The Official Author's Hangout 2013 Summer Lovin' Contest Support Thread

[Darkniciad]

So, can we get back to the contest now?

There's still a few days left to submit, so better get cracking if you've been procrastinating.

 

[PennLady]

So, can we get back to the contest now?

There's still a few days left to submit, so better get cracking if you've been procrastinating.

Yes! This!

 

[Darkniciad]

The rest of today and four more, to be exact. 11:59 PM EST on the 6th.

 

[Laurel]

Lovecraft68, I'm not at all offended. I just wanted to head off the inevitable peanut gallery's "it must be true because Lit didn't respond to the accusations!" - which, of course, would've been "it must be true! She responded to the accusations!" in other circumstances.

It's all blowing off steam, I understand that. No harm, no foul.

On the AS account/story removal - it was done because it was requested, and was very necessary for personal reasons. As much as I enjoyed having AS and his stories on the site, it's what he needed to do to for health reasons, and I support AS getting healthy 110%.

 

[Laurel]

So, can we get back to the contest now?

There's still a few days left to submit, so better get cracking if you've been procrastinating.

OK, sorry.

 

[HeyAll]

Hey Laurel,

Just curious, has there ever been any thought towards changing some of the contest themes for next year?

take care

 

[Laurel]

I'm not against the idea. I do think the current crop of contests works well because it they are semi-evenly spaced over the calendar year and cover a variety of themes. The Summer Lovin' contest was an Author's Hangout creation, so I think it should stay. Halloween, Winter Holidays, and Valentine's Day are very popular contests, so I can't see us ever removing those. Earth Day and Nude Day are the only two I think would be eligible for replacement, if any were to be changed/replaced. But their replacements would have to 1) be as strong if not stronger themes, and 2) fit in those time frames. A Spring-themed contest has been suggested, but I kinda think that's way too broad a topic, and that the entries would end up looking a lot like those in the Summer, Nude Day, and Earth Day competitions.

In short, we might maybe consider replacing Earth Day and Nude Day competitions, but only if the contest themes were many degrees stronger than the current ones. If the themes as so broad that they end up producing the same sort of stories - or are so narrow that authors decide to skip those contests - then there's really no purpose to changing them.

 

[desertslave]

Yikes, I've been on the road (delivering my babygirl to college) the past week. Could someone please point me to the particulars of HOW to properly submit a story for the contest? I started it last year, grumbled over it too long, then halfway rewrote it over a month ago. Ready or not, I'd like to submit it.

 

[HeyAll]

I'm not against the idea. I do think the current crop of contests works well because it they are semi-evenly spaced over the calendar year and cover a variety of themes. The Summer Lovin' contest was an Author's Hangout creation, so I think it should stay. Halloween, Winter Holidays, and Valentine's Day are very popular contests, so I can't see us ever removing those. Earth Day and Nude Day are the only two I think would be eligible for replacement, if any were to be changed/replaced. But their replacements would have to 1) be as strong if not stronger themes, and 2) fit in those time frames. A Spring-themed contest has been suggested, but I kinda think that's way too broad a topic, and that the entries would end up looking a lot like those in the Summer, Nude Day, and Earth Day competitions.

In short, we might maybe consider replacing Earth Day and Nude Day competitions, but only if the contest themes were many degrees stronger than the current ones. If the themes as so broad that they end up producing the same sort of stories - or are so narrow that authors decide to skip those contests - then there's really no purpose to changing them.

I definitely agree with Halloween, Winter, and Valentine's being must haves for contests.

But I also think that Nude Day, Earth Day, and Summer Lovin are very similar in the themes they have.

If I could make a suggestion, it would be to get rid of Nude Day and make a contest which revolves around College Graduations in May. It would be pro-education and there were be a lot of fun ideas in the mix.

Just a thought.

Take care!

 

[xelliebabex]

I'm not against the idea. I do think the current crop of contests works well because it they are semi-evenly spaced over the calendar year and cover a variety of themes. The Summer Lovin' contest was an Author's Hangout creation, so I think it should stay. Halloween, Winter Holidays, and Valentine's Day are very popular contests, so I can't see us ever removing those. Earth Day and Nude Day are the only two I think would be eligible for replacement, if any were to be changed/replaced. But their replacements would have to 1) be as strong if not stronger themes, and 2) fit in those time frames. A Spring-themed contest has been suggested, but I kinda think that's way too broad a topic, and that the entries would end up looking a lot like those in the Summer, Nude Day, and Earth Day competitions.

In short, we might maybe consider replacing Earth Day and Nude Day competitions, but only if the contest themes were many degrees stronger than the current ones. If the themes as so broad that they end up producing the same sort of stories - or are so narrow that authors decide to skip those contests - then there's really no purpose to changing them.

Hi Laurel,

While I fully understand that this is a predominantly American site used predominantly by Americans I sometimes wish there was more of in a International flavour to the contests. Not everyone celebrates Halloween, Earth day or Nude day.

If the summer contest could maybe be earlier and replace Nude day theme then International Tourism Day falls of September 27. Broad enough to cover many countries and types of transportation, strip search and the mile high club, holiday romance and bro-mance, but not so broad as to lose its theme.

Just a suggestion that might appeal more internationally. People might like to let their favorite tourist destinations shine, whether close to home or abroad.

