
Round 2B will be posted after the group 5 runoff poll concludes.

Authors will be revealed for groups 5 and 6 later today, except for the runoff poll stories and of course the first and second place winners of the group.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Unblinking on October 12, 2015, 11:03:22 AM
Round 2B will be posted after the group 5 runoff poll concludes.

Authors will be revealed for groups 5 and 6 later today, except for the runoff poll stories and of course the first and second place winners of the group.

When there's a runoff, would it be possible for the Group folder to be renamed to point it out?  I almost missed the runoff otherwise because I've been focusing on keeping up with new groups and haven't had time to keep up with conversations in old groups (I'll catch up, I just haven't yet).  :)
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Witchlander on October 12, 2015, 02:57:34 PM

... I'm having my computer read me stories while I mash turnips.

This...THIS is why I love living in the future!

Maybe in a few years your computer can read you stories while your computer mashes turnips.  :)

Yes! That's the future I want to live in.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Moritz on October 13, 2015, 06:44:55 AM
Same problem here, I was at a wedding this weekend and missed 3 days of reading/voting so that I am almost missing one of the deadlines!
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Chicken Ghost on October 13, 2015, 03:12:22 PM
152 authors, 70 or fewer voters. 

EXCUSE ME? 
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Unblinking on October 13, 2015, 04:11:57 PM
152 authors, 70 or fewer voters. 

EXCUSE ME? 

There is no part of the contest that requires submitters to join the forum, or to read the stories, or to vote on the stories, or to comment on the stories.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: 8BitDlite on October 13, 2015, 05:46:58 PM
152 authors, 70 or fewer voters. 

EXCUSE ME? 

Interestingly, that's right in line with voter turnout in the U.S.  (40% -ish in midterm elections) 

I don't really have a point with that statement, just a random bit of trivia connection.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Scattercat on October 13, 2015, 07:48:16 PM
And the number only goes down as time grinds on.  XD
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Bdoomed on October 14, 2015, 03:41:13 AM
fun fact: I often get inquiries long after the contest concludes with authors asking when they'll know how their story did.  I then have to tell them all about our wonderful FORUM contest!
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: NaturalBornChiller on October 14, 2015, 06:31:12 AM
I was kind of intimidated by the number of entries in round 1, and I also found that by the time I got to a story it already had two pages of comments and I had nothing new to add. I will vote/crit in the subsequent rounds though, since at least then I'll hopefully bringing fresh eyes to the stories (I'm sure I've got a mason jar of them around here somewhere...).
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Bdoomed on October 15, 2015, 05:11:36 AM
We're nearing the last of the groups, folks!  I'll be releasing authors for groups 7 and 8 tomorrow/announcing winners and whatnot.  I've had a long day and not much free time to close it out today, sorry!
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: starktheground on October 15, 2015, 12:02:38 PM
I figure Round 2 is when it'll start getting really hard! So many good stories already.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Bdoomed on October 15, 2015, 05:20:34 PM
Tidied up the story group clutter here, hope you all find it easy to navigate.

Round 2B will be going up soon, so be sure to get your vote in!
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Tango Alpha Delta on October 16, 2015, 02:59:38 AM
Because I ...Excel... at making spreadsheets, I thought I'd make one to play with the numbers. And I thought YOU might like to play with it too.  Please don't abuse your editing privileges. :)

(Full disclosure: I should have probably taken Statistics at some point...)

Enjoy the Pseudopoll Crunch (http://"https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1D4AmA_lgFYY-tlI5HoCu6m1Kkb_SXBqYI7vr9KuU4Ek/edit?usp=sharing").

Update: maybe this link?

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1D4AmA_lgFYY-tlI5HoCu6m1Kkb_SXBqYI7vr9KuU4Ek/edit?usp=docslist_api
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Unblinking on October 16, 2015, 03:32:04 AM
Because I ...Excel... at making spreadsheets, I thought I'd make one to play with the numbers. And I thought YOU might like to play with it too.  Please don't abuse your editing privileges. :)

(Full disclosure: I should have probably taken Statistics at some point...)

Enjoy the Pseudopoll Crunch (http://"https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1D4AmA_lgFYY-tlI5HoCu6m1Kkb_SXBqYI7vr9KuU4Ek/edit?usp=sharing").

