Contests & Activities: November 15, 2011 Issue [#4702]
<< November 8, 2011Contests & Activities Archives | More From This Day | Print This IssueNovember 22, 2011 >>

Newsletter Header
Contests & Activities


 This week: Read the Rules
  Edited by: NaNoNette Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

There was a day, last week or a decade ago, that you typed "writing" into your search engine. You wanted to show off some of your poems, short stories, or maybe even get feedback for a whole novel. You found Writing.com.
On this site, you found all that you searched for: Portfolio space, helpful reviewers, encouraging groups, style and grammar lessons from peers. Nothing prepared you for the amazing bounty of: Contests & Activities!



Word from our sponsor

ASIN: B085272J6B
Product Type: Kindle Store
Amazon's Price: $ 9.99


Letter from the editor

Read the Rules


Reading and following the rules to contests is the first step to winning.

On Writing.Com and for most activities in real life, there are rules to follow. It doesn't matter what it is you are trying to accomplish, but chances are, there is a set of rules you have to follow in order to do what you want or have to do.

Rules in writing contest are made for a number of reasons, mostly they are there to create stakes that are high enough to create a competition.

*Hourglass* Time
Every contest stars on a certain day and has a submission deadline. If you are late, you are late. Yes, some contest hosts will be lenient, but most will enforce their time limit. Some contests run daily or weekly, some monthly, allowing late entries dilutes one of the main hurdles of the contest. Yes, I have seen in my time here a piece of over 10,000 words be turned down from a contest for being a few hours late. Fair is fair.

*Cut* Word Count
The majority of contest have word count requirements. There are contests that ask for 55 words or 100 words exactly. There are contests where you can have up to 869 or 1000 words. There are also contests where your story may not be shorter than 1500 words. No matter what the word count requirement of a contest is, it is a rule. If you don't want to write so few or that many words, turn around and go back to "Writing Contests @ Writing.ComOpen in new Window. to find a contest that fits your writing style.

*Writing* Genre
Really, I can only speak for myself, but if I ask for a specific genre in a contest I run, then I need to be able to see that reflected in the submissions. Of course, a good story will transcend several genres. Even a tragic story benefits for a moment of comedy relief. On the whole, if a contests asks for Sci-Fi, the host won't want to read about a 18thy century romantic tragedy unless there is a spaceship or time travel involved.

*No* No Means No
If you see on a contest page that something is not allowed in the contest, don't do it. If a judge doesn't want to read certain stories, there is no way to force them. A judge is a person like anybody else. If they say that only stories up to 13+ are allowed, don't expect them to read your XGC entry. They simply don't have to.

*Crown* Judge
Don't question the judge. Didn't like not winning in the last round? Write better next time. Seriously. Judges put a lot of time into a contest. Coming up with an idea, checking in the forum and answering questions. Sending reviews. They get to award the piece they liked best. If you want to impress a judge, you'd do well reading some of their work. That doesn't mean you have to write like them, but try to see who your audience is.


Editor's Picks

FORUM
The Quills Open in new Window. (ASR)
The Quills home page. General information, links and donations.
#1376303 by Lilli 🧿 ☕ Author IconMail Icon

FORUM
Paradise Cove Writing Challenge-On Hold Open in new Window. (18+)
A romance/erotica contest from The Talent Pond.
#1380461 by Jeff Author IconMail Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1781352 by Not Available.

The Steampunk Boiler Room Open in new Window. (E)
Discuss, learn, practice, promote, write and review Steampunk, Sci-fi & Fantasy with us.
#1776068 by Beck Firing back up! Author IconMail Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1823946 by Not Available.

Newbie Welcome Wagon Open in new Window. (ASR)
Do You Enjoy Reviewing NEW Members to Welcome Them to WdC? Earn Goodies for Your Reviews!
#1814944 by River Author IconMail Icon

FORUM
Angel Product Reviews Open in new Window. (ASR)
Learn all about doing product reviews for WDC and earn merit badges for your effort! Fun!
#1209679 by iKïyå§ama Author IconMail Icon

 Swiss Group Open in new Window. (ASR)
In memory of Judith Bierman, a group for aspiring writers
#1818693 by Florence C. Author IconMail Icon

Three Word Mayhem! Open in new Window. (13+)
Mayhem is afoot!
#555590 by Jay's debut novel is out now! Author IconMail Icon

Corrupt-A-Wish Open in new Window. (13+)
Be careful what you wish for! A simple but fun and creative game! :)
#1789698 by Zephyrwolf Author IconMail Icon

 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Word from Writing.Com

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

Don't forget to support our sponsor!

ASIN: B00KN0JEYA
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99


Ask & Answer

Responses to my last newsletter "It Takes a VillageOpen in new Window.

GERVIC Author Icon wrote: Thank you so much for featuring our Team on this Newsletter of yours. It's a great honor for me as a leader of "Invalid ItemOpen in new Window..

My pleasure. Anything that increases WdC member's exposure around the community is good.

Jeff Author Icon wrote: Thanks for featuring the Write-A-Thon in this week's newsletter! You're the best! *Delight*

*Blush* Thank you for hosting it.

*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

This form allows you to submit an item on Writing.Com and feedback, comments or questions to the Writing.Com Newsletter Editors. In some cases, due to the volume of submissions we receive, please understand that all feedback and submissions may not be responded to or listed in a newsletter. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback you can provide!
Writing.Com Item ID To Highlight (Optional):

Send a comment or question to the editor!
Limited to 2,500 characters.
Word from our sponsor

Removal Instructions

To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.


<< November 8, 2011Contests & Activities Archives | More From This Day | Print This IssueNovember 22, 2011 >>

This printed copy is for your personal use only. Reproduction of this work in any other form is not allowed and does violate its copyright.