Bi-Annual Western Writing Competition is ...

[HarryHoskins]

GO!

SEE HERE FOR DETAILS (http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=234968[/B)

[bkendall]

Do we have someone officially in charge of this here competition? If so, does that disqualify them from participating? I would think so. Might be back with more later.

[HarryHoskins]

Do we have someone officially in charge of this here competition? If so, does that disqualify them from participating? I would think so. Might be back with more later.

There are two competitions, BK. :)

The second competition will have its guidelines announced nearer its start date of August, 2012.

The first competition, due to commence February, 2012, will have a sheriff until the competition guidelines are formalized and set in stone. This sheriff will, you'll be glad to hear, be me.

After that, the competition will be in (hopefully) the hands of the lovely and committed Mods of this site so everything is on the level and above board.

And, in answer to your question, yes, that means I will not be able to enter, this makes muchos sense as it will be me putting up the prize money. :)

[bkendall]

Are we looking at works already in progress or ones yet to be written or both? Will it need to be a complete work? I am getting well along with my current WIP but I'd hate to overexpose my story on the forum. I guess I'll just get started on my next work for the competition.

[HarryHoskins]

Are we looking at works already in progress or ones yet to be written or both? Will it need to be a complete work?

Good question, BK. :)

A complete story is what we're looking for. I think, to avoid any troublesome issues, it should have been previously unpublished and, to get people writing as opposed to subbing something in their story draw, it should have been written especially for the February competition.

How does that sound to you? :)

[bkendall]

Good question, BK. :)

A complete story is what we're looking for. I think, to avoid any troublesome issues, it should have been previously unpublished and, to get people writing as opposed to subbing something in their story draw, it should have been written especially for the February competition.

How does that sound to you? :)

Sounds good.

Thinking cap: ON

It's more of a button or a switch than a hat. Then again, "thinking button" just doesn't have that good ring to it, does it? That's why I call it a thinking cap.

[J'Dubee]

Harry > This sounds good to me. I'll try to get something to fit, but at the moment, I'm trying to get a project, that wouldn't fit, done, and in the can...

Maybe a short story might get written by the deadline.

[HarryHoskins]

Maybe a short story might get written by the deadline.

Would be great if you could, JD. Plenty of room for all in the February competition. :)

Your post also leads neatly into a discussion of length of piece and deadline for entrance.

I'm thinking that a 1500 word limit is favorite for competition entries -- I'd like to go higher, but think this might put off potential voters in reading. What does anyone think about this? Long enough to tell a story but not so long as to be too much for passing voters to read?

As for the competition closing date -- looking at 1st March. With a site wide mid-January announce that'll give six weeks. Enough time to write something and get the genre and the competition on the radar? :)

[Puma]

1500 sounds good. Too long and you'll lose potential readers.

On the competition dates - I'd suggest a February 1 (or 14th) deadline with voting during February (or the rest of February). You're going to kill two to four weeks after the competition ends with reading and voting and you don't want to destroy the idea of monthly prompts in the process. Puma

[HarryHoskins]

1500 sounds good. Too long and you'll lose potential readers.

Yup, I'd agree. :)

On the competition dates - I'd suggest a February 1 (or 14th) deadline with voting during February (or the rest of February). You're going to kill two to four weeks after the competition ends with reading and voting and you don't want to destroy the idea of monthly prompts in the process. Puma

I'd considered the earlier date, but Feb 1st is too early after xmas and middle of that month is too close to Valentines day.

I hear you about the voting streaking into March, but my plan is to use this to the March prompts advantage. Hopefully, interest in the genre will have got to a good level -- from people participating, or those just reading the entries -- and we can advertise the hell out of the March prompt during the process of both competition and voting, this will give the March prompt a six week leader and plenty of notice.

The idea is to have a strong continuation of activity. You start with an intro to the western in a really open form with the competition, and then we give as much opportunity and help to draw writers into the next event. This should bring in more people to the March prompt.

I understand we are risking some 'western fatigue' but, I think it just as likely that, if we pitch and advertise it right, we'll have a bigger response in the March prompt than any other we've have had so far. For example, not all of the people who enter the Feb comp might give it a go, but those who thought about it, or read the entries, might be spurred onto participate in the March Prompt.

