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Fourth writing comp (discussion thread)

Started by Ed, July 31, 2008, 04:26:18 AM

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delboy

Ed, you hit the nail on the head with that last post. It was a real challenge for me last year to read all the stories in the time available (I can't remember what the reading period was - but it was quite short). I did read them all, but if there were thirty or forty then I think I'd end up going on initial impressions, too, which doesn't sit easily with me. Quite often the stories that I end up loving the most are the ones that have taken a while to get going and/or interest me (bit like music, those tracks that you instantly love tend to lose their appeal very quickly; but those that need work to be appreciated are the ones you still listen to thirty years later.). I guess this is why I'm not an editor!

On the subject of themes, I'm not a fan. Why is a theme needed? I'd rather be given carte blanche to write anything in the genre.

Finally, on the question of does publishing a story in an open comp worry me from a perspective of future publishing? I think if I accidentally produced something that I was really pleased and excited about then I'd be a little in two minds about whether to submit it to the competition or elsewhere. But the odds of this are so miniscule that I don't think the issue crops up (for me). In time, maybe the Cafe Doom Annual Competiton will become as prestigious as the main markets anyway! But you will always have that problem that people will hold back from risking first publishing rights on an viewable-to-all competition.

Derek

"If you want to write, write it. That's the first rule. And send it in, and send it in to someone who can publish it or get it published. Don't send it to me. Don't show it to your spouse, or your significant other, or your parents, or somebody. They're not going to publish it."

Robert B. Parker

Sallyq

What if you have the closed forum as I suggested, but tell entrants that if they don't win, they can request to have their story deleted from the forum within, say a fortnight of the results coming in? Once a story is deleted it's no longer published, is it? And won't turn up on any search engines.

Anyway, there are even ways around something being published online then being sent out to other markets. You just change the title and the first paragraph.  ;)

Ed

True, but the horror market is a pretty small pond. I think last time the comp was in a part of the forum that couldn't be seen by guests (and hence, googlebots/spiders, etc.), so strictly speaking it's not published, because it's on a closed forum.

Del - I don't think prestige will ever enter into the equation, but it's a nice thought. I'm trying to put together a deal with a couple of partners to add a little spice to the comp, though, this time around. Could be the winner will end up in print, as well as receiving a nice little wad :afro:
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]

Sallyq

I must admit that I like the fact that the Cafe Doom comp is more of a family affair. We all know each other, and even if a few extra people join at the time, there's still that intimacy about the competition.

But given how much you've personally put into it, Ed, you deserve for it to be mentioned among the big guns comps wise.

joneastwood

On the subject of whether the work is good to sell after being in the comp - does it count as published if it's on a forum here? I sold my story from the Halloween comp to Necrotic Tissue. I hope I don't have to give my money back...

Ed

Well, it kinda varies from place to place, but if we're talking about the chances of being found out, then they're pretty slim, unless you happen to make the admission in a place where the magazine editor is an active member and will likely see the post :grin:
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

Quote from: Sallyq on August 01, 2008, 03:48:24 PM
I must admit that I like the fact that the Cafe Doom comp is more of a family affair. We all know each other, and even if a few extra people join at the time, there's still that intimacy about the competition.

But given how much you've personally put into it, Ed, you deserve for it to be mentioned among the big guns comps wise.

Thanks, but I don't really do very much. I enjoyed last years' comp just as much as everybody else, maybe even a little bit more :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]

Grillmeat

Ed said:
QuotePaul - I can honestly say there isn't a single member on here that I dislike

Well damn, that means I have not been working hard enought.  Jeez, like I don't have enough on my plate........... ;D
OMG!! Soylent Green is people!!!

Ed

Well, it's looking like this could be the best ever (so far, anyway). I've been in touch with a couple of people to see if they'd like to get involved with the comp, and they're both up for it. More later :dance:
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

Just waiting for a response to the blurb I'm intending to release, and then we'll be underway with the comp :afro:
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]

Sallyq

Send it across to me as soon as you've got details, Ed. I'll need theme (if any), entry fee/requirements (if any), prizes (just 1st, 2nd and 3rd), judges and/or judging process, closing date and how people might contact you for more information. I'll fill in the rest.  :afro:

Ed

Thanks, Sally :afro: I intend to announce the details today. Everything is now in place and all I have left to do is start a few threads to organise the process and hopefully make the whole thing idiot proof :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]

Sallyq

Excellent! I just need to cut that down to about 200 words and I'll send it off to WF.  :afro: