So I was lucky enough to exchange stories with Emery Huang, the Q42008 first place winner of WotF. I sent him a copy of my winning story and in return he let me read his. It was a wonderful experience, and one that got me thinking that I should approach Matthew Rotundo and Donald Mead and suggest the same thing.

Emery’s story was absolutely awesome. I can certainly see why it won first place. It was classic sci-fi, but would fit comfortably into the pages of any modern collection of “Best-Of” anthologies as well, which is a pretty thin tightrope to walk. Emery’s story is also topical, making commentary on today’s economic crisis.

In my opinion, this story is a cut above what appeared in WotF 23 (which was itself spectacular), and I’m proud to be in the same anthology with it. Seeing as how I’m also in the running for the Gold Award, am I worried about the competition? Well, no, since I don’t really expect to win. Emery’s story has great ideas, great prose, and a commentary on today’s society, which is exactly what sci-fi should attempt to do.

I’m not saying my story isn’t any good (I’m not THAT humble). I re-read it last night after the exchange, and despite having read the darn thing probably forty times I still can’t get to the last page without tearing up. Emery’s story is much more cerebral, whereas I like to think that my piece connects more on an emotional level. Apples to Oranges springs to mind. I’d hate to be the judge that has to pick between them.