Themed Contest Off-Topic Discussion

[TxRad]

Now, if the group is through trying to deflect everyone away from the question. Why is a story allowed in two days past the deadline to enter and why is it the same person or people all the time?

 

[Carnal_Flower]

Uncomplicated answer, he submitted it at 11:59 and it took two days to process.
Complicated answer he used his connections in the Texas mafia.

Now, if the group is through trying to deflect everyone away from the question. Why is a story allowed in two days past the deadline to enter and why is it the same person or people all the time?

 

[TxRad]

Uncomplicated answer, he submitted it at 11:59 and it took two days to process.
Complicated answer he used his connections in the Texas mafia.

Keep trying to sell that swampland story. A whole bunch of people know better. The formula for writing a winning story has been posted several times already. A Large story with a late entry in the wrong low vote getting category. On track with the list so far. Now what is the totally off putting part about a third of the way through so most readers will back click or vote a one, I wonder?

Don't ya just love cliff hangers?

 

[lovecraft68]

Uncomplicated answer, he submitted it at 11:59 and it took two days to process.
Complicated answer he used his connections in the Texas mafia.

Yes, 11:59 for the fifth time in a row, coincidence? Got a bridge for sake if you feel that way.

Keep in mind the person in question has done a how to here-and many in their other forum about how to manipulate and max out everything here. Everything from immediately voting on your own story to help it get to the H by ten votes as quickly as possible and every other possible strategy.

But to me at this point the bigger problem isn't a person who has figured out how to win every contest they enter, but the fact the site pretends its not possible and acts oblivious to it, like they do with every other issue here.

For example my dart league decided to run with a handicap system a couple years back to make it more fair for newer players against people like me who've been playing forever.

I had no issue with that, but what happened was a lot of good players started sucking on purpose to lower their handicap so and get advantages. Then come play off time suddenly they are playing like an A player with a C handicap. In other words sand bagging.

The person who ran the league listened to the complaints pulled all the won loss records from prior seasons, saw the gaming and removed the rule.

Laurel would be hard pressed to level the playing field totally, too many variables in category and readership etc...the disparity in votes per category skews the sweeps heavily to lower voted stories and isn't all that accurate to begin with, but how to fix it? Its been discussed and there is no easy way

But when you can show a pattern when you have a person who does the same thing repeatedly and people call it out THAT can be looked at.

Sheablue is a notoriously slow writer since I've been here she always struggles to get something done in time or at all. When she gets something in last minute no one questions it.

But when you have someone who always entered early, or middle of the pack complains they were screwed in one, then starts playing all the angles including the 11:59 entry and does it every time....

last Summer they submitted three entries all at zero hour. Three stories were done all at the exact same time?

That is something the site can look at and see what's obvious.

And bottom line is if you're that good, why do you need to do this? Answer? Perhaps you're just not that good, or you like to mock the site and other contestants

In 2014 Earth Day I entered a contest I hated(for survivor) wrote in a category I'd never written in, wrote a sweet romance that was sweet all the way through no LC style depressing pasts and traumatic events just sweet through and through so totally out of my wheel house and...

I won first place.

And It was entered on Day one.

That's playing straight up and leaving no doubt.

Last year I won a monthly-would have placed in Nude Day but was contending against an equally gaming story-I did it with a story that was a rare thing here, unique. An very different approach to "naked" and as I've been told the ballsiest story a lot of people have ever seen here for several reasons.

Another first place win.

And I am far from the only person who has W's that has done it the right way, just by putting forward my best and hoping its enough.

I'd rather fail trying than win cheap.

But Maybe that's because I-and most others- just don't need it that bad and I don't want anything handed to me.

 

[lovecraft68]

Where does one find an eighteen-year-old Girl Scout these days?

That's part of the formula; multiple squealing barely legals-and very questionable legals- who turn into cum drooling cock whores when they see a middle aged man. It's in every one of those stories

Appealing to the penthouse letters lowest common denominator of smut and loser mid life crises male ego is that denominator and they slap fives on those stories as fast as they slap they're flaccid meat.

Despite some claiming literary, this is a porn site and stroke will most of the time top substance.

I was clowning around on another thread saying everything lit taught me about each category, but if many of us wanted to we could list the categories and authors who specialize in each one could put next to it exactly what will get you a max score in that category.

Number one would be barely legal group sex with the addendum to not put it in group so it stands out more.

 

[Carnal_Flower]

It does stink to high heaven to see a story magically appear "after" the deadline. Say WHAT?? There's a really ugly typo, more than a typo, in mine where I rushed through proofing and didn't catch it. I get that! Cyrano said last time he made a desperate bid to enter 24 hours late and no go. I would guess that's why Laurel hustles to get them all in so there won't even be the appearance of something hinky. But the posting time has lagged lately. Could just be a midnight entry with a normal two day turn around. Of course we'll just have to trust Laurel on that.

