Fish Publishing on UserVoice

Say a story makes it on the longlist, will it be reviewed one more time after all entries are read? Just curious, that would make sense. [updated]

2012-04-22T08:01:20-07:00

Say a story makes it on the longlist, will it be reviewed one more time after all entries are read? Just curious, that would make sense.

Anonymous said:

Add me to the list--what does long list mean?

Please explain how something that was a "B" now simultaneously says it's a "C" and is "Being Marked." [updated]

2012-04-19T07:44:01-07:00

Fish Publishing Admin said:

No,
That never happens. If a FIsh Reader accidentally uploads the wrong mark then that will be changed. It rarely happens because the Readers can mark entries and then wait to upload the mark to the main Admin page in case they want to change it on reflection. We designed it this way so as to cut out quick judgements and the possibility of uploading marks by accident.
Clem Cairns

Why are your fees so expensive. £15 for one story. I expected better from Ireland a supposed socialist country. [updated]

2012-04-16T21:48:11-07:00

you have a competition for students at a price they can afford to enter or you lower your prices....your entry fee is disgustingly high and the twice the amount an avergae worker would get per hour........

Anonymous said:

I think your fees are outrageously high for poetry submissions that are capped at 60 lines. Especially given how quickly and cursorily they must be reviewed--one month from last submission date to announcement of winners. Please...

stop marking people's work as if they were children. [updated]

2012-04-16T05:06:38-07:00

If you want to mark things as B and C for your own administration purposes that's fine, but don't insult people who didn't ask for feedback by giving them a mark. It also takes away the fun/suspense of entering a competition. I also suggest that if you're going to publish shortlists or longlists then you should be doing so alphabetically. No-one knows or cares the name of a story, but it can be useful to people to be visible on such a list.

Fish Publishing Admin (admin) responded:

Jean,
We put the marks up on the pages after years of writers asking us to do just that. They wanted at least some indication of where they were at with the entry. Insult was far from our thoughts.
Our website doesn't have the facility to select the names, just the titles. The names can't be announced till after the comp is over because it is anonymous, and by then the writers will usually have found it.

stop marking people's work as if they were children.

2012-04-12T14:12:48-07:00

Jean Rafferty suggested:
If you want to mark things as B and C for your own administration purposes that's fine, but don't insult people who didn't ask for feedback by giving them a mark. It also takes away the fun/suspense of entering a competition. I also suggest that if you're going to publish shortlists or longlists then you should be doing so alphabetically. No-one knows or cares the name of a story, but it can be useful to people to be visible on such a list.

Please explain how something that was a "B" now simultaneously says it's a "C" and is "Being Marked." [updated]

2012-04-09T22:17:05-07:00

Kita Shantiris said:

Do you ever take entries that have been marked as on the long list and move them to didn't make it? I know something can get stuck on the long list and not move on to the short list, but is it possible to travel backwards?

Say a story makes it on the longlist, will it be reviewed one more time after all entries are read? Just curious, that would make sense. [updated]

2012-04-05T01:59:37-07:00

Say a story makes it on the longlist, will it be reviewed one more time after all entries are read? Just curious, that would make sense.

Anonymous said:

Me too. Lot of confused people asking this question

question about short lists

2012-04-04T23:42:53-07:00

Anonymous suggested:
I understand why you didn't want to run author names with the short list for the short story prize in the first week of March, because you hadn't chosen a winner yet, but what's the logic behind only using titles for the short list for memoir? Or short lists for contests that have closed? Then for some reason the names of postal entries are printed.

Please make it easy for the entrants. [updated]

2012-04-03T15:07:44-07:00

Kita Shantiris said:

I didn't find entering difficult. And, it's very nice being able to check that the entry loaded correctly before completing the entry.

Please explain how something that was a "B" now simultaneously says it's a "C" and is "Being Marked."