I think closing date of March 1st (or Feb 29th) looks favourite, followed by a two to four week (dependent on number of entries) period of voting. :)

[bkendall]

Personally, it doesn't matter to me when it is. Just as long as I know far enough in advance the details. Either I'll write for it or I won't, that's up to me. I know we're going for optimal participation, but you can't please everyone. Just think about it.

[HarryHoskins]

True, BK. But folks is good for a sounding board and as givers of ideas I mighta missed. :)

[HarryHoskins]

Question about prizes:

Been thinking about what to offer and have come up with the following.

300 dollars and three western books (one classic, one modern and one different) for the winner and then a reduction of a third for each of the silver and bronze positions.

How does this sound? Good? Or do you think we should have a top five rather than a top three, to increase the spread of winners?

[HarryHoskins]

Been thinking about a theme, or should I say, lack of a theme for the comp. :)

In the red corner, we have an open comp -- no set theme, no prompt -- just a word count to keep to and all the permutations of the west to write in.

In the blue corner, we have a particular theme which might be helpful in kick starting those unfamiliar with the genre into writing it as well as making it easier for voters to contrast the entrants with each other.

Whaddya think? :)

[Puma]

A. Prizes - prior AW contests have been more along the lines of $25 for first place. I don't think you want to go overboard.

B. If you haven't run this whole idea past Mac, I think you should - a) the contest, b) prizes, c) whether or not you can run the comp or whether a moderator needs to do it, 4) voting and tallying

C. Theme - if people had ideas about the west they could write about, why wouldn't they be doing that now? I think giving everyone a topic (not too narrow) to kick start the ideas is a good thing. (It should also make the stories easier to evaluate, i.e., how do you compare a story of a maverick calf lost in a blizzard with the gunfight at the OK corral or with Wounded Knee?)

D. I personally think your timing is bad (but I'm not sure what the best timing is). I think the majority of the people on AW are northern hemisphere and writers are most likely to work on significant WIPs during the winter months when they can't pursue outdoors pasttimes. As a thought, you might want to snoop around the Nano board to see if folks there have an idea when the best time would be to have an on board contest.

[HarryHoskins]

A. Prizes - prior AW contests have been more along the lines of $25 for first place. I don't think you want to go overboard.

Interesting you should say that, Puma. :)

I suppose 300 dollars would get a lot more interest, but perhaps you are right that a smaller prize would be more appropriate.

Quick question:

In your opinion, and with regard to the interest we can generate, is less is more? :)

Also, any thoughts on the question of how many places should receive prizes? I posted this, along with the prize money question, five days ago. Any further thoughts? Top three or top five? Happy with the book selection?

B. If you haven't run this whole idea past Mac, I think you should - a) the contest, b) prizes, c) whether or not you can run the comp or whether a moderator needs to do it, 4) voting and tallying

I'm going for a 'Hey kids! Lets put on the show right here' type of a vibe.

I will, of course, ask for permission before I announce the thing site-wide, but I was hoping this would grow organically -- you know, members and mods and super mods and the owner of the board will see what I'm trying to do and give it the big thumbs up.

I'm thinking that getting people to write and getting people involved in a once dead genre is a noble and beneficial thing to do for all concerned -- from reader to writer to agent to publisher.

However, if worst comes to worst and no mod volunteers to help out, I'd be happy to take the votes and handle the whole thing. As I am exempt from entering the comp -- due to putting up the prizes -- I don't see this as being a problem. Transparency would be, well, transparent, as I'm sure the votes could be double checked if needs be.

The only thing I am worried about, Puma, is that people might use duplicate memberships or block voting to influence the result. This is certainly something the PTB would need to adjudicate. :)

C. Theme - if people had ideas about the west they could write about, why wouldn't they be doing that now? I think giving everyone a topic (not too narrow) to kick start the ideas is a good thing. (It should also make the stories easier to evaluate, i.e., how do you compare a story of a maverick calf lost in a blizzard with the gunfight at the OK corral or with Wounded Knee?)

