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Design your own Doom competition

Started by Ed, May 12, 2006, 06:42:32 PM

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Ed

May 12, 2006, 06:42:32 PM
As I said earlier in the week, I think we're about due another competition.  CafeDoom is teaming up with Grafika to publish the winners in an illustrated perfect bound book.

Now - what do you want the competition task to be?  Let's have some suggestions out of you :afro:

What's the theme going to be?
When's the deadline?
Would you like to add anything a bit quirky?
Should the entries be viewable by all, or kept hidden?

Please feel free to chew the fat and kick a few ideas around - let's make it a good comp :smiley:
Planning is an unnatural process - it is much more fun to do something.  The nicest thing about not planning is that failure comes as a complete surprise, rather than being preceded by a period of worry and depression. [Sir John Harvey-Jones]

Ed

#1
May 13, 2006, 02:38:20 PM
Anybody out there?  Hello?  :huh:  Hello? :/
Planning is an unnatural process - it is much more fun to do something.  The nicest thing about not planning is that failure comes as a complete surprise, rather than being preceded by a period of worry and depression. [Sir John Harvey-Jones]

Walker

#2
May 13, 2006, 02:47:22 PM
Okay. How about this?
I was thinking we should offer it in audio format as well. We could make up cd's and offer them with the book. We could likely find a few people who would read a story or two, I know I could be talked into one.
For a theme, since one may be just as good as another, I'm going to throw one on the table--
'Death in the desert.'
I'll have to think about the other stuff later because I'm just getting ready to take off for a mothers day BBQ.
Anyone else have some ideas?
"Lord, here comes the flood, we will say goodbye to flesh and blood. If, again, the seas are silent in any still alive, it'll be those who gave their island to survive. Drink up, dreamers, you're running dry."
Peter Gabriel.

doolols

#3
May 14, 2006, 05:51:49 PM
Sorry, everyone. Been away again, and then to tea at friend's. Happy days.

How about a modern theme? What about an environmental theme? Could be anything about global warming, a post apocolytic sci-fi Bladerunner-type thing, or anything set from now to, say, 20 years' time. But something with a link to the environment. Lack of water, lack of oil, lack of caring for the rest of the non-industrialised world?

I like the sound of a CD or MP3 - maybe we could have free downloadable MP3s as a taster for the book? I think that's one of the problems with marketing a book of short stories from fairly unknown writes - most people would think it's crap. The MP3 tasters would show the quality of the writing in the book, and encourage people to buy it.
*takes off marketing hat*

Deadline - how about end of June? Gives us 6 weeks from now. Entries - probably hidden or emailed, I think. We could post first paragraphs, maybe?

Just my two-pennorth  :afro:
My name is Gerald, and I am a writer (practicing for AA - Authors Anonymous)

Ed

#4
May 18, 2006, 02:14:51 PM
Sorry - don't know how I missed the replies.  Thanks for the suggestions, Walker and Gerald.  I'll have a bit more of a think and probably announce the comp over the weekend sometime. 

Something else I've been thinking about is who will be able to enter the comp.  I'm tempted to only allow entries from existing members, but participation levels can be quite patchy and the comp could fall flat, so I'll probably open it up to all comers and reserve the anthology for regulars only, later in the year.
Planning is an unnatural process - it is much more fun to do something.  The nicest thing about not planning is that failure comes as a complete surprise, rather than being preceded by a period of worry and depression. [Sir John Harvey-Jones]

Ed

#5
May 22, 2006, 06:58:20 PM
I sincerely hope there's more interest in entering this comp than there is in inventing the rules and requirements :grin:

Here's what I've got in mind -

Stories must contain one of the following:

1)  Cowboys

2)  Aliens

3)  Evil midgets with speech impediments

At least one of the characters must be on a quest of some sort.  There must be at least three well defined characters and they must each play an important role in the plot.  MC must undergo a change, or miss their last chance to change by the end of the story - could be a physical or mental change.

What do you folks think? :huh:
Planning is an unnatural process - it is much more fun to do something.  The nicest thing about not planning is that failure comes as a complete surprise, rather than being preceded by a period of worry and depression. [Sir John Harvey-Jones]

Ed

#6
May 24, 2006, 02:18:43 PM
Am I wasting my time here? :/

Feeling a bit like Billy-no-mates...