2012-04-03T08:16:07-07:00

Refine this site so it's no so difficult to submit a story. [updated]

2012-03-31T19:09:00-07:00

Anonymous said:

I would have liked to enter the contest but between Pay pal advertising a card I did not want and the site getting bogged down in pay pal I will forgo the critique and entry. Too bad. I had looked forward to participating.

Say a story makes it on the longlist, will it be reviewed one more time after all entries are read? Just curious, that would make sense. [updated]

2012-03-28T12:54:11-07:00

Say a story makes it on the longlist, will it be reviewed one more time after all entries are read? Just curious, that would make sense.

Whitney W. Wolf (Friedrich) said:

Yes, I too am curious to understand what "Long List" means...?

Say a story makes it on the longlist, will it be reviewed one more time after all entries are read? Just curious, that would make sense.

2012-03-23T11:47:07-07:00

Andreea Laptes suggested:
Say a story makes it on the longlist, will it be reviewed one more time after all entries are read? Just curious, that would make sense.

Be great to see 'Shortlisted' or 'Longlisted' (or 1st place!!) against my entries [updated]

2012-03-20T06:17:14-07:00

next to entries in author database listing that shows all your entries

Amanda said:

If it is on the longlist does that mean it is still being considered for the shortlist?

Refine this site so it's no so difficult to submit a story. [updated]

2012-03-16T03:01:52-07:00

Tom said:

I found entering the Flash Fiction competition to be a nightmare. I tried several times with several browser to upload my piece as a PDF, but I kept getting the message "page not found". I contacted Fish but as it was taking a while I just "copied & pasted" my piece. Formatting wise depending on what browser I used I got varying result. Safari seemed best (but still not great), Firefox okay , and Opera was rubbish. I didn't try Windows browser.

Now although I've entered and paid for my entry (the money is gone off my credit card) the status of my piece is still "unpaid". I mean what the F'? Any other website and this would all have been straight forward — Instantaneous. Fish get your act together or this will be the last time I enter your competitions.

Be great to see 'Shortlisted' or 'Longlisted' (or 1st place!!) against my entries [updated]

2012-03-11T01:36:41-08:00

next to entries in author database listing that shows all your entries

Anonymous said:

So in effect there is no 'second round' where longlisted pieces are normally reread before moving to the next round at Fish.Does one go directly to short/longlist?

sir if i'm afraid to pay fees then?

2012-02-11T20:41:36-08:00

Great Support [updated]

2012-01-29T12:25:13-08:00

Thank you Mary-Jane for activating my account.

Jean Thewlis said:

Thank you SO much to Clem for helping me through what I found to be quite a troublesome proceedure. I can't remember having such difficulty last year, so presumably your system has changed? In any event, I can't thank Clem enough,
Cheers, JeanT

Why are your fees so expensive. £15 for one story. I expected better from Ireland a supposed socialist country. [updated]

2012-01-25T15:37:04-08:00

Anonymous said:

Comparing Fish's entry fees to that of various journals in the States, I would say that you get what you pay for. It's a struggle for me to pay it, too, but I appreciate the quality of the writing that is chosen

Please make it easy for the entrants. [updated]

2012-01-24T12:02:50-08:00

Sakuntala Gananathan said:

You have yet to confirm receipt of my story and payment by Visa card in Nov.2011

Refine this site so it's no so difficult to submit a story. [updated]

2012-01-24T02:39:26-08:00

Fish Publishing Admin (admin) responded:

We are refining it all the time. Very few writers have difficulty with it, and for the few who do we do whatever we can to help.
Clem

Be able to edit a story once it is submitted [updated]

2012-01-24T02:37:45-08:00

I noticed a spelling mistake after I had submitted it and would like to be able to change it

Fish Publishing Admin (admin) responded:

I don't know of any competition where you can change an entry once it is entered. However on the Fish online entry system you can check your entry once it is uploaded, and make changes to it. Once the entry fee is paid it cannot be changed.
Clem

Why are your fees so expensive. £15 for one story. I expected better from Ireland a supposed socialist country. [updated]

2012-01-24T02:35:25-08:00

Fish Publishing Admin (admin) responded:

There are discounts for subsequent entries. If it is more expensive than some other prizes it's because we have good prize money and publish the winners in a quality anthology. there is also an online entry system where you can see your entry and follow its progress. It is about value for the entry fee.
Clem

Be able to change my email address [updated]

2012-01-24T02:30:13-08:00

I'm using a different email address. How do I change it?

