Today marks the close of the tenth annual Star Trek: Strange New Worlds writing contest sponsored by Pocket Books. Given my connection to the contest, it seemed like an appropriate time to pause and reflect on the very real impact it's had on my life these past several years.

For ten years, fans of Star Trek with dreams of seeing their story printed in an honest-to-goodness book have been sending their short story manuscripts to Pocket, where veteran author and editor Dean Wesley Smith has shouldered the enviable task of launching the careers of many new writers, including the bonehead whose blog you're now reading. In a few months, after all the submissions have been read and the cream of this year's crop judged, winners will be announced and a few more dreams will be realized. If not for Dean -- along with former Pocket editor John Ordover, the man responsible for creating the contest in the first place, and Paula M. Block, the goddess at CBS Licensing (what used to be called Viacom Licensing) who approved the concept and who remains one of the contest's most ardent supporters -- I'd probably still be just some guy with notions of writing that never quite get off the ground as I meander through my normal, rather uneventful life.

The contest brought its own rewards, of course. Nothing has quite matched the rush I felt that first night in the fall of 1997 when John and Dean hosted an AOL chat to announce the winners of the initial contest. I saw my name and story title scrolling by on my computer screen, and that soon was followed by a phone call from John. Nothing has quite equaled the thrill of the first time I entered a book store and saw a copy of the actual anthology, with my name in the table of contents. I'm sure if one were to review the security camera footage from that day, they'd catch an image of me smiling like a giddy fool as I carried that book to the cashier. Since then, I've continued to run the gamut of emotions from stunned to gratified to euphoric to humbled and even at times to overwhelmed.

That first contest opened several doors for me, through most of which I've charged at a mad sprint just in case somebody realized what they'd done and slammed them shut. I've done my level best to remember the good fortune that's come my way, endeavoring to never take for granted the opportunities I've been given or the trust and confidence shown to me by others with far more experience and wisdom. Of even greater importance to me are the friends I've made along the way: people I've met simply because they took the time to read something I'd written; fellow writers walking the same path I've traveled or who found their success through other means along with their own hard work and perseverance; veterans of the field who've mentored me or even just shook my hand and treated me as though I've been doing this as long and as well as they have; those who've come to me with the same dreams I once held, hoping for some small bit of helpful advice.

And all the while, I've kept an eye on the contest: waiting each year for the new collection of winners to be announced. I've watched as writers toil over their submissions and share them with writing group peers. I've talked about the contest at conventions and other writing-related events, answered all manner of questions on the topic wherever and whenever they're presented, and tried to point people in the right direction when they come looking to me -- of all people -- for assistance. Though I doubt anything I've said or done has helped someone make a sale to the anthology, I'd like to think I inspired at least a few people to just sit down, write a story, and send it in.

So, to those who entered this, the tenth Strange New Worlds contest, I tip my hat and raise my glass in tribute. I wish each of you the best of luck. To all past contestants, regardless of whether you're an established writer or still in search of that elusive first sale, I'm honored to be in your company. It's been a hell of a ride.

Here's to ten more years.


EDITED TO ADD: I just read over on Dean's site that he's retiring from editing the contest after this tenth volume is completed. It's too early to tell if there will be another contest (pretty much the same question is raised and answered at some point after each one is put to bed, to be honest), but here's hoping. SNW is unique among the many media tie-in licensees floating around out there, giving fans and hopeful new writers an unparalleled opportunity to create stories featuring their favorite characters and settings. It'd be a shame to see it come to an end, but even if that happens there's no denying the effect it's had on me and many other people.

Regardless of what happens next: Thanks, Pocket Books.