As long as its in the rules, anyone can do anything to "win". If there IS a formula...so?????? As long as its not violating any rules what can ya do????

Keep trying to sell that swampland story. A whole bunch of people know better. The formula for writing a winning story has been posted several times already. A Large story with a late entry in the wrong low vote getting category. On track with the list so far. Now what is the totally off putting part about a third of the way through so most readers will back click or vote a one, I wonder?

Don't ya just love cliff hangers?

 

[lovecraft68]

I am intrigued aboit one thing and that is how a 14 page (roughly 50k) story reached a couple of dozen votes so quickly.

Would seem there was voting without reading or perhaps some other authors had a chance to read it in advance. But then that would mean it was ready before the deadline

Or the other solution that lit is home to a lot of speed readers. Probably the case I am sure.
.

 

[sr71plt]

I suggest for the umpteenth time (not requiring any of that just pretend "systems changes coming soon" response at all) that the money awards be zeroed out for contests. Then just let it be the free for all manipulation that it is. Without the money, it's just the Internet being the Internet; with the money, it's insidious and brings out the worst in people. People would still enter for the fun of it--maybe not as many of those who are gaming it, though--and that can only be a good thing for those who participate in these things in good faith.

 

[TxRad]

I suggest for the umpteenth time (not requiring any of that just pretend "systems changes coming soon" response at all) that the money awards be zeroed out for contests. Then just let it be the free for all manipulation that it is. Without the money, it's just the Internet being the Internet; with the money, it's insidious and brings out the worst in people. People would still enter for the fun of it--maybe not as many of those who are gaming it, though--and that can only be a good thing for those who participate in these things in good faith.

This has gone past the money thing, if it was ever that. This is about the title of the most award winning author or authors on Lit. Some seem to feel this would be a good thing to be able to advertise to increase their sales. The problem is, they are pointing the buys to where the stories are free. A great strategy don't ya think.

 

[sr71plt]

Well, some do want to make the fish bowl that Literotica is into an ocean. It's still a fishbowl--and one that doesn't do much to teach fish to be able to swim in the ocean. Fine as long as you (the generic you) don't fool yourself into thinking it's more than a fishbowl or that you are some sort of whale because you've learned how to appear to be the biggest fish in the fishbowl.

I do think that getting rid of the money would improve the atmosphere around here a whole lot.

 

[lovecraft68]

Well, some do want to make the fish bowl that Literotica is into an ocean. It's still a fishbowl--and one that doesn't do much to teach fish to be able to swim in the ocean. Fine as long as you (the generic you) don't fool yourself into thinking it's more than a fishbowl or that you are some sort of whale because you've learned how to appear to be the biggest fish in the fishbowl.

I do think that getting rid of the money would improve the atmosphere around here a whole lot.

Its not the money- $75-$150 Is not a lot of money-Its the W so "award winning author" can be used on pay site blurbs and social media. The illusion of success without of course divulging the awards are from a free site and are gained with unethical tactics.

I keep lit on lit. Its selling suicide to use social media to bring readers here to vote on a story
Therefore showing them a site that contains countless stories in every kink and making them wonder why they would ever pay for something.

But what does a hack like me know?

 

[IvyWillcox]

Well, some do want to make the fish bowl that Literotica is into an ocean. It's still a fishbowl--and one that doesn't do much to teach fish to be able to swim in the ocean. Fine as long as you (the generic you) don't fool yourself into thinking it's more than a fishbowl or that you are some sort of whale because you've learned how to appear to be the biggest fish in the fishbowl.

I do think that getting rid of the money would improve the atmosphere around here a whole lot.

I am one of the small fish on this site and have no grand illusion that my writing is any more than just a hobby and that my stories will most likely not be in contention of winning anything. So maybe I am just not understanding all this but if the said big whale is submitting his stories following the guidelines of the rules (all be it last minute) what is the big deal. By the look of his scores it seems that his stories are well received (I personably have not read any) But if his strategy works and is within the rules more power to him/her. I am just surprised more contenders are not stealing a page out of his playbook. Maybe I am missing something but that is just my naïve two cents.

 

[oggbashan]

Big Fish? Little Fish?

I'm back from a short holiday. The rating of my four stories hasn't changed much in 8 days.

But? Big fish in a small bowl?

I'd like the Literotica contests to attract hundreds or thousands of entries. With the traffic statistics for the whole site it ought to be possible.

Even my local writers' group gets more entries for their local quarterly contests, with their big prize being £25, than the numbers for Literotica themed contests. (And yes, I'd have a Blue W for the local contest too...)