Talkin to me fuckin sel' agin, like...

Are ye...?

Yes, I are.... :huh:
Planning is an unnatural process - it is much more fun to do something.  The nicest thing about not planning is that failure comes as a complete surprise, rather than being preceded by a period of worry and depression. [Sir John Harvey-Jones]

santhere

#7
May 24, 2006, 03:27:52 PM Last Edit: May 24, 2006, 03:28:46 PM by santhere
Well I, for one, have been labouring over my story for June(which is turning out pretty good), I hardly have time you know :grin:

Personally, I would prefer no "restrictions" at all, or at least keep a bit vague so people(=me) don't feel constricted by it.

Thus I like the three options but the other stuff I could do without.

That's my two cents ;)
Simon Holm Pedersen
- Has a great appetite for booze and guns, in that exact order.

Ed

#8
May 24, 2006, 06:58:29 PM
Forsooth!  A solitary voice from the ether?  Could it truly be so? :huh:

:afro:  Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Santhere.  Point taken about the restrictive nature of too many rules - I was hoping to stimulate folks into writing compelling stories, but you're right that it might just put people off trying if it's too hard :scratch:

I'm nearly ready to announce the comp now, but I'm waiting for a sample contract from Mark Matlock, so authors can see the legal crap they'd be signing-up to, before they decide whether or not they want to enter, but he hasn't replied as yet.

I'll look forward to seeing your story for June, Santhere :smiley:
Planning is an unnatural process - it is much more fun to do something.  The nicest thing about not planning is that failure comes as a complete surprise, rather than being preceded by a period of worry and depression. [Sir John Harvey-Jones]

Ed

#9
May 28, 2006, 12:10:13 PM
Well, I'm still waiting for Mark Matlock of Grafika to get back to me with a sample contract.  As soon as I've got that I'll announce the contest.  If I still haven't got it by next weekend I'll have a rethink and probably put the book together myself, commission artists, etc.

I hate this waiting - I want to get on and set the wheels in motion.
Planning is an unnatural process - it is much more fun to do something.  The nicest thing about not planning is that failure comes as a complete surprise, rather than being preceded by a period of worry and depression. [Sir John Harvey-Jones]

Ed

#10
June 03, 2006, 07:46:01 PM
Still no sample contract and it's a lot like pulling teeth trying to get it - what should I do?  Keep chasing it, or call it a day? :/

I was really looking forward to working with Grafika and Mark Matlock, and seeing the first published perfect bound book connected with this website, so I'm frankly depressed at the lack of progress.
Planning is an unnatural process - it is much more fun to do something.  The nicest thing about not planning is that failure comes as a complete surprise, rather than being preceded by a period of worry and depression. [Sir John Harvey-Jones]

Ed

#11
June 05, 2006, 04:50:44 AM
Finally got a response from Grafika.  I think we'll have to make a few alterations to the contract to make it viable for basing a contest on, though.  For example, one of the clauses states that each author must secure their copyright in the US, before it can be included.  That costs $30.   :/ Can't see anybody going for that, for the sake of being in this book.

I'll let you all know if and how it works out. 
Planning is an unnatural process - it is much more fun to do something.  The nicest thing about not planning is that failure comes as a complete surprise, rather than being preceded by a period of worry and depression. [Sir John Harvey-Jones]

Ed

#12
July 26, 2006, 08:31:10 PM
Just to keep you updated.  I haven't forgotten about this - I wanted to get a comparison 'price' off Robert Blevins, so that I can get the best deal available for the authors, but I think he must be 'snowed under' with submissions for his global warming project, because he's not answered my latest PM and e-mail. :afro:

I'm probably going to get Brian Yount (Wicked Karnival) to print us up some decent CafeDoom T-shirts, too, so there'll be a variety of prizes for the winners of the next competition.  I'll announce it as soon as I get replies from people, so stay tuned :smiley:
Planning is an unnatural process - it is much more fun to do something.  The nicest thing about not planning is that failure comes as a complete surprise, rather than being preceded by a period of worry and depression. [Sir John Harvey-Jones]
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