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Contests & Activities: July 08, 2015 Issue [#7082]

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Contests & Activities


 This week: With the Flow or Against the Grain?
  Edited by: spidey 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

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Welcome to the Contests & Activities Newsletter. I'm spidey Author Icon, and I'm your Editor this week!



Word from our sponsor



Letter from the editor

With the flow or Against the Grain


Have you noticed that certain times of the year lend to certain types of activities or focus on particular genres? October tends to focus on Horror, February on Love, December on Christmas, etc. I think there are both positives and negatives to hosting contests with common and timely themes.

*Thumbsup* People are already thinking about the topic. October tends to bring out the horror-lovers in many readers! It makes sense to have a Horror themed contest at that time. Even if you host a contest for another genre (Romance, for instance), don't be surprised if you get entries with a Horror/Thriller twist to it!

*Thumbsdown* People might be sick of seeing that genre everywhere. Personally, I'm not a Romance reader, so I tend to avoid reading a lot in February when the site gets all lovey-dovey. *Laugh* Hosting a contest that has a differing or contrasting genre might be a nice relief for some writers who aren't into the mainstream.

*Thumbsdown* Not all holidays are celebrated all over the world (or are celebrated at different times of the year). The majority of WDC members are located in the United States of America, so you'll see much focus on US holidays. That can leave out those located in other countries.

*Thumbsup* The plus side of catering to the majority is that you'll most likely have more entries and participants.

A few things to think about:

*Idea* Maybe have an alternative category in a contest/activity for WDC members who don't fall into the majority.

*Idea* Ask for ideas! Create a poll or survey asking members what types of genres, categories or item types they'd like to have featured in your contest/activity. Maybe their suggestions will inspire you!

*Idea* Be open to new ideas, and take risks! Maybe hosting Christmas in July will actually attract a lot of participants! You never know!


Regardless of the time of year, I think there are always plenty of contests & activities going on! There's sure to be something to inspire you. Try browsing the Contests & Activities plug pages, read through Newsletters, and keep an eye on members' signatures, billboards and Newsfeeds! There are always plenty of things going on with a wide variety. *Smile*


As always, keep on writing!


Editor's Picks





Contests:



Official Writing.Com Contests & Activities:

 
Image Protector
Good Deeds Get CASH! Open in new Window. [E]
Write reviews to win cash prizes!
by Writing.Com Support Author Icon

 
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Rhythms & Writing: Official WDC Contest Open in new Window. [E]
Use the music provided to inspire your writing!
by Writing.Com Support Author Icon





Contests/Activities:

Image Protector
The Lair Contest (Mythical Creatures) Open in new Window. [ASR]
Monthly Mythical Creatures writing contest. Stories or epic poems - you choose!
by Beacon's Anchor 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

Image Protector
Cards Against Authors Open in new Window. [18+]
A poetry game inspired by Cards Against Humanity!
by Jayngle Bells Author Icon

 The Banana Contest! Open in new Window. [ASR]
In which an odd but amusing contest prompt is provided
by Mumsy 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



Some contest resources:
How to Create a Contest Open in new Window. [ASR]
Things you need to know before you open a contest. Includes a contest template.
by Angels in my Ear Author Icon

"Create/Edit a Message ForumOpen in new Window.
Newbie Hyperlinking 101 - Bitem Format Open in new Window. [E]
Learn the ins and outs of creating a link using the bitem format.
by NickiD89 Author Icon





Know of some gems that deserve exposure? Submit them in the feedback form or submission form at the end of this Newsletter, and I'll put them in my next one!



 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
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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!



Ask & Answer


My last newsletter, ("Contests & Activities Newsletter (June 10, 2015)Open in new Window.), discussed quitting something.

Thank you very much for including my activity "Invalid ItemOpen in new Window. in your newsletter! *Bigsmile*
~ Gaby ~ ~ Aqua ~ Author Icon

Sure thing! *Delight*



What is your opinion of the focus on certain genres at specific times of the year (for instance, Horror in October, Christmas in December, Love in February, etc.?)

*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!
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Word from our sponsor

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