Will defo consider this. As I said, I see the pros and cons of both sides so your input is very useful in making the final decision. :)

D. I personally think your timing is bad (but I'm not sure what the best timing is). I think the majority of the people on AW are northern hemisphere and writers are most likely to work on significant WIPs during the winter months when they can't pursue outdoors pastimes. As a thought, you might want to snoop around the Nano board to see if folks there have an idea when the best time would be to have an on board contest.

Now is the time, Puma, of that there is no doubt. We've started the western revival, but we need to push on and cement it. In trying to make the western genre work we need to take the long view. This means promoting it to -- and for -- everyone, rather than just the few.

We've got momentum, lets not waste it. :)

Answering your question of timing -- The Feb comp will (site permitting) run six months after we kick-started the genre with the September prompt. This is a goodly length of time, if you ask me.

Six months after the Feb comp, CDaniel will run the August comp. Both contests will advertise the hell out of upcoming events in the genre and -- in-between -- we'll have prompts that link to off-site competitions and calls for submissions.

When you want the genre to succeed and breathe again -- in all its permutations -- it's all win/win. :)

With regard to the 'northern hemisphere WIP problem', well, that's quite a feat of suggestion ...

I should think a '1500 word, on site, get involved in the western genre with prizes' competition isn't going to affect anyones progress. In fact, it might just give them a nice break that encourages a new angle on the piece they are 'currently' working on.

All in all, although I give your post an A overall, I have to give section D of your post a D for effort.

We can make this work if we want to. :)

[MacAllister]

Mac is fine with the idea -- but I agree that $300 is a bit over-the-top. :)

[Puma]

Thanks for the vote of approval, Mac! Puma

[HarryHoskins]

Mac is fine with the idea -- but I agree that $300 is a bit over-the-top. :)

This is excellent news. Thank you Mac for the thumbs up and saving me a half thousand bucks! :)

How does ...

30 dollars and three western books (one classic, one modern and one different) for the winner and then a reduction of a third for each of the silver and bronze positions.

... sound to everybody? :)

[Puma]

I'd make it one or the other, money or books, or you could offer the winners their choice of money or books. For number of prizes I'd say first, second, third. My opinion. Puma

[HarryHoskins]

Top three sounds easier on the wallet. :)

As for books and prizes, I'm figuring the cash (or book token prize) draws in the non western type western people and the western book type book makes sure they'll have something to read in the genre.

You draws them in and you gives 'em something to chew on. :)

[bkendall]

To have a top five you need at least five people participating. Color me pessimistic but I'm just not sure how many will be up for it. I'm sure we got at least five that would do it out of our normal group. Has anyone heard others mention this? The prompt sounds good to me because not much is getting me in the creative mood. Keep up the good work, Harry!

[HarryHoskins]

Oh, Bk! :)

Even if only us five (discounting me) entered, the comp would still be a success -- but you just gots to think bigger. This is going to go site wide and the whole point is to get people to write western who may never have considered it before.

When the advertising gets going (or should I say continues to a greater extent) I'm sure we'll see at least six entrants. :)

From little acorns, my man -- from little acorns. :)

[Williebee]

I'm figuring the cash (or book token prize) draws in the non western type western people and the western book type book makes sure they'll have something to read in the genre.

I'm thinking that's pretty astute.

[Puma]

If I remember right, the writing about animals contest (non specific other than animal) that was held a couple years ago got thirty-some entries; the western rodeo topic contest was more like twenty or less. The topic will make a difference.

And speaking of the animal writing contest, again, if memory serves, in the thirty some entries there was at least one children's book and I almost think there was a non-fiction. So, some more to mull on. Puma

[J'Dubee]

If you're taking a poll of probable entrants, count me in.
I wrote one over the weekend. Time:1855ish, Place:Lawrence, Kansas.
The people say "ain't", drop the "g's" on words, and probably spit a lot.
I'll let it percolate a spell and edit the blame thing on February first.
;-)

[HarryHoskins]

I'm thinking that's pretty astute.

Yessir, I do believe you're right. :)

The topic will make a difference.

