Reader's Choice contest question...

[beatrice_dreams]

I had my first wander through the nominations for the 13th annual reader's choice competition.

Can I ask those who know the history/politics of it a bit better - why are some of the top-nominated writers bowing out in all the categories and asking to be removed? Is there a negative side to being nominated that I don't know about?

Thanks

 

[sr71plt]

This contest seems even more prone to voting on personality and with multiple alts, than the others running here--which is saying a lot. But there's no reason not to play around with it, if you like.

 

[PennLady]

These are only my guesses, but here goes.

For one thing, if you win, Lit asks that you keep the story on the site for two years. This can be a problem if you want to take the story down to publish it.

For another, although I wouldn't say the contests are rigged, often there is one author who kind of dominates and other authors may feel it's not worth it. Last year it was JazCullen -- she won in several categories.

And I'd imagine there are some who just don't want to be associated with it for whatever reason. These nominations and awards are often also very far behind, although I don't know if that figures in for anyone.

Others will have more informed guesses, I'm sure.

 

[mynameisben]

I didn't even know such a contest existed. Where is this located?

 

[Darkniciad]

It's a combination of three things:

People who just don't want to participate for various reasons.

People who think the contest is rigged and call those who win cheaters, and thus don't want to be associated with it.

People who have won in the past and are tired of being called cheaters.

 

[sr71plt]

It's a combination of three things:

People who just don't want to participate for various reasons.

People who think the contest is rigged and call those who win cheaters, and thus don't want to be associated with it.

People who have won in the past and are tired of being called cheaters.

I think Ben is more right--that most don't even know it's going on. But, yes, there's cheating going on, because all of the Lit. contests are set up to enable cheating, and the combination of most being oblivious or indifferent to it and the very interested doing all they can to manipulate it, it's a nonstarter as a contest that means anything. And a contest that doesn't mean anything isn't going to generate much interest.

 

[PennLady]

I didn't even know such a contest existed. Where is this located?

Here you go, ben: http://forum.literotica.com/forumdisplay.php?f=7

 

[mynameisben]

Here you go, ben: http://forum.literotica.com/forumdisplay.php?f=7

Thanks. But I have to admit, my interest is pretty low. Still deciding whether it is worth the energy to click on the link.

 

[PennLady]

This has led me to peruse some of the nominations, and I find it interesting that even after Doctor Wolf and JazCullen (the heavy favorites, it appears) and lovecraft68 have informed readers of their withdrawal, people continue to nominate them and/or their characters.

 

[PennLady]

Thanks. But I have to admit, my interest is pretty low. Still deciding whether it is worth the energy to click on the link.

These are just suggestions for nominations by readers and authors. The final lists have not been made. Should be interesting b/c in some categories there are only three or four nominees, and some of those have taken themselves out of the running.

 

[Darkniciad]

I think Ben is more right--that most don't even know it's going on. But, yes, there's cheating going on, because all of the Lit. contests are set up to enable cheating, and the combination of most being oblivious or indifferent to it and the very interested doing all they can to manipulate it, it's a nonstarter as a contest that means anything. And a contest that doesn't mean anything isn't going to generate much interest.

And this explains why people with dozens of nominations who have won by large margins in the past would choose not to participate?

The question is why authors are asking to be removed from consideration, and specifically the top nominated authors.

I will add that my third bullet point should also include those who -- in addition to being tired of the cheating accusations -- feel that others should have an opportunity rather than letting their large and active fanbases dominate the contest.

In truth, the forum based voting is far more reliable than the storyside. The IPs are stored by username, far easier to search and cross-reference with built in tools, and it's far more difficult to purge the "traces" on your computer that can identify alts to the owners.

Only the most dedicated and knowledgeable will be able to fool the tools used to identify alts on the forum -- which is largely an automated process and thus takes little time.

 

[oggbashan]

It is interesting that most nominations come from posters with less than 10 posts, or who have recently joined Literotica.

It looks as though someone, or several someones, is/are using created alts to make the nominations.

 

[mynameisben]

It is interesting that most nominations come from posters with less than 10 posts, or who have recently joined Literotica.

It looks as though someone, or several someones, is/are using created alts to make the nominations.

Apparently, there's more anal haberdashery afoot than I care to contend with.

 

[Darkniciad]

No doubt that's probably happening, but the automatic accusations of anyone who is new or doesn't post are way out of line.

I've actually communicated with many of these "alts" prior to their joining to make nominations due to sharing a category preference with the nominated authors. Just because they don't have accounts doesn't mean they aren't active members who read stories and send emails to authors.

Enthusiastic fans left comments on stories pointing out the contest to the fanbase, which brought them here to join and make nominations.

And, again, catching alts on the forum and eliminating those votes is far easier than it is storyside.

 

[lovecraft68]

I bowed out for a couple of reasons. One I was nominated for the same thing last year-and finished 2nd to Jaz, but had a nice showing of support that I was happy with.

I also said I would not enter another contest due to the "sabotage" that goes on here.

I also even though I had not started it yet, knew I was going to start the scouries is a cheat thread. Having done that, I can never enter another contest (unless it be under another pen name) as he will do what he did to me before.

I think that favortism would not be the right word here, but some "crowds" come out and vote and some do not.

I've said before I think Non-human has by far the most supportive audience and that shoped in Jaz's sweep last year. I again applaud her for stepping aside this year as I have no doubt she knows she would easily win again and wants no headaches or sour grapes.

 

[beatrice_dreams]

Thanks all for wading in...some very reasonable suggestions. It doesn't sound all that sinister then.

For one thing, if you win, Lit asks that you keep the story on the site for two years. This can be a problem if you want to take the story down to publish it.