Link doesn't work for me, alas!
Title: Re: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Tango Alpha Delta on October 16, 2015, 11:01:17 AM



Link doesn't work for me, alas!

Did I fix it?
Title: Re: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: 8BitDlite on October 16, 2015, 12:26:12 PM



Link doesn't work for me, alas!

Did I fix it?

It's working for me now.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Fenrix on October 16, 2015, 12:53:50 PM

Enjoy the Pseudopoll Crunch.


Sounds like a wretched sugary cereal that rots your sanity in proportion to your teeth.
Title: Re: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Unblinking on October 16, 2015, 01:06:03 PM



Link doesn't work for me, alas!

Did I fix it?

It's working for me now.

Works for me now, too.  Thanks!
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Tango Alpha Delta on October 16, 2015, 03:17:30 PM

Enjoy the Pseudopoll Crunch.


Sounds like a wretched sugary cereal that rots your sanity in proportion to your teeth.

Do NOT drink the milk when you're done!
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Bdoomed on October 16, 2015, 04:23:17 PM
Because I ...Excel... at making spreadsheets, I thought I'd make one to play with the numbers. And I thought YOU might like to play with it too.  Please don't abuse your editing privileges. :)

(Full disclosure: I should have probably taken Statistics at some point...)

Enjoy the Pseudopoll Crunch (http://"https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1D4AmA_lgFYY-tlI5HoCu6m1Kkb_SXBqYI7vr9KuU4Ek/edit?usp=sharing").

Update: maybe this link?

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1D4AmA_lgFYY-tlI5HoCu6m1Kkb_SXBqYI7vr9KuU4Ek/edit?usp=docslist_api

Mmmmm... dataaaaa...

(http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/simpsons/images/7/7f/Mmm.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20121205194537)
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Thunderscreech on October 16, 2015, 11:03:23 PM
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1D4AmA_lgFYY-tlI5HoCu6m1Kkb_SXBqYI7vr9KuU4Ek/edit?usp=docslist_api
Ok, I've done a preliminary analysis of the numbers and it looks like each digit used only ranges from 0 to 9.  Also, the titles of the stories all seem to be primarily made up of vowels and consonants (with a handful of fricatives to spice things up) and I'm calculating that there is, like, a 94.6% likelihood that I am not equipped to derive meaningful data from the data provided. 
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Bdoomed on October 16, 2015, 11:09:45 PM
Groups 9 and 10 have closed, and Round 2C will be up later today hopefully :)
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Bdoomed on October 17, 2015, 08:07:43 AM
Wow, we have all 18 groups posted.

Fun fact: the very last story I ported over to the forums, the last one submitted, number 212, the conclusion of my initial labors -- was titled "Finally", and appeared in group 10.

I hope you're all holding in there!  The last leg of the contest is upon us!

I'm also beyond ecstatic that you are enjoying my poll intros.  I've never done such lengthy ones before and the response to it has been awesome and encouraging for my own writing.  I'm almost burnt out (20 stories so far every other day is HARD) so I'll be resorting to micro fiction more and more I suspect, but I'm enjoying it nonetheless.  I'll set up a poll at the end for you all to vote on which one you liked the most.  You all make me blush.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Scattercat on October 17, 2015, 11:10:21 AM
They're a highlight, though not least because I'm not expected to render judgment and comment on 'em.  XD
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Tango Alpha Delta on October 17, 2015, 03:07:27 PM
They're a highlight, though not least because I'm not expected to render judgment and comment on 'em.  XD

Yet!  :P
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Kolin Gates on October 18, 2015, 11:31:40 PM
Thanks for putting this all together, Bdoomed! Great work on the Poll Stories. I, for one, am glad that we're almost there!
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Unblinking on October 19, 2015, 03:30:00 PM
Phew, I have read all the stories!  I love these contests, but they're also exhausting.  I can't imagine how much more tiring they must be for Bdoomed.  Well done, good sir, thank you for all the effort you've put into organizing this.