I hear ya, keep the topic open to maximize the entries and give the best shot at getting everyone giving it a go. :)

If you're taking a poll of probable entrants, count me in.
I wrote one over the weekend. Time:1855ish, Place:Lawrence, Kansas.
The people say "ain't", drop the "g's" on words, and probably spit a lot.
I'll let it percolate a spell and edit the blame thing on February first.
;-)

Good stuff, JD. :)

Glad to have you and your funnies aboard. We'll be going for a really open interpretation of the West on this first comp, so I reckons you'll be good to go.

All welcomed here. :)

[HarryHoskins]

Been a thinking about what titles of Western novels to offer as prizes for the competition. :)

To include a wide spread (or as wide as 3 books can be) I think a classic western, a modern western and a 'different' western are favourite.

I want to get the best of the best so as to encourage an interest in the genre both during and (for the winners of the books) after the competition.

So, anyone want to provide some suggestions for a few books in each category? :)

[J'Dubee]

When submitting a story for consideration:
1. Is it posted in Western SYW?
2. Posted as a new thread, or will they all be on one thread with polling done there?
3. exact period of posting entries?
4. Are the entries to be critiqued?

Probably other questions will arise, but I haven't thought about this much.

[HarryHoskins]

Hey, JD :)

Good questions all. Lets see if I can answer them for you.


When submitting a story for consideration:

1. Is it posted in Western SYW?
2. Posted as a new thread, or will they all be on one thread with polling done there?
3. exact period of posting entries?
4. Are the entries to be critiqued?

1 - Yes -- but not by the entrant themselves (see following answer) -- and maybe the western forum as well for maximum exposure.

2 - Entries will be submitted by PM to mygoodself. At the close of competition, I will post them in single threads in Western SYW & (maybe) Genre. The voting will also be done by PM. The structure and rules of the voting system will be announced when the competition is.

3 - The proper announce date (when all the rules are finalized) will be 16.01.12. The end date for submission will be 29.02.12 so we can link smoothly into the March prompt. You may PM me your entry at anytime after the announce and before the close of competition.

4 - Not in the competition thread. People can post for crit after the winners are announced if they so choose.

Probably other questions will arise, but I haven't thought about this much.

Be glad to answer them, JD. In the meantime, any thoughts on the books that should be offered as prizes? :)

[J'Dubee]

2 - Entries will be submitted by PM to mygoodself. At the close of competition, I will post them in single threads in Western SYW & (maybe) Genre. The voting will also be done by PM. The structure and rules of the voting system will be announced when the competition is.




Posting stories in separate threads, could lead to some scrolling off to a second page.

The issue of books ~~ I dunno ~~ Donator's choice is OK with me.

[HarryHoskins]

Posting stories in separate threads, could lead to some scrolling off to a second page.

Decided on a single SYW thread with advert and link in the Western forum, this way it not only gets people into the Western SYW, but also has the password protection so that people can send their entries out after the comps over. :)

[HarryHoskins]

http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/9253/6thjan.jpg

[HarryHoskins]

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/5282/7thjan.jpg

[dpaterso]

I'm picking up a subliminal message here, HH. :)

-Derek

[HarryHoskins]

http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/9441/8thjan.jpg

[HarryHoskins]

http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/5954/9thjan.jpg

[HarryHoskins]

http://img576.imageshack.us/img576/3539/10thjan.jpg

[bkendall]

What's up, Harry?

[HarryHoskins]

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/9173/11thjan.jpg

[HarryHoskins]

http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/1023/12thjan.jpg

[HarryHoskins]

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/4255/13thjan.jpg

[HarryHoskins]

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/4724/14thjan.jpg

[HarryHoskins]

http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/364/15thjan.jpg

[HarryHoskins]

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/5281/pfffti.jpg

[HarryHoskins]

*scratches head*

[HarryHoskins]

http://img804.imageshack.us/img804/1734/clunk.jpg

[HarryHoskins]

*realizes he should've employed a Swiss, rather than British, timepiece*

[HarryHoskins]

http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/4623/flumage.jpg

[HarryHoskins]

*Employs a very British boot to the countdown clock*

[HarryHoskins]

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/8970/16thjan.jpg

Woo-hoo! :)