The novelette The Deadliest of Games did not place in the Writers of the Future contest. I just got the notification.
Unfortunately, there are few markets for this length for new writers. Most markets I’ve found only publish the novelette length when the author is well-known. I won’t give up. I think it is a strong story and will find a home. I just have to keep looking.
My inner critic has had its say during the writing and editing process. It keeps wanting to dig back into the story again, but there are limits to how much you can do with a story before you have to decide it is either ready or never will be. For me, this one reached that point after the last rewrite. It either floats or sinks from here.
So, back to the market lists and find another possible contender.
Keep writing.