Perhaps people are starting to get called...?

I don't know whether this is good news or bad news for you, but look at the end of this link (a blog by someone who is going to Clarion UCSD)

 

http://anticontrarian.blogspot.com/2010/03/clarion-writers-workshop.html

 

So the calls for Clarion West have started...hope everyone here gets one soon. 

‹ Class of 2010? The results are in... ›

Comments

And my rejection is in, as

Submitted by Corinne on March 18, 2010 - 3:54pm.

And my rejection is in, as of approximately one minute ago.

They said it ranked well with the readers, though, so here's hoping for next year.

Good luck to everyone who hasn't heard yet - and congrats to those who have but can't talk about it ;)

Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear

Submitted by Stephanie on March 18, 2010 - 6:50pm.

Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear that, but I know you will continue writing.  I've been following your blog and your excerpts have me hooked.  

It sounds like the readers had a difficult time with receiving so many good apps, and you should definitely feel good about the positive feedback of ranking highly.  Thankfully, the Clarion West opportunity presents itself each year.  I hope you'll apply again!

I'm sorry to hear that,

Submitted by Sandra M. Odell on March 18, 2010 - 6:14pm.

I'm sorry to hear that, Corinne, but you did apply and that puts you a head and shoulders above anyone who didn't have the courage to hit send.  Keep writing, novel or short story, and shoot for 2011!

S.

I'm sorry, Corinne :(

Submitted by ktroop on March 18, 2010 - 3:58pm.

I'm sorry, Corinne :(  

 

Did it come through email or mail? 

E-mail - I sent my original

Submitted by Corinne on March 18, 2010 - 4:01pm.

E-mail - I sent my original application through e-mail, too, so I'm not sure how they respond to regular mail applications.

My form email rejection just

Submitted by czellingsworth on March 18, 2010 - 4:18pm.

My form email rejection just now came. At least you ranked high, corinne! Cheers. Oh and my app was email as well, though the scholarship application was mailed.

I'm sorry to hear it.

Submitted by Stephanie on March 18, 2010 - 6:51pm.

I'm sorry to hear it.  Definitely keep writing.  I'll be crossing my fingers for you, hoping you apply and get accepted next year!

Keep writing!  You didn't

Submitted by Sandra M. Odell on March 18, 2010 - 6:18pm.

Keep writing!  You didn't make it for 2010, but if you keep your sights on 2011 you may get to be there when Dennis claims the mantle of evil mastermind.

S.

:(  Sorry to hear the bad

Submitted by Frank_Ard on March 18, 2010 - 5:59pm.

:(  Sorry to hear the bad news guys, but keep your heads up and keep writing!  Next year is all yours! 

check it out! Clarion Alumni

Submitted by Tracie on March 18, 2010 - 10:06am.

check it out! Clarion Alumni Eugene Fischer just hit the shelves in Asimov's!

 http://www.eugenefischer.com/2010/03/02/adrift-reaches-stores/

 

This is what we are working toward, people! Sorry the autolink's not there; the forum doesn't like Macs or something.

Thanks for sharing this

Submitted by Stephanie on March 18, 2010 - 12:49pm.

Thanks for sharing this news!  I'll definitely pick up the issue and cheer on more Clarion grads.

Cool!  Will have to check

Submitted by Sandra M. Odell on March 18, 2010 - 11:55am.

Cool!  Will have to check it out.  I am a long time ASIMOV's junkie.

I was called last Sunday by

Submitted by Dennis Y.G. on March 17, 2010 - 7:56pm.

I was called last Sunday by Leslie. I had been accepted to CW but, because I use a wheelchair, there were accessibility problems with the sorority house. For the last few days, Leslie has been doing yeoman's work trying to make this work, but she let me know today that the barriers just couldn't be overcome. I'll be joining next years class and have been invited to attend the readings this year. Leslie did let me know that my situation was not holding up the admissions process (something I was worried about) and that the list has not yet been finalized, so if you haven't heard yet, don't despair.

 

Best wishes to the 2010 class and I hope to meet some of you this summer. And my thanks again to Leslie for all her efforts.

-Dennis Y. Ginoza

Thanks for your kind words,

Submitted by LeslieH on March 18, 2010 - 6:06pm.

Thanks for your kind words, Dennis.  Wish we could have morphed that old sorority house
into a place where the doorways are wider!  I'm glad we were able to make an exception to the rule and extend an inivitation to next year's workshop so we can have more time to make suitable acommodation arrangements. I'm really looking forward to meeting you this summer at a reading.

It's been a tough week; we will be so glad to finish the selection process.  We're finally, finally almost done. Thanks to all of you for hanging in there with us.  We wish we had room to include all of the talented writers who applied.

xLeslie

Ditto what Frank and Lauren

Submitted by Stephanie on March 19, 2010 - 6:03pm.

