  Contests & Activities
This week: Edited by: Octobers Lie  
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Looking for something new to try? Need a little inspiration? Maybe you just want a challenge. Whatever the case, Contests and Activities can be very rewarding.
This site is overflowing with creativity which means there is always something going on. Whether you're a host, a contestant, or just plain curious, this newsletter is for you!
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I want to thank writher for inspiring this edition.
There are so many wonderful contests and activities going on around the site and with that many absolutely fantastic hosts, current and past. But unfortunately, with the good comes the bad, sometimes. There’s no excuse for a host not to follow through with their item(s) as they have specified. I’ve seen a few excuses in the past from irresponsible hosts and the one excuse that makes me extremely angry is “I didn’t have enough gift points to award the prizes.” This is absolutely unacceptable! Relying on donations or entry fees to cover the prizes stated is wrong! Don’t list prizes you can’t afford. It’s that simple. And, if a host states that a portion of the gps raised will go to a group, the winner, or whomever, then all the participants are expecting the host to do just that. Once again, anything else is unacceptable!
As an editor it’s very disappointing to me to list a contest or activity only to find out later that it was not run responsibly. All of us editors do our best to include a variety of items for the reader and we cannot guarantee that the items we list will be run responsibly. Writing.Com cannot guarantee this either, nor can the site, staff, editors, or any other member be responsible for a host’s items or actions.
What can a member do when they encounter an irresponsible host?
Ask questions. Post questions in the forum and/or email the host. Hopefully you’ll get a reply. If not, you’ve accomplished one thing, you’ve let the host know that you are concerned and if your question is posted in their forum then other members can see it too.
Sarah Rae  wrote a newsletter back in February that introduced members to "Invalid Item" . You can read her newsletter, which is also the mission statement at "Invalid Item" .
"Invalid Item" is a fantastic idea and the members in this group are definitely very special people in my book for taking on such a task. "Invalid Item" is not an Official Writing.Com group and this is stated in the item. The group also states that many great hosts and donors do not appear on the list. There is a link to nominate a member and after being approved by the group can be added to the list.
While this may not help a member who has already encounter a ‘bad host’, it may help others in the future. I know that’s no consolation right at the moment but there really isn’t a whole lot more you can do. Like many of us, you’ve learned a lesson about a member and hopefully one day this member will be a respectable host.
If your encounter involved a writing contest try to find the positive in it. You were inspired to write, and that is something the host cannot take away from you. You now have that piece in your portfolio that you may not have written if it weren’t for that contest.
You’ve entered a raffle and bought tickets for yourself and your friends. Your friends appreciate the gesture and an act of kindness goes a long ways.
Raffle proceeds or a percentage was suppose to go to an individual, group, or charity but did not. That’s not your fault, and you participated with a generous and kind heart. Other members will see that. The host of a bad raffle will not have many participants the next time around, especially if someone will ask and post the question.
There are no easy answers or solutions. Knowledge is power, and lessons learned make us wiser. Reputable hosts can be affected by another member's negative actions. Don't let one bad host keep you from entering other contests and participating in activities. There are too many wonderful people in this community to let a few bad apples try to ruin the bushel.
Until next time...
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
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 Submitted by: Wenston
Thank you so much for plugging my "Invalid Item" !  I haven't gotten very many entries so far for August (even though it's only the 4th, lol) and I'm worried I won't get many even though I upped the prizes so much. But hopefully this being featured in the newsletter will bring more people. So thank you!
You are welcomed, but with such an inspiring contest I had no doubt that you would have many entries. Thanks for being a wonderful host and a subscriber to this newsletter.
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Submitted by: terryjroo
Ollie,
As usual, great ideas! Oh, and if you host a raffle, I'll check your math for ya!
Hugs,
Ter
Thank you! And, yes, if I host a raffle get your calculator out! I'll need all the help I can get.
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Submitted by: GabriellaR45
This is a wonderful newsletter ! Thank you so much for all of the good advice and the amazing amount of great info and guidance, you provided.. I am particularly impressed by your editorial. I don't know much about raffles though I've participated to support pals here. You've explained how they work so beautifully. For all of your hard work and the wonderful results, I've included a few gift points with warmest best,
Gabriella
Wow! Thank you so much for the fantastic email. It's always nice to hear wonderful comments. You definitely put a smile on my face. Thank you, again.
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Submitted by: trose
Thanks so much for plugging my port raiding forum in your newsletter! I appreciate it greatly, and really enjoyed reading this latest edition.
TRose
Thank you so much!
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Submitted by:writher
I guess this is a Contest Etiquette question, but what do you recommend in cases where the host does not deliver as promised? For example, it is stated that if you fulfill X, you will receive Y. You fulfill X...and nothing. Any suggestions?
Excellent question and thank you for submitting it. I hope this edition gave you some ideas. I'm sure many readers have ideas and maybe they will share them with the both of us. Wishing you well and keep me posted on the outcome of your ordeal.
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Submitted by:Alimohkon
I would like to inquire, whatever happened to the HALF A MILLION GPS CONTEST. I bought some worth 2,000 gps ticket, and I never heard of it after that.
I don't know. I used the search option but couldn't find it either. It's always a good idea to save items in your favorites so you can check the item periodically. Another good idea is to write the item number down and the host's username so that you can email them later to ask. Maybe a subscriber to this newsletter will remember and let you know.
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Submitted by:str8shooter
Only 50 contests are listed on the main contest page from the drop down menu of "site tools". I saw a contest I wanted to enter that was near the bottom of the list two days ago. Some new contests have been added and now that contest does not appear. How do I access that contest listing to recheck the rules?
Once the listing drops off "Writing Contests @ Writing.Com" you can't access it from there. You can keep checking back to see if the contest is relisted. You can also use the 'search' option if you remember the title, or if you remember the host you can check their portfolio. If you left a review of the item you can use the 'site tools' to check 'my feedback' and look under feedback sent. It's always a good idea to save items you are interested in to your favorites. Hope that helps and you find that contest.
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Submitted by:Breezy-E ~ In College
What are the best ways to spread the word? I started a multi-genre contest and only got seven entries (I would have got a few more fantasy, but they didn't have the first draft). I had Fantasy, Mystery, Romance/Erotica, Horror, Sci-Fi, Realistic/Historical Fiction, Fiction Short Stories Collection, and Non Fiction, but I only got entrants fot the first three. I told everyone I know about it, and posted it in the Writing Contests@Writing.com page. What else could I have done?
Breezy-E
I checked out "Refreshing Reviews" and one problem maybe that the word actually didn't get around like you thought. It looks like a wonderful contest. I am very impress with your participation in your forum. You answer questions and are very active. There are several ways to promote around the site and The StoryMaster  has written an article that best explains this. "Gaining Exposure Within Writing.Com" Hope this helps.
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Contests & Activities: August 30, 2006 Issue [#1229]
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