Hallo Sticky Draconic Vampire saysHH !
I will be reviewing your work "Creature Features" for House Targaryen on behalf of "Game of Thrones"
Pluses:
What a cute cover image you've got for this activity. The yellow background really makes it pop, and I love the arrangement of the 'creatures' on it. However, it's the main forum image that really tells us what this contest is about. What an eclectic mix of strange (yet famous!) creatures featured there. Based on that alone, the writer should have an idea of what you expect them to produce for the activity.
I find your introduction to the activity interesting. You state that you've always wanted to host a contest, but felt you never had the time (something many of us here can relate to), so kudos to you for actually creating one despite your busy schedule. It's always nice to have a forum that allows writers to try new things. It also appeared that your original intent was for only animals/creatures, but you decided to add in the fantastical ones from the sci-fi/mythology genre, which is a very good idea as you're bound to get more entries.
The rules are well-stated - as you give the writers a variety of prompts to pick one from. Deadline is at the end of every month, although you allow extensions if there are no entries before that deadline. You allow prose, short stories, and poems (all with specific word and line counts that have to be written somewhere in the item). You also accept new and old items including those with awardicons. Each participant has to submit a 1,000gps entry fee (always wondered about this tactic as there might be newbies, who don't have enough gps, who end up walking away). Still, I think I understand why you have to do that as all the gps are used for the prizes. However, if there's a low turn out for the month, you will refund the gps back to the writers.
Suggestions:
Here are a few things I noticed while reading. Please remember that these are only my suggestions/opinions and it's ultimately up to you to choose what works best.
>>Back to the cover image, and this is just a little nitpick, but anyone looking at it might assume your activity is going to be based on creatures of the sea, while your main forum image is completely different and more appropriate as it showcases more of what you're looking for.
>>I am a bit confused about the submissions. You say you don't mind awarded items submitted...however, those items will be disqualified from winning an awardicon. So, are you saying you're going to offer a different option for them? If so, you should make that obvious in the prizes section.
>>While the prizes are generous, again depending on just how much donations and entries you receive, the payout is great! However, try to make them more appealing to the participants. We are talking about your exclusive badges here...but what do they look like? You will need to actually showcase those badges, so writers can have an idea of why it's offered as 1st and 2nd prizes (because anyone looking at it now would rather have the awardicon - 3rd prize - than just MBs...or maybe that's just me. )
>>In the judges section, you just have the text 'User'. Might want to delete that and just leave it blank or put your name there.
Overall, the premise for the activity is quite interesting, but since there are a few others like this in the community, the key is setting yours to stand out and attract even more participation. Thanks for your contribution to the Writing.com community with this activity, and keep on writing!
Disclaimer: The views and opinions on this review are mainly the things discovered by the reader and therefore, do not reflect necessarily to the group, activity and/or event being affiliated herein. This is only the opinion and suggestions of the reviewer and it is still up to the author of this piece to consider this review as a corrective action or otherwise.
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