Ditto what Frank and Lauren said!  Thanks to you and all the Clarion West admin, staff, and volunteers for all that you've done and will continue to do in the upcoming months.

 

Stephanie 

Leslie, You guys rock! I

Submitted by grewvie on March 19, 2010 - 3:06pm.

Leslie,

You guys rock! I know so many of us were going crazy, so thanks for all your hard work in notifying us quickly. Those first three weeks in March drag by so slowly--and I'm sure it's not any easier on your end. Thanks again.

Lauren

Thank you for all your hard

Submitted by Frank_Ard on March 18, 2010 - 6:14pm.

Thank you for all your hard work, Leslie!  Hang in there!

Oh, that sucks, Dennis. I'm

Submitted by Rachel S. on March 18, 2010 - 11:23am.

Oh, that sucks, Dennis. I'm glad they've got you in next year, and sorry you have to wait.

That is a terribly sucky and

Submitted by Corinne on March 18, 2010 - 2:44am.

That is a terribly sucky and unfair situation, Dennis, and I'm sorry to hear it couldn't be fixed in time. I can only imagine how frustrating that must've been for you - hearing that you got in and then... that. Sigh.

Here's hoping 2011 comes around soon! ;) 

Thanks for all the kind

Submitted by Dennis Y.G. on March 17, 2010 - 11:19pm.

Thanks for all the kind comments, folks. I wish you luck getting in this
year but if you don't, I hope you'll join me next summer in Seattle--
2011 is a prime number and that must mean... er, something.

-Dennis Y. Ginoza

Dennis, 2011 is a prime

Submitted by grewvie on March 18, 2010 - 4:08pm.

Dennis,

2011 is a prime number and it means you'll be the evil mastermind behind next year's class! But in all seriousness, Dennis, I wish you were part of this year's class (if only to ensure you're not an evil mastermind). My best friend growing up was (and still is) in a wheelchair and the obstacles she had to (and still must) endure weren't always pretty. I've always been aware of the kind of things she couldn't do that I could, but she's always blown my mind with how positive she is about getting around the obstacles. I'm glad this one will be fixed for next year, but it's not really fair for you (or any unlucky sorority pledges). In the next year, I hope your writing abilities will flourish, though, and I hope you find yourself with a couple of pro sales beneath your belt! Then you can use it to whip the crap out of that sorority house!

 Best wishes,

Lauren

Dennis, I'm really sorry to

Submitted by Frank_Ard on March 17, 2010 - 9:56pm.

Dennis, I'm really sorry to hear about your situation.  Clint is right, and I'd also like to thank you and congratulate you on your acceptance.  I hope I get a chance to meet you this year!

Dennis, I'm so sorry to hear

Submitted by Stephanie on March 17, 2010 - 10:47pm.

Dennis, I'm so sorry to hear that you can't attend this year, but I'm glad you'll be a part of the CW class for 2011.

 It's sad that the house isn't equipped for wheelchairs, given that I believe it's a university's sorority house.  (If I'm wrong about the accommodations, then all apologies.)  If I'm correct, then that's definitely something the sorority needs to fix for future students (and I don't only mean for CW students, but all university students).  I say this as a community college instructor who cares about accessibility and works with the programs office on campus. 

On the bright side of things, it must be pretty sweet to know that you're their first acceptance for next year.

 

I hope I get to meet you! 

 

Stephanie-- I too was

Submitted by Dennis Y.G. on March 17, 2010 - 11:24pm.

Stephanie-- I too was dismayed when I learned of the sorority house's inaccessibility, not so much for myself but for what it says about that particular sorority. The thought of a young woman in a wheelchair going through "rush" week with zero chance of being chosen by Krappa Frakka Zeta-Jones (or whatever they're called) is upsetting.

-Dennis Y. Ginoza

Grrr!  Totally upsetting

Submitted by Stephanie on March 18, 2010 - 12:22am.

Grrr!  Totally upsetting and beyond belief.  I knew there was a reason I never pledged in college. I'm glad the problem will be fixed for you and future CW students. 

It never ceases to amaze me

Submitted by Oso on March 17, 2010 - 9:19pm.

It never ceases to amaze me how far we still are from meeting the needs of people; mobility needs, communication needs, medical needs.  It also never ceases to amaze me how blind I am to that on a daily basis.  

Thanks for the update.  It eases my stress a tad (really just the fix to hold me over). 

It saddens me that a deserving writer will be denied access this year.  I hope the solution you reached with Leslie is sufficient.  I know a year can make a huge difference. Dude, that just sucks.

Good luck next year (and between now and then...and beyond).

-Oso/Scott

(http://scottwbaker.net)

As the mother of two special

Submitted by Sandra M. Odell on March 17, 2010 - 8:29pm.