Edited: Its actually called World Tourism Day and was set up by the United Nations in 1970.

 

[TxRad]

Yikes, I've been on the road (delivering my babygirl to college) the past week. Could someone please point me to the particulars of HOW to properly submit a story for the contest? I started it last year, grumbled over it too long, then halfway rewrote it over a month ago. Ready or not, I'd like to submit it.

Submit as normal but copy and paste this into the notes section.

"SUMMER LOVIN STORY CONTEST 2013"

 

[Laurel]

I definitely agree with Halloween, Winter, and Valentine's being must haves for contests.

But I also think that Nude Day, Earth Day, and Summer Lovin are very similar in the themes they have.

If I could make a suggestion, it would be to get rid of Nude Day and make a contest which revolves around College Graduations in May. It would be pro-education and there were be a lot of fun ideas in the mix.

Just a thought.

Take care!

Not a bad idea.

Hi Laurel,

While I fully understand that this is a predominantly American site used predominantly by Americans I sometimes wish there was more of in a International flavour to the contests. Not everyone celebrates Halloween, Earth day or Nude day.

If the summer contest could maybe be earlier and replace Nude day theme then International Tourism Day falls of September 27. Broad enough to cover many countries and types of transportation, strip search and the mile high club, holiday romance and bro-mance, but not so broad as to lose its theme.

Just a suggestion that might appeal more internationally. People might like to let their favorite tourist destinations shine, whether close to home or abroad.

Edited: Its actually called World Tourism Day and was set up by the United Nations in 1970.

Those are good ideas. To be clear, I don't know a single person in America (or elsewhere) who celebrates National Nude Day. It was chosen because 1) its position on the calendar, and 2) its theme seemed a good fit. Earth Day was created in the U.S. (rather recently, in 1970), but is not part of traditional American culture or anything. In fact, I believe they have Earth Day celebrations all over the world. And not all Americans celebrate Halloween (though it is very popular).

The contest theme doesn't have to be a holiday per se. It can be an event, a scenario, anything broad enough to result in a varied and interesting group of stories but narrow enough to keep things challenging/interesting.

Maybe someone should start another thread so this one isn't derailed?

And to be clear and upfront - I'm not promising that anything will change. If a discussion and brainstorming results in some awesome new themes, they'll definitely be considered.

 

[oggbashan]

I definitely agree with Halloween, Winter, and Valentine's being must haves for contests.

But I also think that Nude Day, Earth Day, and Summer Lovin are very similar in the themes they have.

If I could make a suggestion, it would be to get rid of Nude Day and make a contest which revolves around College Graduations in May. It would be pro-education and there were be a lot of fun ideas in the mix.

Just a thought.

Take care!

College Graduations is mainly US only, like National Nude Day.

But a new thread would be a good idea.

 

[TxRad]

three and a half days people. Lets get those last minute entries in. The more the merrier.

 

[desertslave]

Submit as normal but copy and paste this into the notes section.

"SUMMER LOVIN STORY CONTEST 2013"

Thank you much!

 

[ScouriesWorld]

stories/cats on lit...

These were the figures compiled by the famous owlwhisper through the year 2008.

 

[lovecraft68]

Thanks for the 5 year old stats Jim.

 

[HeyAll]

I agree on a Vacation/Tourism Contest.

It could take the place of Nude Day or Earth Day.

Themes could include traveling to other countries, going on a vacation, exploring new places, ect...

It'll be a lot of fun to have those kinds of stories, and perhaps author's could vicariously share their travel experiences in those stories.

Laurel I hope you consider it!!!

 

[sr71plt]

I wonder what "voting available" and "voting not available" meant in 2008--or what Scouries thinks it has to do with anything on this thread.

 

[TxRad]

I wonder what "voting available" and "voting not available" meant in 2008--or what Scouries thinks it has to do with anything on this thread.

Voting turned off or on, maybe.

Freddie is doing a How to of some sort for survivors and was asking about information on number of authors and number of stories posting and posted on Lit.

So it actually has nothing to do with the thread. Just more disruptive bullshit by the tinfoil crowd.

 

[desertslave]

three and a half days people. Lets get those last minute entries in. The more the merrier.

Done!

 

[Tx Tall Tales]

Got my shorter story submitted.

Now a mad dash to see if I can get the epic I worked on last summer finally done. 36K words and it just doesn't want to end. Damn it!

 

[TxRad]

Got my shorter story submitted.

Now a mad dash to see if I can get the epic I worked on last summer finally done. 36K words and it just doesn't want to end. Damn it!

I have that problem all the time. Something I think will be a short quick write becomes a novel.

 

[slyc_willie]

A thought just occurred to me that I could rework one of my FAWC 2 stories and resubmit as a Summer Lovin' contest entry. But I'm not sure that would be kosher (technically speaking, of course, FAWC is not an actual Lit contest, so there's really no reason not to do it . . . .).

 

[lovecraft68]

A thought just occurred to me that I could rework one of my FAWC 2 stories and resubmit as a Summer Lovin' contest entry. But I'm not sure that would be kosher (technically speaking, of course, FAWC is not an actual Lit contest, so there's really no reason not to do it . . . .).

I think, but am not 100% certain that the story has to be original to lit.

You can use something you have published elsewhere as long as it has never been on here, so I think the fawc story would be against the rules.