Brian, I'm excited to begin this journey with you and this community. Taking the helm of what you've worked so hard to create is an incredible honor, and I have such big shoes to fill.
From its inception, I recognized how special the "Lunar Awards" was for speculative storytelling and how significant an award that highlights talented creators in this space can be. Since then, I've been a Founding member because I believe in the sincerity of your message and the quality of your work. You've successfully cultivated a supportive, creative, and encouraging event that brings writers together from all over the world. And that's what I will strive to continue.
The sky isn't the limit for the Lunar Awards. "We're going to the moon," as they say. I'm so grateful for this opportunity and look forward to speaking with the writers and readers who also harbor love for this Science Fiction and Fantasy award. I hope to communicate with you further for guidance and mentorship throughout this transition.
Thank you for what you've done for this community, for your thoughtful messaging, for believing in me, and for your ongoing friendship. I'm blessed to have met you. May you flourish in all aspects of your life, my friend.
Thanks, Winston! I think we'll be able to set things up so the Lunar Awards are a success for years to come, and I know you'll be able to help it evolve into an even more beloved community. To the moon!
I'm sad and happy about this change, Brian. I've benefited so much from the Lunar Awards, both the inspiration and the recognition. But I can appreciate how time away from your own writing can be painful. Thank you for all you've done for the speculative fiction community within Substack. I look forward to seeing how Winston takes the franchise (can I call it that?!) onwards and upwards.
One suggestion I've thought of is to somehow combine anthology external publishing possibilities with the internal publications that writers maintain. All the talent in here deserves a wider audience!
Thank you so much for saying so, Johnathan, I really appreciate it. And you're not too far off with your anthology idea. Winston has asked me about this for the Lunar Awards submissions and winners and I know it's something he has the experience and drive to accomplish. It's more about figuring out the logistics and how the two might work together.
I like the ideas for the changes! I think that set dates would be good for people like myself who need to clear a space in my calendar for these things almost 3 months in advance 🤣 I for one welcome our new captain
I suspected something like this might happen. I always wondered why you decided to run this so often (what was it? every 2-3 months?) instead of going for the more common yearly format. Maybe that wasn't the reason you decided to make the change, but I thought it could lead to burnout if you stuck with that pace.
Either way, I like the proposed changes even if 5000 words is still on the short side for me. Most of my writing tends to be around 6-7k (which, incidentally, is why I haven't often submitted).
In any case, I'm glad you'll have more time to write and I'll add my voice to the welcoming committee, yay for Winston Malone!
Hey Alex, thanks for the useful feedback. The word count is a tough one. But like yourself, I tend to write longer short stories and can see how that may be a limiting factor for submissions. I'm definitely listening and will consider that heavily. I appreciate your enthusiasm!
Thanks for the feedback, Alex! The frequency was primarily to give authors the greatest exposure possible throughout the year, but I'm not sure it's striking the right balance. Winston may also decide on once or twice a year and make a much bigger deal out of it, like a typical awards season. There are definitely plenty of options. 😁
Thank you, Brian, and I am glad you will still be writing. Winston is indeed awesome, and I know he'll do a great job. Also, the picture at the top of this post does not do him justice!
You’ve been a fabulous leader in this community with the Lunar Awards! I’m sad that you have to step aside, but I totally understand. Winston will do great!
Regarding the changes, I like the idea of a fixed schedule (that will make participating so much easier!) and the idea of a word count increase. Not sure if the idea of pulling from an archive is as fun—I always think it’s neat to see new stories from folks.
Thank you! And thank you for the feedback on the awards. I've always liked the idea of fresh new stories as well, and it's possible with a lengthened season the archives may not be necessary. Another approach is just to say it has to be published in 2025, so an April date could be difficult for some, but once it reaches to July, then there is more time that has passed since people published. Lots of options!
I applaud your bravery, Brian. Making these kinds of moves in service of our personal goals, but at the potential expense of our community can be so daunting - said by someone considering a rather jarring pivot in her creative quest herself. I'm continually impressed by your willingness to change gears and forge ahead in new directions. Best to you, and best to your successor. 🥂🥂🥂
Thank you, Meg! I used to struggle with it and felt paralyzed by making any changes like this. But I've begun to recognize when it's time for a change versus me simply not wanting to put in the effort. I used to have problems committing, then I started overcommitting, and now I know when it's time to strike a better balance. As usual, you have my email, so if you ever want to run your own crazy changes by someone, feel free to get in touch.
The Lunar Awards has been such a help and joy for me over the year or so I’ve been on Substack. Thank you Brian for all you’ve put into it! And thank you Winston for taking it on! 🚀
Thank you for modeling “how not to burn out” and I look forward to reading more of your work! I’ve no problem with the changes. I don’t participate in the Lunar Awards so much but I do in The Pitch and Prompt Quests. Are both of those going to Winston as well?
Thank you, Leanne! The great thing about The Pitch is it runs itself. Winston and I could probably schedule it for six months or more. I love the Prompt Quest, but I think it needs a subtle tweak. It gets confused with the awards, and I think that's my fault for connecting them by allowing multiple entries or early entries to an award season by submitting to Prompt Quest. There should be a clearer delineation between the two, but I'm not sure how that would look. It's something I've mentioned to Winston and in the very least there will be one more quest before the year is done. 👍
Brian, I'm excited to begin this journey with you and this community. Taking the helm of what you've worked so hard to create is an incredible honor, and I have such big shoes to fill.
From its inception, I recognized how special the "Lunar Awards" was for speculative storytelling and how significant an award that highlights talented creators in this space can be. Since then, I've been a Founding member because I believe in the sincerity of your message and the quality of your work. You've successfully cultivated a supportive, creative, and encouraging event that brings writers together from all over the world. And that's what I will strive to continue.
