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Dear Mr. Reis,
In lieu of the fact that I'll be having a short story published for which I received money for (thus disqualifying me from any further SFWoE contests), I wanted to offer a few comments in retrospect. I began sending stories to your contest by 1983, possibly slightly earlier, so that makes my stay at 20 years at least.
For so long, I wanted to prove my worth and to demonstrate that I had moved beyond the SFWoE contest, a sort-of benchmark. Not that I didn't think the contest was worthwhile, but it's something that an established writer could look back at as a marker.
I felt that the way I could advance beyond the contest was to either place in the top 3 one year, or to get a story published on my own. It seemed like I wasn't cracking into the top ten each year, so getting a story published was my next option.
Truthfully, as far as the quality of my work goes, I probably should've been published before, but I actually haven't sent out a lot of stories. Also, technically speaking, I almost became exempt for the contest in 1989 because a fantasy piece of mine was once accepted for an anthology. I actually received a check for $15 for it. However, before the publication came out, the publishers went bankrupt. Furthermore, about 20 years ago, I placed 3rd in a poetry contest, and received $20 for my poem plus publication, and a few years ago, SFWoE paid me $20 for a poem placed on their web site. During the previous 15 years or so, I've also been paid to write 3 term papers for various students (slightly unethical).
I regret that I never did win a SFWoE contest, but I did accomplish a lot, writing dozens of sci-fi tales. I'll be leaving behind some records which I doubt can be broken. These include:
1. Longest participating entrant (at least 20 years).
2. Most stories submitted in a career.
3. Most stories submitted for a single contest (29 tales in 2001).
This 3rd accomplishment I felt showed once and for all that I had indeed moved beyond any amateur status since composing almost 30 stories in a one year time-frame is no mean feat even for an established writer.
To some extent, this is also a dubious distinction, since the only way a person can keep entering the contest year after year is by retaining a non-published/non-paid status.
I want to thank you and the contest for all the kind words and favors, including a paid contest entry, the payment for my "Almost Home" poem and web-page appearance, and the book sent by author Ed Bryant, among other things. Over the years, your words of encouragement were also helpful, especially. when I first began submitting stories as a younger man. In order to have the fortitude to continue writing, a writer needs a tough outer shell to deflect criticism and to ignore disappointments, and there are usually few friendly voices offering helpful words, so a writer is always happy to hear the rare good remark.
Although I don't want to disparage the contest, I must truthfully state that I feel some of my stories over the years were good enough to place in the top 3 places. In my opinion, I felt that some were at least as good as some of the first place winners. To tell you the truth, when I saw the summary of the winners over the years, quite often their plots seemed rather simple, and more often than not, they were fantasy rather than sci-fi.
At most, among the annual winning stories, the format is science-fantasy rather than true sci-fi. Personally, although fantasy is allowed, the name of the place is SFWoE, so I felt that sci-fi deserved the preeminence. I tend to write more horror than sci-fi, but I wanted to challenge myself by writing mostly sci-fi for the contest.
I think the biggest obstacle for me at the contest was the fact that character driven stories were given the pre-eminence, and I tend to emphasis interesting concepts. This is just my "take" on sci-fi. None-the-less, although I don't think characters are the main part of sci-fi, I've still gotten better at sketching characters, while still pursuing creative ideas. This isn't to imply that I'm bitter at the results or envious of the winners. In the end, a writer has to be convinced of his own worth and ability, make his best effort, and let the chips fall were they may, without letting other's judgments of his work being the ultimate arboreta of its quality.
Finally, I was wondering whether you'd mention my bowing out of future contests due to published author status, either on your web site or in next year's newsletter of contest results, in a similar vein of how you once mentioned the death of a long time entrant named Charles(?). This would be less for my own ego, and more for the benefit of any young writers who might think I finally gave up, as I wouldn't want to be a sign of discouragement to anyone.
Yours,
Leo Weber
SFWoE Note: Leo Weber, author of 29 stories submitted to the 2001 SFWoE Contest and an active contestant for over twenty years, is our "Supereminent Contestant." And now you know why!
SFWoE thanks Leo Weber for allowing SFWoE to place his letter on the SFWoE Website. The very best of luck, Leo, with your stories in the future. Keep in touch.
If the reader would like to view Leo's online poem, click on the SFWoE Swirl below.
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