As the mother of two special needs boys, neither of them mobility impaired, I understand how difficult it can be to make such accomodations.  Kudos to you for being chosen for next year's class, and kudos to Leslie for working as hard as she did to try and make it work.

I look forward to meeting you.

 

Sandra

Wow way to be cool and

Submitted by czellingsworth on March 17, 2010 - 8:11pm.

Wow way to be cool and mature. I'm very impressed with how easily you handled a tough situation beyond your control which is keeping you from something you want. Reminds me there's always next year if I don't get in, and I'm ashamed at my own anxiety.

Also, thanks for the comforting words and the reliable update. Way to be selfless in a way many people aren't capable of with the whole list thing. I must go write with my newfound inspiration in humanity. I also hope to meet you, dennis.

Clint

I have no idea if they've

Submitted by Corinne on March 17, 2010 - 12:17pm.

I have no idea if they've already called everyone or not, but they've definitely started. Apparently the official list will be published on Friday.

 (No, they haven't called me. I have it from a different source.)

So i take it no one from the

Submitted by Allgood on March 17, 2010 - 1:17pm.

So i take it no one from the forums has been called yet?  Either that or the CW opted for a similar vow of secrecy as the C SD acceptances apparently had.

My sources suggest that

Submitted by Oso on March 17, 2010 - 1:40pm.

My sources suggest that acceptees have been asked to keep it under their hats.  There is always the possibility that they will wait to contact forum regulars (with our big mouths) last.  I'm kind of clinging to that hope, actually.  Embarassed

-Oso/Scott

(http://scottwbaker.net)

What he said. I'm killing

Submitted by Corinne on March 17, 2010 - 1:57pm.

What he said.

I'm killing myself over here with my speculation and assumption and fears. Sigh. I'm just gonna go write, or something.

I know. It would just be

Submitted by grewvie on March 17, 2010 - 3:22pm.

I know. It would just be nice to know, over here. I just want that email to arrive, or whatever it is, so I can know and move on. I'd like to dance the limbo, not dance in limbo, so to speak.

I write every morning so I avoid all the mind bungling that steadily progresses throughout the day, but man alive...it's getting a little nutty up in the writing nest. My characters want to absorb nano-computer-tech-crud into their skin so they can infiltrate and collaborate with the innards of CWHQ's databases. And this novel is supposed to deal with boozers and cops! No nano-nothing!

I do want to say that I think it's exciting for everyone who gets in and I wish them all the best! Unfortunately, the secrecy veil is already slipping, so it just makes everyone else nervous. Case in point: http://bit.ly/dzBfhy

Power on, CW compatriots.

That's not cool, dude named

Submitted by Tracie on March 17, 2010 - 3:40pm.

That's not cool, dude named Mike Alexander. But, congrats to him anyhow.

I did some research on Mike

Submitted by Ulli on March 18, 2010 - 5:09am.

I did some research on Mike Alexander and found this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Alexander_(musician)

Not only is this guy a heavy metal musician, but he's been dead for over a year! Surprised

 

Looking back on it, we had an evil mastermind last year, now a heavy metal zombie this year.  I think CW is going for some kinda diversity program...maybe next year, I should start my essay: "As a dragon, I face many challenges as a writer.  The first of which is finding a keyboard that won't melt at the slightest burst of fire breath."

Lol that is hilarious.

Submitted by czellingsworth on March 18, 2010 - 6:36am.

Lol that is hilarious. Starting the day out with a good laugh. Thanks!

Tracie, this is off-topic,

Submitted by grewvie on March 17, 2010 - 3:47pm.

Tracie, this is off-topic, but did you see that the Venice, CA, cops tased and arrested Nicholas Brendon? So sad when our little Xanders go astray.  Do you read the Buffy comics at all?

No, I did not hear that!

Submitted by Tracie on March 18, 2010 - 9:35am.

No, I did not hear that! I've been reading the Buffy comics but slacked off a bit in favor of the graphic novels that come out later. Kinda behind on them. Some were good (the Faith and Giles side story was fun), but generally, I wasn't too impressed. I also liked the reappearance of Fray, but not the villainous resolution.

It might just be a small

Submitted by Corinne on March 17, 2010 - 3:45pm.

It might just be a small forum - I figure he didn't realise it'd show up on Google. 

But yeah. So much for secrecy. (Sorry, Clarion West people. We know you're just trying to keep us from going stir crazy.)

Incoming chaos. Now ask

Submitted by czellingsworth on March 17, 2010 - 3:32pm.

Incoming chaos. Now ask yourselves this. Is that person the same one corinne had heard of? Are either of them the same one oso found out about? Yikes...

Hey all.  2009 CW graduate

Submitted by Randy_Henderson on March 16, 2010 - 1:43pm.