I'll still be catching up on comment threads and voting for future rounds, but that first round of cold reading is the part I find most tiring.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Bdoomed on October 19, 2015, 06:31:00 PM
I happen to be unemployed right now through nothing but sheer coincidence.  Makes this all a lot easier!
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Moritz on October 19, 2015, 06:45:35 PM
I happen to be unemployed right now through nothing but sheer coincidence.  Makes this all a lot easier!

Today I actually stayed an hour after work in my office just to read the last group... because I thought I wouldn't get the time at home.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Devoted135 on October 20, 2015, 02:14:10 AM
On to group 16! I think I'm going to make it haha! I haven't gone back yet to read comments that came in after I read each story, I'm definitely looking forward to that once I make it through the initial gauntlet. :)
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Bdoomed on October 22, 2015, 06:11:11 PM
Group 15 has closed, as has the polling for group 16.  I'll be posting authors today for group 16, but a bit later.  Round 2E will also begin later today, consisting of stories from groups 13-15.  One more round 2 group after this then on to the semifinals!
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Bdoomed on October 23, 2015, 04:58:00 AM
Whew, that was a lot to do all at once.  15 and 16 are now closed, authors posted, stories moved to Round 2E, Round 2B closed and authors posted.

Enjoy voting!  Groups 17 an 18 will be closing in a day so get those votes in if you haven't yet!
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Chicken Ghost on October 24, 2015, 04:41:43 AM
Do you guys vote for your own stories?
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Moritz on October 24, 2015, 08:33:01 AM
Do you guys vote for your own stories?

Sure.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: MCWagner on October 25, 2015, 02:55:30 AM
Do you guys vote for your own stories?

Naturally, you have to love your own children first.

But that leaves two other votes at any given time: be fair with those.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Chicken Ghost on October 25, 2015, 06:33:10 AM
It feels l8ke a dick move if there are others that don't suck.  And yet, i don't wanna cast the vote that casts me out.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: eytanz on October 25, 2015, 08:31:58 AM
In pat contests, there used to be a rule that required authors to vote for their own stories, with the thinking being that if everyone does that, it's a level playing field. But people complained that sometimes there are three stories that they preferred, plus as the contests grew we had more authors that weren't participating in the votes at all, so the rule was dropped.

In my opinion, there's certainly nothing wrong with voting for your own story. It's not a dick move, because the authors of the stories you are competing against have the option of doing the same. If they choose not to, that's their choice, and you shouldn't feel constrained by it.

I've voted for my own story in both rounds so far.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: starktheground on October 25, 2015, 06:36:54 PM
Do you guys vote for your own stories?

I voted for one of mine but not the other. It felt honest to me.

Of course, I don't always do the brightest things.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: jkjones21 on October 25, 2015, 06:52:49 PM
The way I see it, the criterion for deciding whether or not you should vote for a story is pretty broadly defined as, "Do you want to see this specific story run on an Escape Artists podcast?"  The reasons for saying yes to that question are usually tied up with which stories you think are quality work when you're a reader, but when you're also the author of a story, there isn't anything wrong with being self-interested.  I voted for my own works in every round they appeared, because I wanted to see them get published on PseudoPod.  With the vast number of voters, my personal vote didn't particularly change the outcome of where I placed in any given round, but if it had, I'd still consider my motivations as a valid reason for voting for myself over another story.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Bdoomed on October 25, 2015, 09:20:38 PM
Sorry folks, been busy.  Will be putting up the semifinal 1 shortly as well as round 2F :)
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Unblinking on October 26, 2015, 01:58:00 PM
Yup, I've voted for my own.  It's explicitly allowed in the rules, so I figure anyone who's paying attention has the right to do the same anyway.  And my take on it is similar to jkjones's, I'll vote for what I'd most like to see in the contest, and that includes selfish reasons.  It's going to be a rare circumstance that one vote is going to be the deciding factor between in and out anyway--my vote did not keep my stories from tanking.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Bdoomed on November 02, 2015, 11:21:05 PM
Semifinal A has closed, and I'll get around to posting authors tonight at some point!

Round 2F has also closed, and Semifinal B will be posted either tonight or sometime tomorrow!
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Moritz on November 03, 2015, 10:33:42 AM
Semifinal A has closed, and I'll get around to posting authors tonight at some point!

Round 2F has also closed, and Semifinal B will be posted either tonight or sometime tomorrow!

Yeah, rock on!
I appreciate all the work you are putting into this. And really looking forward to the little flash pieces in the two final contests!
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Tango Alpha Delta on November 05, 2015, 12:59:49 AM
Semifinal A has closed, and I'll get around to posting authors tonight at some point!

Round 2F has also closed, and Semifinal B will be posted either tonight or sometime tomorrow!

I'm not trying to hurry you, but I don't see the Poll for Semifinal B, and I want to make sure that's because it isn't there, yet, and not because I'm broken.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: eytanz on November 05, 2015, 01:25:31 AM
It's not there.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Bdoomed on November 05, 2015, 02:08:20 AM
Yeah, sorry, just got it up!  Been busy with real life today!

Happy voting!
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Tango Alpha Delta on November 05, 2015, 03:05:12 AM
Righteous!

Thanks, Tiger!  ;)
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Bdoomed on November 12, 2015, 04:47:49 AM
The final poll has been posted!  It's been a loooong ride and a fun one!  Thanks to those who stuck around through it all!
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Scattercat on November 12, 2015, 07:01:57 AM
Woooo!
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Not-a-Robot on November 12, 2015, 07:37:02 AM
Woohoo,

Thanks for all of the hard work Bdoomed, and also, thank you everyone else behind the scenes that I don't know about!
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Witchlander on November 12, 2015, 01:57:03 PM
Thank you so much, Bdoomed!
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: dagny on November 12, 2015, 02:00:52 PM
This has been so much fun! Thanks so much, Bdoomed!
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: starktheground on November 12, 2015, 05:33:44 PM
Yes, thank you! It's been fun!
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: 8BitDlite on November 13, 2015, 12:21:37 PM
One more voice of thanks to Bdoomed, and to everyone who read & commented on the many entries. I thought the feedback showed a great deal of consideration, and I enjoyed reading the comments as much as the stories themselves.

Fun contest!
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Bdoomed on November 20, 2015, 12:39:34 AM
E-mails are being sent out for "declines".  Please forgive the obvious form rejection! 

Might be putting up a poll-intro poll soon :P
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Jon Padgett on November 20, 2015, 03:09:29 AM
Thanks so much, Bdoomed.  Magnificent work!
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: benjaminjb on November 20, 2015, 03:17:41 PM
Bdoomed! Thanks for everything.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Devoted135 on November 21, 2015, 03:39:10 AM
Yes! Thanks Bdoomed!
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: FireTurtle on November 21, 2015, 03:47:40 AM
Many thanks, BDoomed.

Does anyone have suggestions where to shop out these stories? From prior experience, I know in better off leaving them at their original length, and it's hard to find flash markets (or at least it was years ago when the last contest ended).
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: South of No North on November 21, 2015, 03:50:42 AM
I'll BDamned, I too thank BDoomed. Rest well, the work is done...for now...
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Bdoomed on November 21, 2015, 05:04:37 AM
n'aww shucks you guys
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Tango Alpha Delta on November 21, 2015, 02:42:29 PM
Many thanks, BDoomed.

Does anyone have suggestions where to shop out these stories? From prior experience, I know in better off leaving them at their original length, and it's hard to find flash markets (or at least it was years ago when the last contest ended).

I've been getting some good use out of Unblinking's Submission Grinder (http://thegrinder.diabolicalplots.com/) - it not only lets me track my progress, but lets me search for markets.

Update: Also--finding an enthusiastic editor to help you polish is a huge plus.
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Bdoomed on January 02, 2016, 09:08:48 PM
Obligatory it's been published! (http://pseudopod.org/2016/01/01/pseudopod-471-fotb-xxx/) post.  Go enjoy the winners of the contest in all their produced audio glory!
Title: Re: Lock, Stock, and 212 Smoking Barrels
Post by: Tango Alpha Delta on January 08, 2016, 04:05:55 AM
Obligatory it's been published! (http://pseudopod.org/2016/01/01/pseudopod-471-fotb-xxx/) post.  Go enjoy the winners of the contest in all their produced audio glory!

And a shameless plug for ALL of the Flash Fiction Contest Winners! (http://escape-artists.wikia.com/wiki/Flash_Fiction_Contest)