The sky isn't the limit for the Lunar Awards. "We're going to the moon," as they say. I'm so grateful for this opportunity and look forward to speaking with the writers and readers who also harbor love for this Science Fiction and Fantasy award. I hope to communicate with you further for guidance and mentorship throughout this transition.
Thank you for what you've done for this community, for your thoughtful messaging, for believing in me, and for your ongoing friendship. I'm blessed to have met you. May you flourish in all aspects of your life, my friend.
Thanks, Winston! I think we'll be able to set things up so the Lunar Awards are a success for years to come, and I know you'll be able to help it evolve into an even more beloved community. To the moon!
I'm sad and happy about this change, Brian. I've benefited so much from the Lunar Awards, both the inspiration and the recognition. But I can appreciate how time away from your own writing can be painful. Thank you for all you've done for the speculative fiction community within Substack. I look forward to seeing how Winston takes the franchise (can I call it that?!) onwards and upwards.
One suggestion I've thought of is to somehow combine anthology external publishing possibilities with the internal publications that writers maintain. All the talent in here deserves a wider audience!
Thank you so much for saying so, Johnathan, I really appreciate it. And you're not too far off with your anthology idea. Winston has asked me about this for the Lunar Awards submissions and winners and I know it's something he has the experience and drive to accomplish. It's more about figuring out the logistics and how the two might work together.
I totally back this idea. Time to get my thinking cap back on!
I like the ideas for the changes! I think that set dates would be good for people like myself who need to clear a space in my calendar for these things almost 3 months in advance 🤣 I for one welcome our new captain
Thanks for the feedback, Marco! Having additional time to submit has been a popular request, so you're not alone. 😁
Set dates work for me, too!
I think the published schedule and longer story length are good. I'm equivocal about reduced entries but I guess we'll see how it goes.
Thanks for the feedback, Virginia!
I suspected something like this might happen. I always wondered why you decided to run this so often (what was it? every 2-3 months?) instead of going for the more common yearly format. Maybe that wasn't the reason you decided to make the change, but I thought it could lead to burnout if you stuck with that pace.
Either way, I like the proposed changes even if 5000 words is still on the short side for me. Most of my writing tends to be around 6-7k (which, incidentally, is why I haven't often submitted).
In any case, I'm glad you'll have more time to write and I'll add my voice to the welcoming committee, yay for Winston Malone!
Hey Alex, thanks for the useful feedback. The word count is a tough one. But like yourself, I tend to write longer short stories and can see how that may be a limiting factor for submissions. I'm definitely listening and will consider that heavily. I appreciate your enthusiasm!
Thanks for the feedback, Alex! The frequency was primarily to give authors the greatest exposure possible throughout the year, but I'm not sure it's striking the right balance. Winston may also decide on once or twice a year and make a much bigger deal out of it, like a typical awards season. There are definitely plenty of options. 😁
Great work with the Lunar Awards!
Thank you, Larry!
Thank you, Brian, and I am glad you will still be writing. Winston is indeed awesome, and I know he'll do a great job. Also, the picture at the top of this post does not do him justice!
Thanks, Jack! Winston told me that photo is a close resemblance. 😉
That's definitely my good side haha
🤣
You’ve been a fabulous leader in this community with the Lunar Awards! I’m sad that you have to step aside, but I totally understand. Winston will do great!
Regarding the changes, I like the idea of a fixed schedule (that will make participating so much easier!) and the idea of a word count increase. Not sure if the idea of pulling from an archive is as fun—I always think it’s neat to see new stories from folks.
Thank you! And thank you for the feedback on the awards. I've always liked the idea of fresh new stories as well, and it's possible with a lengthened season the archives may not be necessary. Another approach is just to say it has to be published in 2025, so an April date could be difficult for some, but once it reaches to July, then there is more time that has passed since people published. Lots of options!
Thanks for the vote of confidence and for the feedback!
Thank you very much Brian and you do deserve a break. Very sensible of you to avoid burnout. Good journey with your writing!
For my two pence, I agree with 1 and 2 on that list. As for 3, it would depend how many submissions we're talking about.
Thank you for the feedback, Evelyn!
Thank you for your hard work and dedication to the cause.
I applaud your bravery, Brian. Making these kinds of moves in service of our personal goals, but at the potential expense of our community can be so daunting - said by someone considering a rather jarring pivot in her creative quest herself. I'm continually impressed by your willingness to change gears and forge ahead in new directions. Best to you, and best to your successor. 🥂🥂🥂
Thank you, Meg! I used to struggle with it and felt paralyzed by making any changes like this. But I've begun to recognize when it's time for a change versus me simply not wanting to put in the effort. I used to have problems committing, then I started overcommitting, and now I know when it's time to strike a better balance. As usual, you have my email, so if you ever want to run your own crazy changes by someone, feel free to get in touch.
The Lunar Awards has been such a help and joy for me over the year or so I’ve been on Substack. Thank you Brian for all you’ve put into it! And thank you Winston for taking it on! 🚀
Thank you, I'm happy to hear it!
Thank you for modeling “how not to burn out” and I look forward to reading more of your work! I’ve no problem with the changes. I don’t participate in the Lunar Awards so much but I do in The Pitch and Prompt Quests. Are both of those going to Winston as well?
Thank you, Leanne! The great thing about The Pitch is it runs itself. Winston and I could probably schedule it for six months or more. I love the Prompt Quest, but I think it needs a subtle tweak. It gets confused with the awards, and I think that's my fault for connecting them by allowing multiple entries or early entries to an award season by submitting to Prompt Quest. There should be a clearer delineation between the two, but I'm not sure how that would look. It's something I've mentioned to Winston and in the very least there will be one more quest before the year is done. 👍