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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/670-.html
Contests & Activities: October 19, 2005 Issue [#670]

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Contests & Activities


 This week:
  Edited by: Melissa is fashionably late! 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

What fun would the world be if you didn't have Writing.com? What fun would Writing.com be if it didn't have interactives and contests?

If you have a hard time finding something fun to do, then this newsletter's for you!


Word from our sponsor

ASIN: B000FC0SIM
Amazon's Price: $ 12.99


Letter from the editor

The Rule of Thumb


So you've decided to host a contest on Writing.Com. You've got your method of contest medium chosen. You have a catchy title. You even found a couple of friends to help you in juding the massive amount of entries you're anticipating. You create your contest item, title it, give it a description. Then it comes time to declare the rules for entry.

But what should the rules be? Is there a standard? Are there any helpful hints in knowing what to predict you will need a rule for? Maybe not, but perhaps this bit of information will help you.

First, brainstorm and ask yourself all of the questions that a visitor and possible entrant to your contest would ask:

         *Bullet*  When will your contest start?
         *Bullet*  When will your contest end?
         *Bullet*  What kind of writing will you accept in your contest (poetry, short stories, etc.)?
         *Bullet*  How would you like items submitted (email, bitem post, In&Out post, etc.)?
         *Bullet*  What content rating are you willing to accept as entries?
         *Bullet*  Will there be an entry fee?
         *Bullet*  How long will it take you to judge?
         *Bullet*  What if you need to add or change rules?
         *Bullet*  What if someone doesn't follow the rules that you've declared?

Generally, when I'm thinking up the rules for my contests, I try to answer as many questions as possible for my possible entrants. That way, they aren't discouraged because they're unsure and have to ask.

I try to list my rules out so that they're easy to read, and stand out from the rest of the contest's description. This can be accomplished by using ML tags and bolding, italicizing, underlining, and even changing the font color. Using various emoticons, such as {e:star} or {e:idea} can also help to highlight each individual rule.

An example rule section would look something like this:

Rules


*Star* Contest opens Friday, October 21, 2005 at 12:00 am.
*Star* Contest closes Friday, October 28, 2005 at 11:59 pm.
*Star* Short stories (1,000 words and under) and poetry (40 lines and under) accepted.
*Star* Please submit your entry within the forum using a bitem link ({bitem:#######}).
*Star* All items must be rated 18+ or below.
*Star* No entry fee.
*Star* Contest results will be posted no later than Friday, November 4, 2005.
*Star* All rules are subject to change at the discretion of the contest owner, without notification. It is the responsibility of the entrant to become and remain fully aware of all rules upon entering this contest.
*Star* Any questions about the above rules should be directed in an email to the contest owner. Questions posted within the forum will be considered off topic and deleted at the contest owner's discretion.
*Star* Entries not abiding by the posted rules will be disqualified at the contest owner's discretion. Entries may be resubmitted if done so in a way that is not disqualifying.

Making your rules as clear as possible will help your entrants understand what they need to do to prevent from being disqualified.

I hope that you found this helpful! Until next time, keep reading, writing, reviewing, and entering!


Editor's Picks

 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


 
Image Protector
The Price of Royalty Open in new Window. [GC]
The Sequel of "The Flames of Madeoc"
by StephBee Author Icon


Celebrities of Writing.Com Auction Open in new Window. [E]
An auction to support RAOK (and maybe get YOU to the Writing.Com Convention!) - June 9-14
by C.W.C. Auction Author Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor


 Invalid Item Open in new Window. []

by A Guest Visitor

 
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: B01MQP5740
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99


Ask & Answer

Wow! What a treat it was to see my "Invalid ItemOpen in new Window. listed in this newsletter! As with everything with that group, that auciton is very special to me!
You made many great points about auctions - thanks for that! *Smile*

                    -Tigger thinks of Prancer Author Icon

You're welcome. *Smile* And I'm glad that you found the auction piece to be informative!

Hey Mel!
I'd like to auction off "The Dialogue 500Open in new Window. Contest that you keep overlooking in your newsletter *Laugh*

                    -billwilcox

Hey Bill! Thanks for the shameless plug. I'll be expecting my 500,000 GPs via email in the next 24 hours! *Laugh*

Mel, a lovely balanced view of auctions provided in your editorial. Good job! *Smile*
                    -Puditat Author Icon

Thanks, Puditat! *Smile* I'm glad that you enjoyed it.

Very good informational piece on auctions. Thank you. It makes me wonder how anyone would have time for writing and reviewing while running an auction.
                    -Rixfarmgirl Author Icon

I've often wondered the same. While I've never run an auction, I do know that running one requires a lot of work and I admire anyone who can do so successfully!



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