Contest Entry Discussion

[mstrom]

You know, writing is inherently a rather personal and solitary undertaking. We form the storylines in our heads, and then isolate ourselves in order to properly create and develop the pieces. Afterwards we are faced with lonely task of editing those carefully crafted words in preparation for submission. Then, and only then, do we finally submit them. And then comes what I feel is the loneliest part of the whole process – waiting. For weeks or months, we wait. Sure many of us have family and friends that offer support, but let’s face it, during that waiting period, the only one who can truly relate is ourselves, so regardless of how many people surround us, we wait alone.

Yet, this contest is an exception and really sets the bar. The fact that while waiting, we can all gather as writers in this forum to discuss our excitement, our doubts, and our apprehensions, makes this contest rather unique and special. And if that wasn’t enough, once the contest concludes we will all have the bonus of reviews by our peers, something that I await with as much anticipation as the contest’s selections. Well, maybe not as much, for there still is that impish voice in my head…um, er,… sorry to cut this short, I suddenly have an overwhelming need to once again check the polls!

[Craig Wallwork]

I sense the contract will be fashioned from the parchment of a malformed jackal, and the words which are written upon it scrawled from the blood of a virgin. Whoever wins, tell me that's so.

[Dan Hocker]

This is a contest, not a contract. Go for it. If you end up winning, but you get into the anthology too, by no means are you obligated to be in the chapbook. At least not until you sign the contract we will send to the winners.

[RichardThomas]

I do have a question for the CD guys.
There's a submission deadline getting close for an anthology that I want to submit to. It's clear that I'm getting blown out of the water on this contest so can I submit elsewhere (although until 6-22 it would be simultaneous)? I just don't want to maybe miss a chance at something.

Go for it. That's my thought. I'm shopping my story as we speak, and CD said they are open to simultaneous submissions, I believe. You could also pull your story if you feel that you are out of it. Good luck. Or see what Dan says.

[blasko66]

I do have a question for the CD guys.
There's a submission deadline getting close for an anthology that I want to submit to. It's clear that I'm getting blown out of the water on this contest so can I submit elsewhere (although until 6-22 it would be simultaneous)? I just don't want to maybe miss a chance at something.

[spernst]

I've been neck and neck with JMCraven this whole time...I can't decide if I'd rather just be getting blown out of the water or be only trailing by a few all the way to the end.[/QUOTE]

deciscion made...I don't wanna be blown outta the water

haha..quote fail...

[Draven Ames]

Same goes here! My primary goal in entering this unique contest was to gain some visibility. Considering the views we are all getting, I already feel quite fortunate.

Yet, I feel as if I must confess that hidden down in the depths of my psyche, exists a petty impish bastard whose chant keeps echoing in my head. “check the polls, check the polls, keep checking the polls,...”.

There's a short story in that, Mstrom.

[mstrom]

As much as winning a competition like this would be awesome--and it would be--I'm happy that at least 12 folks read and liked my story enough to vote for it. As far as I know, at least 11 of those folks i do not know personally. For me, that's a win in the category of having at least one person like something I've written.

Would it be cool to win or even come close? Yes. But, if not--you never know--if just one more person checks out my blog or FB page or profile or whatever because they liked my story than this was all worth it, if that makes sense to anyone besides me...

Same goes here! My primary goal in entering this unique contest was to gain some visibility. Considering the views we are all getting, I already feel quite fortunate.

Yet, I feel as if I must confess that hidden down in the depths of my psyche, exists a petty impish bastard whose chant keeps echoing in my head. “check the polls, check the polls, keep checking the polls,...”.

[normaj]

Great contest!

[jmcraven]

I am hopeful that I can get through voting in the next day or two. It seems like I've read 7/10 in each group, and my day job has us going 7 days/week rt now. So I am about worn to a nub. I hate that I miss out on these great forum convos everyday, too (this post is sent from my phone during a down time). So much good stuff here- I appreciate the stories and all of the rich information from the forum posters. I can't wait for things to get caught up here at work so I can be a more active contributor here on CD.

[RJK1981]

Hopefully, I did this quote thing right.

As much as winning a competition like this would be awesome--and it would be--I'm happy that at least 12 folks read and liked my story enough to vote for it. As far as I know, at least 11 of those folks i do not know personally. For me, that's a win in the category of having at least one person like something I've written.

Would it be cool to win or even come close? Yes. But, if not--you never know--if just one more person checks out my blog or FB page or profile or whatever because they liked my story than this was all worth it, if that makes sense to anyone besides me...

Have to agree with you there. I don't have as many votes, but do have a few. It would be great to win, but definitely not something I would expect, especially considering I've never submitted work before and because this was the first time I wrote a story that had to be so short. I don't know who voted for my story, but knowing that at least a few liked it enough to vote for it is an accomplishment in my eyes. Just confirms to me I should keep writing and work on improving. Definitely will be interested to hear what people think when this is over

[ozmosis7]

As much as winning a competition like this would be awesome--and it would be--I'm happy that at least 12 folks read and liked my story enough to vote for it. As far as I know, at least 11 of those folks i do not know personally. For me, that's a win in the category of having at least one person like something I've written.

Would it be cool to win or even come close? Yes. But, if not--you never know--if just one more person checks out my blog or FB page or profile or whatever because they liked my story than this was all worth it, if that makes sense to anyone besides me...

I am in concurrence of your statement.

[AJ Brown]

Here's the big thing to take away from this: even if you don't win, a lot of REAL readers took the time to read your story. And some of those readers happen to be Cemetery Dance employees, and we have LONG memories for what we like
Brian

Hopefully, I did this quote thing right.

As much as winning a competition like this would be awesome--and it would be--I'm happy that at least 12 folks read and liked my story enough to vote for it. As far as I know, at least 11 of those folks i do not know personally. For me, that's a win in the category of having at least one person like something I've written.

Would it be cool to win or even come close? Yes. But, if not--you never know--if just one more person checks out my blog or FB page or profile or whatever because they liked my story than this was all worth it, if that makes sense to anyone besides me...

[Dan Hocker]

ahah, i see what you're doing there. sorry to sound the alarm.

No problem. The author is fairly young, and was hanging out with a bunch of friends when they registered. So the system actually records two different ip address a "registered with" ip address and a "posted with" ip address. Luckily with the posts being made so close together here, it eliminates the ability to cheat by going to free internet hot spots to make the posts.

[RJHubbard53]

ahah, i see what you're doing there. sorry to sound the alarm.