Author Topic: Hey, what's going on with that under-300-word contest? (Read 39954 times)

Jim · **on:** January 05, 2007, 09:13:27 PM

Just wondering... is that still going on?

I forget what we're supposed to do with our entries.

How are we going to vote, again?

SFEley · **Reply #1 on:** January 06, 2007, 05:23:17 AM

Thanks for the reminder, Jim. I finally put the whole thing in writing and posted it on the main site:

http://www.escapepod.org/2007/01/06/300-word-flash-contest/

I'll soon make a board here and start posting the contest entries we've already got. Voting will be by means of the forum's poll feature. Sound like a plan?

slic · **Reply #2 on:** January 06, 2007, 05:44:31 AM

In put this in the comments as well, not sure what goes where yet:
One quick point - you mentioned in the podcast a max of three submissions per author (I’m guessing to avoid getting an avalanche of entries from the same person). Is that still true - I didn’t see it in the info above.

SFEley · **Reply #3 on:** January 06, 2007, 05:46:24 AM

Yes, and I edited the post. Thanks for the reminder. >8->

Jim · **Reply #4 on:** January 06, 2007, 02:51:18 PM

Is there a way to lock a forum thread while still allowing voting?

SFEley · **Reply #5 on:** January 06, 2007, 04:13:53 PM

I'm not sure. Why should the thread be locked?

Bdoomed · **Reply #6 on:** January 06, 2007, 07:19:14 PM

so there arent unnecessary posts while the votin is goin on...
but i dont think it should be locked (but those unnecessary posts could just be deleted)

SFEley · **Reply #7 on:** January 06, 2007, 07:21:34 PM

Quote from: Bdoomed on January 06, 2007, 07:19:14 PM

so there arent unnecessary posts while the votin is goin on...

What do you mean by "unnecessary?" Do you feel that people shouldn't comment on the stories during that time?

Bdoomed · **Reply #8 on:** January 06, 2007, 07:24:37 PM

i think there should be a separate thread for story comments, so it would be more organized for the contest.
also someone who really likes a story could write a great review of it, maybe biasing other voters. by having it all separate you have a smaller chance of that happening.

i also think that all submissions should be submitted before voting starts, so have everyone post their stories but dont run the poll until submissions close.

SimplyScripts · **Reply #9 on:** January 07, 2007, 10:56:21 PM

Steve,

Hope you don't mind, I've posted the 300 word contest info to my site here (primarily a screenwriting site). Not sure if you wanted to limit the reach on this to EP regulars or not.

Regarding the posting of the stories, I'd recommend (based upon running several one week writing contests) that you post the stories in one fell swoop rather than posting them as you get them. This generally gives everyone a fairly even chance of getting read. If you dribble them out over the course of a week, the first few stories get a lot of reads and comments and drowns out the later posted stories. To "Bdoomed's" point, you will get a lot of posts to the effect of , "Cool" and "I liked this story" which runs up the 'replied to' numbers and give the appears that one story may be more popular than another.

Just some thoughts.

Don
webmaster
http://www.simplyscripts.com

Laieanna · **Reply #10 on:** January 08, 2007, 04:08:53 AM

I agree with the last two posts. I believe this could occur and kinda make things screwy.

I asked this question elsewhere, but want to make sure I cover all the areas....for those of us who have our own story telling podcast, can we post our story there before the contest or would you prefer we wait till after the deadline?

slic · **Reply #11 on:** January 09, 2007, 06:09:02 PM

If there is a high volume of entries then I see one problem with holding all the stories back. Voters would be overwhelmed having to read say 100 to 200 stories, so most probably won't. This happens already in contests at www.irtc.org

I don't have a good answer just some ideas:
Release them in blocks of 10 or so in the form of heats - top two qualify to the next round, and so on.
Realize that early submitters will have an edge, and leave it at that - this may help in minimizing a glut of submissions on Jan 31st.
Not sure about SMF, but GeekLog polls "forget" that you voted (I'm assuming a cookie expires) and allow users to vote multiple times.

Jonathan C. Gillespie · **Reply #12 on:** January 10, 2007, 06:03:39 PM

I want to back up those comments; I've seen contests where gradual postings of submissions have been done, and they don't always work out well. Just my two groks.

