@skaeth Yeah, my first entry (for the first SFPBO) almost made it to the preliminaries. It was down to mine and the book that would eventually win it (The Thief Who Pulled on Trouble's Braids). I mean, that was pretty good but when I was told why mine was ultimately rejected, it seemed like a trivial and nitpicky justification so I figured I'm a good enough writer, just had serious competition. Then it took me almost a decade to get another "book one" I could submit.

There are folk that like Flight, but between that DNF, Covid, end of the 300 week sprint, self-doubt, and a pitiful self-esteem... I basically gave up on Flight after that. And I've been slow walking Allegro for the same reason. Same with Nor Curse.

It's an irrational response, I know, but it's really hard to get past the "everything you write sucks" that constantly echoes in the back of my head. Coupled with the burnout from the 300 week, I've been unable to write anything new. :(