See, this is what sort of confuses me. I just happened to wander in there - how could you know even you were nominated/part of the competition if you don't go and look? And then to be asked to keep a story up for 2 years seems a bit odd if you haven't opted IN to a contest?

Seems a little odd...maybe I am misunderstanding.

(Only the worry of the winners I suppose! )

 

[oggbashan]

No doubt that's probably happening, but the automatic accusations of anyone who is new or doesn't post are way out of line.

...

I appreciate that there are many readers who don't post or who may create an account to nominate someone whose work they enjoy.

I did not make an accusation, only an observation. I would not attempt to say this person is and that person is not a genuine nominator.

However, looking back at nominations for several years, it seems that there are more nominations from those with few posts or with recent accounts than would seem statistically likely. It could be only one person, or a very small group of people, who are attempting to skew the nominations

Given the number of stories posted every year on Literotica, those authors and stories nominated are a very small proportion of the total. 'Winning' a category can be achieved with a tiny number of votes. I won "Reviews and Essays" last year with 9 votes out of a total of 16 votes for all the Essays nominated and I didn't vote for myself either as oggbashan or one of my alts.

Are these contests still worthwhile? The majority of those posting in the various forums seem to ignore them.

 

[PennLady]

See, this is what sort of confuses me. I just happened to wander in there - how could you know even you were nominated/part of the competition if you don't go and look? And then to be asked to keep a story up for 2 years seems a bit odd if you haven't opted IN to a contest?

Well, you have to look. It's true, you don't get informed if you win. I mean, I've had friends tell me I have, but Laurel and Manu do not tell you. So you have to make the effort. There is information about the contests in the FAQ, and I'd think these days most people would look, or know how to look, for a FAQ on a site they have to register to use.

I would guess that if you win, you could PM Laurel and tell her you didn't know and want to withdraw, and then the next stories would just move up. I didn't know myself about the 2-yr limit at one point, and took off a story a fair bit before that limit. However, no one said anything; I doubt Laurel and Manu keep close track of that.

Another way you can tell is to look at your submission page from "outside," i.e., the page that someone else would be looking at if they clicked on your name. You can see a "W" next to a story that has won.

Also, every story is essentially entered in the monthly contests, although there is a vote (and view, perhaps) minimum there. If you enter a theme contest, you know you're doing it, because you have to put that information into the notes field when you submit. For the annual stuff -- well, that you just have to look for and to be honest, I rarely do.

I did look around as a result of this thread and found I'd been nominated as most influential writer. Aw, shucks.

 

[beatrice_dreams]

Well, you have to look. It's true, you don't get informed if you win.

I did look around as a result of this thread and found I'd been nominated as most influential writer. Aw, shucks.

You're surprised?!

And thanks for that - it's good at least to know how things work.

 

[bashfullyshameless]

These are only my guesses, but here goes.

For one thing, if you win, Lit asks that you keep the story on the site for two years. This can be a problem if you want to take the story down to publish it.

This was why I pulled out last year. I was really happy to be nominated, and I wrestled with whether or not to pull out because... well... because I thought I might've had a good shot and I totally wanted to win those contests.

But ultimately the prospect of publishing my work meant more to me, so I pulled out.

It is absolutely true that the readers of certain categories are much more supportive of its authors than others. Sci-Fi/Fantasy (one of my favorites) and Non-Human (not one I read) clearly have more of a community spirit goin' on than, say, Loving Wives.

 

[PennLady]

You're surprised?!

And thanks for that - it's good at least to know how things work.

LOL Actually, I am, if only b/c I didn't submit a lot of stories last year. But it's flattering, I admit.

 

[jomar]

Here you go, ben: http://forum.literotica.com/forumdisplay.php?f=7

Given some of the comments in this thread it's pretty laughable that a lot of those nominating the most influential author have one or two total posts.

 

[lovecraft68]

Given some of the comments in this thread it's pretty laughable that a lot of those nominating the most influential author have one or two total posts.

I'm conflicted on that point-its like this every year- my first thought as I'm sure is yours, is that these are alts.

Then again, if you;re a reader and find out your favorite author is up for something, and want to support them it may be enough to make you log in and post.

Remember the majority of readers here, are not posters on these forums. I'll give you an example, if you look at last years thread, I was nominated by two authors Suna Moon and Fist of Fury. Both have been on lit longer than me, but for both it was only their first or second post.

But coming back to the "alt" theory how do they find out in the first place? Yes Lit says something on their home page, but many readers I know have the new story page bookmarked and don;t go there.

I looked on Jaz Cullens home page last year and she was not mentioning it so how did all these people know?

The site claims that if a nomination is suspicious, it will only count as half a vote(shouldn't it not count at all?) but again the site says a lot of things that it doesn;t have time to really do.

end result? Who the hell knows for sure?

 

[sr71plt]

Given some of the comments in this thread it's pretty laughable that a lot of those nominating the most influential author have one or two total posts.

And, more telling, few if any stories of their own posted. Which leads to the quesiton of what that writer influenced them to do. I asked for a couple of years and didn't get much in the way of answers.

 

[lovecraft68]

And, more telling, few if any stories of their own posted. Which leads to the quesiton of what that writer influenced them to do. I asked for a couple of years and didn't get much in the way of answers.

Most influential somehow turns into "most popular"

I nominated Alwayswantedtoo because he did influence me. First off I had said I doubted I could write a mother/son story, because I didn;t see how they could be sexy to me.

After reading several of his, I not only changed my mind, but wrote some of my own. He also taught me the mother/son crowd is not all about stroke, but can enjoy a long story as mine are. In a comment on my last one, I was compared to him, which I found very flattering.

Point is he did influence me.

But your point is a good one and I believe all most of the posters were influenced to do was to stroke.