Fish Publishing Admin (admin) responded:

If you notify Fish of a change of address we will change it on your page.
Clem

take some praise for a good online entry system [updated]

2012-01-24T02:27:12-08:00

just saying that having entered using your new online system, and had no issues using it despite some limitations to my vision. Appreciated chance to preview what was sent

Fish Publishing Admin (admin) responded:

Thank you. Most writers using the site have no problems, but we still work hard at making it easier still.
Clem

Please make it easy for the entrants. [updated]

2012-01-24T02:25:25-08:00

Fish Publishing Admin (admin) responded:

Man we are trying.
Clem

Be great to see 'Shortlisted' or 'Longlisted' (or 1st place!!) against my entries [updated]

2012-01-24T02:24:47-08:00

next to entries in author database listing that shows all your entries

Fish Publishing Admin (admin) responded:

Once an entry is read it is marked A, B or C. A means it is shortlisted, B means it is on the longlist, and C means it hasn't made the cut. You can see the mark on your Author Page. The shortlists will be on the website and in the newsletter.
Clem Cairns

Be able to submit a story in pdf format [updated]

2012-01-24T02:20:14-08:00

I can't get the formatting of the poem the way I want it in your editor and would prefer to submit a .pdf file.

Fish Publishing Admin (admin) responded:

Just choose the 'Upload PDF' option instead of the 'Paste' one.

Be able to delete story once competition is closed [updated]

2012-01-24T02:18:17-08:00

I don't want to leave my story on the system once the competition is closed. How can I delete it?

Fish Publishing Admin (admin) responded:

There is no way to do this at present. Till now we delete the entries from here on request. I is a feature that a few writers over the years have requested, and I will see if we can add it.

Refine this site so it's no so difficult to submit a story. [updated]

2012-01-24T01:52:01-08:00

Fish Publishing Admin said:

We had to rebuild the Fish website over the past several months because the old one was insecure - the code was too old. We tried, and are trying, to make it easy to use and have incorporated many suggestions from writers. Please use the help line if it is help you need.
Troubles with credit cards and so on are not something Fish can solve, because they are to do with Paypal and your own bank, but if you let us know we offer other pay options, cheques, bank transfer, for instance.
There are two upload options on the site - paste and upload PDF. The PDF is the more stable but many writers seem unaware of it or don't know how to make a PDF. However the paste option works for almost everyone trying to enter. If it doesn't it has to do with incompatibility of programmes.
Clem Cairns. Fish Publishing

Please make it easy for the entrants. [updated]

2012-01-21T05:55:35-08:00

Honor said:

Sorry but abondoning all efforts to enter competition. Will neither load as PDF or copy and paste.

Be able to edit a story once it is submitted [updated]

2012-01-16T18:20:00-08:00

I noticed a spelling mistake after I had submitted it and would like to be able to change it

Roxanne Bodsworth said:

Stories should be fully proof-read and edited before submission. Should not be able to alter after entering.

Please make it easy for the entrants. [updated]

2012-01-16T15:45:37-08:00

Anonymous said:

Besides the issue of payment. The payment process is murky, I don't think its working through pay pal because my transaction was not completed.

Be able to edit a story once it is submitted [updated]

2012-01-14T15:09:19-08:00

I noticed a spelling mistake after I had submitted it and would like to be able to change it

Rachel Freebury said:

Same thing happened to me, a glaringly obvious mistake that I only spotted when I submitted doh!

Great Support

2012-01-12T09:17:06-08:00

Mark Havlik suggested:
Thank you Mary-Jane for activating my account.

