Contests & Activities: February 10, 2016 Issue [#7463]
<< February 3, 2016Contests & Activities Archives | More From This Day | Print This IssueFebruary 17, 2016 >>

Newsletter Header
Contests & Activities


 This week: Disqualified!
  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

I am NaNoNette Author Icon and will be your guest editor for this issue.


Word from our sponsor



Letter from the editor

Disqualified!


When you lost before the contest started.


What should you do to give your contest entries a fighting chance?


You found a contest. The prompt sparks your creative juices. You spend hours, maybe days or weeks making it the best writing it can be. You submit the story. You dream of winning that shiny badge, the ribbon, or the massive pile of gift points.

You wait.

And you wait.

No reviews, no news. The contest winners are announced. You never knew it was over. You ask, "What happened? Why did you judge the contest without even reading my entry?"

Your entry was disqualified. All that time you spent making your writing ripe for the contest was wasted because you didn't follow the rules.

Don't let that be you! Read the rules. No matter if you like the rules or not, you are bound by them if you want to compete in the contest. Rules create a level playing field for all entrants. They are not arbitrary or there to annoy you.

Why is this newsletter not about some cool writing advice? I came across the note linked below a few days ago. It is heartbreaking to see good writing be pushed aside for no other reason than a missed contest guideline. "Note: PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT After checking th..."



Editor's Picks



Here are some contests that are currently running. I posted one of their rules along with the link. The rules I copied are not the only rule! Read the whole contest page. Whenever you're unsure if you did it correctly, ask the contest owner or manager.

Here's the hard part - your story must be 300 words or fewer.
Daily Flash Fiction Challenge Open in new Window. (13+)
Enter your story of 300 words or less.
#896794 by Arakun the twisted raccoon Author IconMail Icon


All entries must be posted by link only. It is MANDATORY to use the "b-item" link.
FORUM
The Writer's Cramp Open in new Window. (13+)
Write the best poem or story in 24 hours or less and win 10K GPS!
#333655 by Sophurky Author IconMail Icon


At least once every ten days you must report back here and post a message in this forum so group leaders know you are still active.
FORUM
Give It 100! Open in new Window. (13+)
Write daily on Writing.Com for 100 days and earn an exclusive merit badge! Start today!
#1974137 by ruwth Author IconMail Icon


Must clearly be of the LGBT genre and have characters/themes that reflect that.
FORUM
The LGBT Writing Contest Open in new Window. (18+)
Short story contest (with great prizes) for LGBT characters.
#1980539 by Osirantinous Author IconMail Icon


Do not edit your entry after the contest ends, or they will be disqualified.
 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1948893 by Not Available.


Here are some activities and the rules they have to make them run smoothly and successfully for all.

Everyone who makes a minimum of 15 reviews in a calendar month will receive a merit badge.
FORUM
Anniversary Reviews Open in new Window. (E)
Celebrate Writing.Com member account anniversaries with reviews.
#1565040 by NaNoNette Author IconMail Icon


When gifting tickets, please provide usernames and not handles to prevent tickets from possibly being gifted to the wrong member
 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2055045 by Not Available.


Finish the line with the funniest response you can think of.
FORUM
Cards Against Authors Open in new Window. (18+)
A poetry game inspired by Cards Against Humanity!
#2045467 by JayNaNoOhNo Author IconMail Icon


You can rant, chat, ask for reviews, offer reviews, advertise activities, pretty much anything! Just have fun!
 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1977162 by Not Available.


If you see Andre the Blog Monkey, (He's AWOL again *FacePalm*) let him know he's needed to tend bar in the club room.
 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1985857 by Not Available.

 
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!



Ask & Answer

My last newsletter "Be PreciseOpen in new Window. was pretty much the opposite of today's newsletter. It was about contest hosts having to make sure their rules are clear and easy to follow. It's definitely a two way street, so communicate, ask questions, and give it your best.

*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
ASIN: B00KN0JEYA
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99

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.


<< February 3, 2016Contests & Activities Archives | More From This Day | Print This IssueFebruary 17, 2016 >>

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.