DKT · **Reply #13 on:** January 11, 2007, 12:15:00 AM

I can't wait to see some of the stuff everyone's written!

And not to beat anyone over the head, but I'd also rather read all the stories (or as many as possible) before I read what other people think about them. I think it'd be a more even playing field that way.

WheelMan · **Reply #14 on:** January 12, 2007, 02:35:11 AM

I'm unfamiliar with the SMF software, but presumably it has a way of making posts locked in such a way that only an Admin or Moderator can post to it. Seems like this would be the best option in dealing with the situation of posting stories, while limiting comments to a separate thread.

Just a thought.

Jim · **Reply #15 on:** January 12, 2007, 03:01:08 AM

It looks like we're all on here at the same time right now. We should open up a Skype chat room.

Thaurismunths · **Reply #16 on:** January 18, 2007, 09:14:10 PM

Quote from: SimplyScripts on January 07, 2007, 10:56:21 PM

If you dribble them out over the course of a week, the first few stories get a lot of reads and comments and drowns out the later posted stories.

That's a pretty valid point, if all stories are being judged against all stories.
But as they're being released in batches, and each story is only competing against other stories in its batch, it won't be a problem.
The top stories in the first coupld batches might get three times as many votes as the top stories in the final batch, but when the move up to the finals all previous votes are forgotten.

Does anyone have input on the idea of keeping stories and comments seperate? (it was mentioned under the judging thread by smartbombradio)

Russell Nash · **Reply #17 on:** January 19, 2007, 08:52:16 AM

Quote from: Thaurismunths on January 18, 2007, 09:14:10 PM

Does anyone have input on the idea of keeping stories and comments seperate? (it was mentioned under the judging thread by smartbombradio)

Comment away on the story threads just be civilized(Not a real problem with EPers). It's just that the author isn't allowed to give away who wrote it. The stories are to be totally anonymous

Laieanna · **Reply #18 on:** January 23, 2007, 05:56:07 PM

I gotta say, I'm real impressed with the comments made on the contest stories. I'm timid about my writing and always afraid of what comments might come through. Escape Pod is intimidating cause I've seen some of the comments placed for the really great stories that make the podcast. But here everyone is very nice and gentle and if they don't like the story, they give nice constructive criticism that's not harsh in anyway. I know it's the rule to not bash, but there are ways of being mean and getting away with it. So, if I happen to have some stories pop up on this contest, I'm confident enough to take a peek at everyone's opinion. I'll just keep my woobie near by.

The Word Whore · **Reply #19 on:** January 25, 2007, 02:31:26 PM

I was way behind in my listening and just finished catching up...
Really want to participate in this contest (I've never attempted sci-fi before),
but just found out this morning

Probably cutting it way too close, but I'm going to give it a shot!
~tWW

smartbombradio · **Reply #20 on:** January 25, 2007, 02:41:17 PM

I think you've got a couple days left.

Shaun Farrell · **Reply #21 on:** January 26, 2007, 02:52:57 AM

Quote from: The Word Whore on January 25, 2007, 02:31:26 PM

Probably cutting it way too close, but I'm going to give it a shot!
~tWW

Sometimes we do our best work when there is no time and we just have to trust our instincts. Good luck!

The Word Whore · **Reply #22 on:** January 29, 2007, 12:16:34 AM

Wow, this is really tough! I've whittled it down to 419 words $:-\$

...newfound respect for all entrants!!!

Laieanna · **Reply #23 on:** January 29, 2007, 03:56:23 PM

Quote from: The Word Whore on January 29, 2007, 12:16:34 AM

Wow, this is really tough! I've whittled it down to 419 words $:-\$

...newfound respect for all entrants!!!

What's worse is getting it down to the required word count then reviewing it after it's been submitted and contemplating all the changes you should have made. Ack!

Makes your 800 words look massive, doesn't it?

The Word Whore · **Reply #24 on:** January 30, 2007, 05:19:14 PM

sure does

I did finish it and submit it yesterday... woo hoo
(but, in truth, not quite sure it even qualifies as sci-fi) –

kind of freaked me out having to use my 'real name' though!
I trust our dear Mr Eley not to reveal my secret identity

Author Topic: Hey, what's going on with that under-300-word contest? (Read 39954 times)

Russell Nash