If the number of entries increased substantially, accusations of gamesmanship would be irrelevant becauise winning would be much harder and a more significant achievement.

Yes, it is pleasant to have some Blue Ws, but in the totality of my activities they are less important than many other things.

 

[oggbashan]

Tx Tall Tales - your vote count demonstrates your popularity (whisper it quietly - and makes me slightly jealous).

But there are contest disadvantages to being so popular. The first is that it is very difficult to improve a story's rating with either a sweep or a few five votes. Both have little impact once you have hundreds of votes, and an insignificant effect when you have more than a thousand.

The second is obvious. It makes other authors jealous. I could be, but I write in relatively obscure genres. I don't expect, and don't get, hundreds of votes and hundreds of followers.

The stories you write are liked by a large number of people. If views on Literotica were paid, you would be one of the highest earners. The argument that popularity equals lack of literary merit should have died with Charles Dickens, but some people still believe that popular fiction is bad fiction. Nonsense! It is fiction that has a larger audience.

Please keep entering the contests.

 

[sr71plt]

I am one of the small fish on this site and have no grand illusion that my writing is any more than just a hobby and that my stories will most likely not be in contention of winning anything. So maybe I am just not understanding all this but if the said big whale is submitting his stories following the guidelines of the rules (all be it last minute) what is the big deal. By the look of his scores it seems that his stories are well received (I personably have not read any) But if his strategy works and is within the rules more power to him/her. I am just surprised more contenders are not stealing a page out of his playbook. Maybe I am missing something but that is just my naïve two cents.

Yeah, you're missing the part where you seem to think I've posted anything about anyone not following the contest rules. In fact, if you'll roll up the list you'll see where I agreed that a story could be submitted before the deadline and not posted for two days.

My point is that the contests are highly manupulatory jokes (for contests) and should not be for money reward because that just encourages blatant manipulation. This brings out the worst in people. I think people would still submit to the contests if there wasn't money involved.

It's really too bad when folks don't have the faith in the strength of their contest stories to just let them float as an unmanipulated entry--especially if they are doing it in a grab for money.

 

[lovecraft68]

s).The first is that it is very difficult to improve a story's rating with either a sweep or a few five votes. Both have little impact once you have hundreds of votes, and an insignificant effect when you have more than a thousand.

Thanks for backing up the point of why with the sweeps, currently operating as is, works against stories with huge numbers.

Which also backs up why some are posting their stories in categories that aren't the best one for it, but the less popular.

Unfortunately you have left the door open for someone to come in with smoke and mirrors 'lit math' to try to dispute it.

 

[AlwaysHungry]

Its not the money- $75-$150 Is not a lot of money-Its the W so "award winning author" can be used on pay site blurbs and social media. The illusion of success without of course divulging the awards are from a free site and are gained with unethical tactics.

A little bird told me that I might be amused by recent developments on this thread. I was more bemused, truth be told, wondering to myself, how could these people be so emotionally invested in these contests? Do we actually care whether some evil genius has found a way to game the system? Lovecraft's comments provided at least a partial answer.

But now I am wondering, how much could the "award winning author" blurb be worth, in actual dollars? Lest we take ourselves too seriously, it is useful to remember from time to time that our readers are probably, for the most part, simply looking for a cheap thrill, and that we are the literary equivalent of pole dancers. Some pole dancers may put their hearts into their act, and display genuine artistry, but the members of the audience didn't plunk down their hard-earned dollars for that.

Sorry to be a buzzkill. Perhaps there is a mote in my eye.

 

[oggbashan]

Thanks for backing up the point of why with the sweeps, currently operating as is, works against stories with huge numbers.

Which also backs up why some are posting their stories in categories that aren't the best one for it, but the less popular.

Unfortunately you have left the door open for someone to come in with smoke and mirrors 'lit math' to try to dispute it.

I write 'in categories that aren't the best one for it, but the less popular', not just for contests but most of the time. Two of my four Blue W's are for Reviews/Essays and one for How-to but two were for special contests - Free Speech and How-To - that expected those categories.

The consequence is that a single 1 vote on any of my entries can wreck any chance of winning, or instantly remove a Red H. None of my four entries for this contest has even come close to a Red H. But perhaps the reason doesn't need conspiracy theories. Those four stories are just unpopular.

Trying to win by using a less popular category can be self-defeating.

 

[lovecraft68]

I write 'in categories that aren't the best one for it, but the less popular', not just for contests but most of the time. Two of my four Blue W's are for Reviews/Essays and one for How-to but two were for special contests - Free Speech and How-To - that expected those categories.

The consequence is that a single 1 vote on any of my entries can wreck any chance of winning, or instantly remove a Red H. None of my four entries for this contest has even come close to a Red H. But perhaps the reason doesn't need conspiracy theories. Those four stories are just unpopular.