Hey all.  2009 CW graduate here.

I know you can't help but be anxious and looking for any hint of your application status, but let me assure you of several things:

1) You will hear your status in the appointed time.  The site says by the end of March.  So just assume you'll hear on March 31st, and that way when/if you hear earlier it will be a nice surprise.

2) As persons start to receive their notifications, don't read anything into the order in which they are sent out (or indeed into the rejections).  Last year there was a span of days between the first notification and the last.  But that didn't mean anything.  Someone getting their acceptance notice early in the notification process does not mean that their story was the best or the favorite.  Someone getting their rejection notice early in the notification process does not mean their story was the worse. 

What you have to understand is that there are a number of readers/judges who receive everyone's applications.  Those readers/judges do not each read the stories in the same order, so it may just be random chance that your story happened to read by all the judges early on, and their opinions thus returned early enough that a tentative decision could be made on that story while the judges were still reading other stories.  And often a number of stories will get equal final "scores" and have to go into a kind of second round tie breaking process, etcetera.  In other words, there is nothing that can really be inferred from the order in which the notifications go out.

You should also remember that there are a limited number of slots.  So a rejection simply means that it was the cumulative decision of the judges that the 18 accepted students would potentially gain the most from attending THIS YEAR, it does not necessarily mean that your writing is bad or that your application letter was bad or anything like that. 

3) Write.

You submitted to Clarion West.  That automatically shows you are serious about writing speculative fiction and is itself something to be proud of.  But what remains true is that the most important thing you can be doing right now to succeed as a writer, as at any time, is to write.  And submit. 

I CHALLENGE YOU ALL TO WRITE A NEW SHORT STORY IN THE NEXT WEEK.  Not only will this help distract you, but if you are accepted to CW you will need to be able to complete a short story in a week anyway, so it is good practice.  And best of all, you will have a new short story to show for it, which will be something to celebrate whether you get into CW or not.  If you wish, I will be happy to critique whatever story you produce as a result of this challenge as added incentive, for whatever that is worth.

Best of luck to you all. 

Cheers,

Randy Henderson

randy.henderson@centurytel.net

 

 

Dangit, Randy! Your

Submitted by Sandra M. Odell on March 16, 2010 - 10:24pm.

Dangit, Randy! Your chocolate pudding is gumming up the mailroom again.  And get those robots out of the CW lobby, will ya?

*grumble*  Them mad geniuses.  You give 'em the world, and they think they can take over a workshop.

 

Sandra

You guys are awesome! Thanks

Submitted by Tracie on March 17, 2010 - 9:17am.

You guys are awesome! Thanks for making me laugh this morning. I am super sick and SO unhappy about it, but now I have smiled. The rest of the day can be faced.

No ickies!  Stay hydrated,

Submitted by Sandra M. Odell on March 17, 2010 - 1:41pm.

No ickies!  Stay hydrated, and get well soon.

Thanks for the good vibes. I

Submitted by Tracie on March 17, 2010 - 3:37pm.

Thanks for the good vibes. I need to get better so I can do something more constructive with my time than watch every single episode of "The Guild" in one sitting. I have a crick in my neck from hunching over the computer.

I hope you feel better soon,

Submitted by Stephanie on March 17, 2010 - 11:26am.

I hope you feel better soon, Tracie!

Ooooh, a critique?

Submitted by Justice4JC on March 16, 2010 - 5:33pm.

Ooooh, a critique?

Indeed.  But I ask that

Submitted by Randy_Henderson on March 16, 2010 - 5:45pm.

Indeed.  But I ask that people be on their honor to send me only a story they write in the next week.  Please don't send me an old story. 

Also, you probably all know about online workshops, but if not I recommend workshopping your writing in one (assuming you cannot find a local live writers group to join).  Examples are:

www.critters.org (I believe this one is free.  The quality of the critiques vary wildly as a result).

http://sff.onlinewritingworkshop.com/ - this one costs $49 a year, but as a result of that minimal filter there tends to be a higher number of professional authors who use this site and as a result the critiques you receive may be of higher quality. 

Cheers,

Randy

This advice from the guy

Submitted by Oso on March 16, 2010 - 2:33pm.

This advice from the guy whose robot armies were ready to march on Seattle while he waited last year?

-Oso/Scott

(http://scottwbaker.net)

Dear Scott Baker, Your IP

Submitted by Randy_Henderson on March 16, 2010 - 2:52pm.

Dear Scott Baker,

Your IP has now been fed into the targeting system of my robot armies.  Thank you for volunteering as a test subject for the Henderson Systems Chocolate Pudding Ear Injection Missile Platform 2.0.  Please do not wear hats or earphones for the next 24 hours as (additional) damage may occur during the test as a result.

Sincerely,

Randy