The Official Authors' Hangout Halloween 2016 Contest Support Thread

[ChloeTzang]

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[holliday1960]

........

 

[oggbashan]

You know, I think. I'll just keep quiet now. I obviously don't know enough yet. Oh well. Been fun.

Don't keep quiet. We all have to learn, and making mistakes is a good way to find out.

In recent years we have had a tradition that we don't mention story ratings in these threads during a contest because any mention seems to attract 1-bombs.

But unless I add that in my first post in these threads, how could you be expected to know?

The Authors' Hangout continues to attract new people and that is good for all of us even if we have to answer the same questions several times a year/month/week...

 

[sr71plt]

Hey, I have a silly question...well, maybe not so silly. When Laurel does the sweeps, is it specifically for the contest entries, or does it go thru all categories? Like I had one post a few days ago not in the EH. I dont see evidence of a sweep there yet. How often are the sweeps done in submissions for the month? Twice a month? Once a week? Or just when Laurel has time? Anybody know? Thanks!

Stories posted in the last month appear to be swept at the end of the month for the monthly contest, but I haven't seen the contest sweeps affect other stories except when these two times are concurrent. Also, the contest sweeps don't seem to be across the board at the same time (e.g., I didn't have the sweep last night that LC notes. The rating of my story has been stepped down from the high of the last sweep by a .02 decrease with one vote every two days. Another one earlier today. All votes have been accounted for from since the last big sweep; none swept since then). That said, the pattern on when/which doesn't seem to be totally discernible. For context, I post at least one new story a week and most categories I post to don't garner a lot of votes, so I can pretty much see what's happening to my new stories over the initial month.

 

[holliday1960]

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[MLClifton]

I'm pretty damn new here (been on the site less than two months), and even I know it's a dick move to create a spreadsheet listing all the authors, stories, and scores of the contest submissions, and then to slam those stories with the highest ratings.

 

[lovecraft68]

I'm pretty damn new here (been on the site less than two months), and even I know it's a dick move to create a spreadsheet listing all the authors, stories, and scores of the contest submissions, and then to slam those stories with the highest ratings.

Its a dick move when scouries does it, but not every newbie understands the bullshit that goes on here.

As for slamming the highest ratings, I didn't notice that part, I just took a quick look at the scores and noted a couple of them aren't really eligible and they may gain enough to be, but then lose them in the sweeps.

I also noticed NicoleZ's story way down in the shitter from the higher 3's because people here didn't like her complaints so bombed her which proves beyond a doubt there is far more bombing coming from people who post-or more likely ghost-here than there is from readers.

As for a real dick move... Tonight's the last night to submit, let's see how many tricksters treat us with an 11:59 entry

 

[StrangeLife]

Phew! I just finished reading the last of the 89 (!) participating stories across numerous categories - many of which I otherwise never get to check out. It has been an interesting month for sure.
http://i.imgur.com/SJWWqIZ.gif

Well, ok. Technically there is a little time left before the submission window closes for good, so I suppose we could still get a batch of late-cummers.

Anyway, I must admit that I am impressed with the overall quality I have experienced. In this company I am confident that I can lose in an air of dignity without any risk of later developing erectile dysfunction from the humiliation. A fact which will undoubtedly please both my wife and my Fleshlight to no end. I haven't taken part in any themed competitions since dinosaurs roamed the Earth back in 2013, so I don't recall whether the level was this high back then. But I am pleased to bear witness to the fact that the noble art of Smut-Fu is still being practised at black belt level on this site.
http://i.imgur.com/jBtnoMS.gif


It should also be pretty easy for the powers-that-be to "de-troll" the ratings btw. Any score less than 3 is unwarranted for any of these stories, so simply removing all 1's and 2's would work.

 

[49greg]

Well, once again couldn't get something done in time. Partly real life, mostly just ran into a wall of blankness and no ideas.

Maybe next year.

 

[sr71plt]

I could add:

You can't win the contest if you post a story with an unpopular theme

So, how easy would it be then to win with a rough gay sex murder mystery with a protagonist who is a bit sadistic in sex? (Yep, it's a trick question.)