Trying to win by using a less popular category can be self-defeating.

Well in this particular instance we know why your stories are bombing. They were femdom.

Women on top? Bad Ogg, bad!

For me most of my stuff is straightforward the only time I've wavered is a couple of stories that were romances and would have worked fine there, but because there were large age differences in both (one was older woman, one the man was older) I went in mature, seemed to work out okay.

ETA on the self defeating. I should say 'lower' voted, not hardly voted as in like you said, how to and essays are lucky to see the 25 to qualify sometimes, but but going into a category that would get say 150-200 has a better shot than 1000 plus.

Incest usually goes over that, but mature and group can hit that at times as well.

 

[lovecraft68]

A little bird told me that I might be amused by recent developments on this thread. I was more bemused, truth be told, wondering to myself, how could these people be so emotionally invested in these contests? Do we actually care whether some evil genius has found a way to game the system? Lovecraft's comments provided at least a partial answer.

But now I am wondering, how much could the "award winning author" blurb be worth, in actual dollars? Lest we take ourselves too seriously, it is useful to remember from time to time that our readers are probably, for the most part, simply looking for a cheap thrill, and that we are the literary equivalent of pole dancers. Some pole dancers may put their hearts into their act, and display genuine artistry, but the members of the audience didn't plunk down their hard-earned dollars for that.

Sorry to be a buzzkill. Perhaps there is a mote in my eye.

In the pay market its hard to tell what helps or doesn't its really throwing a rock in the ocean publishing and many times a book that sells well is as much shit luck as anything else.

You also rarely get reviews, especially on erotica, so here at lit we geta lot of feedback which is the best part, but in the pay market there's actual pay which over rides feedback.

And I like the pole dancer analogy. In that case some would go with what they have others would get fake breasts

 

[sr71plt]

You also rarely get reviews, especially on erotica, so here at lit we geta lot of feedback which is the best part, but in the pay market there's actual pay which over rides feedback.

Or you can do both. My April Fools Day Contest story hits the marketplace on the result announcement here downbeat.

 

[Kethandra]

I guess I'm attempting a new twist on the manipulative entry:
Submit in a category where it does not belong except by the weakest of connections while aiming for the fewest votes that will leave at least 25 after the sweeps.

My entry is Humor and Satire but it's about Oedipus so it has to go in Incest.
I didn't want typical Incest readers (including ones who have enjoyed my other stories in the category) to expect something that wouldn't be delivered, so I included an Author's Note to let folks know this wasn't a stroker. I may have chased too many away.
End result is it only has 49 votes total in Incest. Before sweeps.

Downside is those 49 haven't been tremendously generous, on average. No where near RedH-land.

Upside is every comment, both on the story and by email has been positive. So I know a few people grokked a story I wrote to amuse my own odd self.

And by the way, Og, it does give a brief nod to a character that is featured in my favorite among your writings.

 

[sheablue]

I guess I'm attempting a new twist on the manipulative entry:
Submit in a category where it does not belong except by the weakest of connections while aiming for the fewest votes that will leave at least 25 after the sweeps.

My entry is Humor and Satire but it's about Oedipus so it has to go in Incest.
I didn't want typical Incest readers (including ones who have enjoyed my other stories in the category) to expect something that wouldn't be delivered, so I included an Author's Note to let folks know this wasn't a stroker. I may have chased too many away.
End result is it only has 49 votes total in Incest. Before sweeps.

Downside is those 49 haven't been tremendously generous, on average. No where near RedH-land.

Upside is every comment, both on the story and by email has been positive. So I know a few people grokked a story I wrote to amuse my own odd self.

And by the way, Og, it does give a brief nod to a character that is featured in my favorite among your writings.

Kethandra, I read your story ... I liked it, a fun read ... But I'm not sure it had to be in incest just because of Oedipus and his story. Do we have a mythology category? Fantasy? Celebrity?

 

[TxRad]

Well, this is interesting. Where the thread was cut and how the cherry picking of comments for it was done. Not to mention the very large elephant post that is missing from both threads.

Head in sand is business as usual, I guess.

 

[PennLady]

Hi everybody.

For the record, I PM'd Laurel to inquire about this.

She said that the story in question was in fact submitted on time, but missed in an initial search for contest stories. When found, it was posted. She said they have done similar things at author's requests for years: i.e., an author misses a deadline, requests the story be entered, and they accommodate that.

I suspect that some may counter that this is the same people doing this repeatedly but I can't help you there. You may be correct, but complaints/questions about that should be sent directly to Laurel.

For the record, I inquired about the late posting only and not the category question some have mentioned. Given that the categories can be fuzzy sometimes, and many of us have puzzled over which one to use, and not least that I hadn't read the story in question, I just wasn't going to go into that.