Why are your fees so expensive. £15 for one story. I expected better from Ireland a supposed socialist country. [updated]

2011-12-10T04:15:50-08:00

Mary Clancy said:

I very much agree with your expensive fees, I thought I would send a story to your latest competition but the fee made me think again. Retired, no pension, 20 Euro is a lot of money down the drain.

Please make it easy for the entrants. [updated]

2011-12-06T15:48:16-08:00

Lois Wilcox said:

Yeah, registering is like killing a bear.

Be able to edit a story once it is submitted [updated]

2011-12-06T08:41:50-08:00

I noticed a spelling mistake after I had submitted it and would like to be able to change it

Paula Read said:

I think once a story is submitted, it should be final. I say that as a writer who constantly find errors in my submissions. What's done is done, and if people feel they can constantly go back and tinker with a story, then that's exactly what they'll do. Don't send it if it isn't done, and if it isn't done, don't send it.

Why are your fees so expensive. £15 for one story. I expected better from Ireland a supposed socialist country. [updated]

2011-12-06T02:25:30-08:00

carmenestevez42 said:

Yes,it is expensive but then again most competitions are for students and those of us living on a pension. I guess chocolate and wine will have to become less important in my diet if I want to conrtinue writing.

Give Clem(entine?) a raise or buy him/her a beer [updated]

2011-12-06T02:12:51-08:00

Ash said:

or whoever revamped the system. hey it's christmas why not a round?

take some praise for a good online entry system

2011-12-06T02:11:26-08:00

Ash suggested:
just saying that having entered using your new online system, and had no issues using it despite some limitations to my vision. Appreciated chance to preview what was sent

Refine this site so it's no so difficult to submit a story. [updated]

2011-12-03T06:48:52-08:00

Anonymous said:

For some unexplained reason my credit card is not acceptable for payment although the funds are there. So I am not able to enter my story or receive feedback.

Probably just as well; I suspect these competitions are more of a cash cow for hard up publishing outfits than anything of much value to entrants. It seems more a case of writers subsidising a dying industry than any kind of real opportunity for people trying to break through into a career. Think I'll buy myself a copy of Samuel Beckett's Letters with the money instead.

Why are your fees so expensive. £15 for one story. I expected better from Ireland a supposed socialist country. [updated]

2011-12-02T16:08:30-08:00

Lariane said:

I know, for those of us whom do not work it is very hard.

Refine this site so it's no so difficult to submit a story. [updated]

2011-12-02T12:27:30-08:00

Paula Paige said:

I absolutely agree with the other comments. As I've already said in emails to which I've had no response 1) there is no indication of how to enter more than one story before checking out
2) I had multiple e books added to my bill, which I can't delete (though the tab says delete, it won't). Should I just give up? You may be losing some good writers here!

Refine this site so it's no so difficult to submit a story. [updated]

2011-11-29T12:32:10-08:00

Anonymous said:

Site seems sluggish and full of dead-ends. Tried logging in. No luck, although I know I've entered before. Tried "re-set password." The screen just looked back at me--blankly.

Refine this site so it's no so difficult to submit a story. [updated]

2011-11-28T20:10:02-08:00

Anonymous said:

ditto - I won't be able to enter either, quite frustrated and disappointed

Refine this site so it's no so difficult to submit a story. [updated]

2011-11-28T11:34:21-08:00

David Kotok said:

I cannot cut and paste a story - the site goes back to blank. The words won't stick to the site. I guess I won't be able to enter.

Please make it easy for the entrants.

2011-11-24T21:48:27-08:00

Why are your fees so expensive. £15 for one story. I expected better from Ireland a supposed socialist country.

2011-11-24T03:09:19-08:00

David suggested:
you have a competition for students at a price they can afford to enter or you lower your prices....your entry fee is disgustingly high and the twice the amount an avergae worker would get per hour........

Refine this site so it's no so difficult to submit a story. [updated]

2011-11-23T03:26:56-08:00

Anonymous said:

Agree. Can't get past the log-in!