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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/9399-What-Makes-a-Contest-a-Contest.html
Contests & Activities: February 20, 2019 Issue [#9399]




 This week: What Makes a Contest, a Contest?
  Edited by: Leger~ 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

The purpose of this newsletter is to highlight some of the current contests and activities on the site, help educate members on how to host contests and activities, and provide clues to submit quality entries to contests. Write to me if you'd like something in particular covered.

This week's Contests and Activities Editor
Leger~ Author Icon


Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor


What Makes a Contest, a Contest?

In my opinion, a contest is at its best when the entrants all feel like they have a chance to win. Now we all know the basics, like follow the rules, make sure you edit your work, and give it your best shot. But as a contest host, what can you do to bring in the contestants?

First of all, make it simple. For as much as we'd all like to spend all our waking hours on the internet, few of us can. So make the rules simple and inspiring. Jumping through fifty hoops and trying to decipher complicated instructions and be a turn off. Next, make it fair. There is nothing more disappointing than seeing someone who entered late or exceeded the word count win. Or stay up all night finishing an entry, only to have the host extend the deadline for a friend who wasn't ready to post.

Also, advertise! Promote the contest so a lot of members come in, view it and hopefully enter. Would you feel better winning against fifteen fellow contestants, or two? Be active and encouraging in anything you host. It's a great way to get to know other members and network on the site.

Last of all, be humble. Be grateful members take the time to write and enter your contest. Be sure to thank them.
Write on and enter on!


This month's question: Do you follow up with gratitude or do you let it slide? Send in your answer below! *Down* Editors love feedback!


Editor's Picks


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FORUM
Crack Kraken's Code Contest [Round Over] Open in new Window. (13+)
Follow the clues and decipher the message to win prizes!
#746016 by Davy Kraken Author IconMail Icon

Welcome to “Crack Kraken’s Code”! For each round, I will disguise a quote—which could have been sung, spoken, or scrawled—and your task is to be one of the first five people to decipher it.

 
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SURVEY
Quotation Inspiration: Official Contest Open in new Window. (ASR)
Use the quote provided to write a story and win big prizes!
#1207944 by Writing.Com Support Author IconMail Icon

The task is simple: Write a short story using the quote prompt as inspiration!

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1926503 by Not Available.

Excerpt: Would you like an upgraded membership, but do not have the funds to get it? Well this is the contest for you! Get your running shoes on, check out the rules and get started! You may end up the winner of a beautiful upgraded membership, built to last for three months!

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The Science Fiction Short Story Contest Open in new Window. (18+)
A contest inspired by the serious need for more good sci-fi
#2140378 by BlackAdder Author IconMail Icon

The prompt: Space Pirates! Whether your pirates swing a light-saber or would fit in Ocean's Eleven, bring your tales of betrayals or derring-do! (In space!)

 
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Good Deeds Get CASH! Open in new Window. (E)
Write reviews to win cash prizes!
#1908150 by Writing.Com Support Author IconMail Icon

Authors on Writing.Com are looking for good, useful feedback... and of course, exposure within Writing.Com. You can do a good deed by reviewing any qualifying item* on Writing.Com and you might win! Enter as many times as you want to increase your odds of being selected as a prize winner!

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SugarCube's Insomniac Asylum Open in new Window. (18+)
Night owls welcome!! Open 24 hours! Daily activities! Prizes!
#2179526 by IceSkatingSugarCube Author IconMail Icon

Are you a night owl that likes to interact with others, but find there's never anyone around when you're in your prime? Come on in! This forum is for chatting, the occasional contest, and possibly other fun activities.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2085951 by Not Available.

A drabble is a short work of fiction of around one hundred words in length.

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No Dialogue Contest-CLOSED Open in new Window. (E)
Write a story containing no dialogue, in 700 words or less.
#2079495 by QPdoll is Grateful Author IconMail Icon

This is a short story contest where you are challenged to write with no dialogue. I'll give you a topic and you create a story without using dialogue or inner dialogue.

 
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: B01CJ2TNQI
Amazon's Price: $ 5.99


Ask & Answer


This month's question: Do you follow up with gratitude or do you let it slide? Send in your answer below! *Down* Editors love feedback!


Last month's question: What suggestions do you make most often to contest or activity hosts?


THANKFUL SONALI Library Class! Author Icon replied: Great topic, Leger!
I think an important point is -- 'Did I feel motivated to enter'?
There are so many to choose from, that something has to motivate me to enter a particular one!


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