 

[StrangeLife]

Ideally, but rarely happens. Not to say there have not been some damn good stories that have placed, but often times I've seen the better ones fall. I've said many times, some of my W's made me shake my head because I'll be the first one to say I did not feel they were close to my best. Meanwhile ones I really felt I did a good job on don't get close.

Anytime the vote is in the hands of people who can vote anonymously there will ever be a 100% fool proof method.

Remember the classic line. Nothing is fool proof for a sufficiently talented fool.

But the system is still remarkably reliable though.

Last I checked, all the stories that seemed slated for the final sprint to the top are worthy winners. Admittedly, I haven't been around for a lot of contests. But generally it is my impression that the winners are good stories with a broad appeal.

So, how easy would it be then to win with a rough gay sex murder mystery with a protagonist who is a bit sadistic in sex? (Yep, it's a trick question.)

Hey! You just stole my idea for next years contest!

You forgot to mention the intergalactic crossdressing lesbian werewolves btw...

 

[GoldenMaia]

But the system is still remarkably reliable though.

Last I checked, all the stories that seemed slated for the final sprint to the top are worthy winners. Admittedly, I haven't been around for a lot of contests. But generally it is my impression that the winners are good stories with a broad appeal.

Hey! You just stole my idea for next years contest!

You forgot to mention the intergalactic crossdressing lesbian werewolves btw...

Oh man, I dare you! That sounds awesome! Is a lesbian crossdresser just a lady in a suit?

 

[oggbashan]

So, how easy would it be then to win with a rough gay sex murder mystery with a protagonist who is a bit sadistic in sex? (Yep, it's a trick question.)

...

Hey! You just stole my idea for next years contest!

You forgot to mention the intergalactic crossdressing lesbian werewolves btw...

Both would be strong contenders for The Authors' Hangout Last Place (tm) Contest.

Any story that offends multiple groups of readers stands a good chance.

But the Last Place (tm) Contests are defunct.

 

[TxRad]

So, how easy would it be then to win with a rough gay sex murder mystery with a protagonist who is a bit sadistic in sex? (Yep, it's a trick question.)

About as easy as a BDSM story winning a Valentines Contest.

 

[sr71plt]

Hey! You just stole my idea for next years contest!

Butt off, because it's coming again for the winter contest.

 

[sr71plt]

Both would be strong contenders for The Authors' Hangout Last Place (tm) Contest.

Buzz. Wrong. it came in second place in the April Fools Day contest.

 

[Dream_Operator]

Also, it's not true that you can avoid the trolls by submitting late. My story was late, and it's currently got the lowest score of any of my previous contest stories. Or any of my stories.

Which is a shame because, of the contest stories I read, yours was by far the best -- a unique and interesting plot, believable characters, realistic dialogue and action. I don't normally read Erotic Horror, but your story drew me in and I was riveted until the end.

 

[lovecraft68]

About as easy as a BDSM story winning a Valentines Contest.

A BDSM incest story would be a trick. SWB taught me those two don't mix well.

I had one that had some erotic bondage and blindfolding get up to a 4.80 earlier this year in a contest, but erotic bondage and harder edged BDSM are completely different.

 

[TxRad]

A bump to the top of the heap.

 

[TxRad]

And the winners are

Posted by laurel:

Congratulations to the 2016 Halloween Contest Winners!
Manu and I would like to thank all the authors who submitted during this special contest! We've tallied the reader's votes, and are happy to announce the winners of our 2016 Halloween Story Contest.

First Place ($150 Cash Prize Winner):
Sisters of the Fallen by GayTripper

Second Place ($100 Cash Prize Winner):
He is Coming for You by Sandman_Nightmares

Third Place ($75 Cash Prize Winner):
Plain Old Dana by Quince

Congratulations to all winners, and big thanks to all participants - readers and writers alike!

 

[lovecraft68]

Congrats to the winners.

Three first time winners again? That's great if that's the case.

 

[StrangeLife]

http://i.imgur.com/HCxabPm.jpg

 

[oggbashan]

Congratulations to the winners!

 

[MLClifton]

Congratulations to the winners!

 

[Seanathon]

Congrats to the winners and all who took the time to enter!

And I see second place was from Text with Audio! Don't think I've seen a winner from there before. Congrats again to all! And Happy Halloween!