My first experience with Mash Stories involved corruption, pizza and a selfie.My submission, Naked Men and a Pigeon did not make it to the shortlist. However, I did get a bit of feedback.
This site is a chronicle of my adventures in the world of writing competitions. I'll share my entries to various writing contests, poetry contests, and everything in between. I'll review writing contest websites, interview writing competition winners, share tips and tricks, and reflect on the lessons I learn along the way.
Showing posts with label Website review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Website review. Show all posts
Sunday, September 4, 2016
Website Review: Mash Stories (@mashstories)
My first experience with Mash Stories involved corruption, pizza and a selfie.My submission, Naked Men and a Pigeon did not make it to the shortlist. However, I did get a bit of feedback.
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Winning Writers Website Review
It's been a while since I have done one of these, but I was reading the recent Winning Writers newsletter and I knew that this solid contest resource was due for a review.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Introducing Multi-story
For my first new website/contest/review of 2013, I present Multi-Story. Full disclosure, I've only spent about 5 minutes on the site. However, since I found enough stuff to warrant a post, you can imagine that I belive it's worth your time.
http://www.multi-story.co.uk/editorial.html
http://www.multi-story.co.uk/haveyoursay-archive-not-all-writing-comps.html
Why is Multi-Story a Great Writing Competition Website?
- It hosts its own competitions, with credible judges, worthwhile prizes, and posts results.
- It offers great resources (a couple key ones are highlighted below) that are both informative and entertaining.
- It's easy to navigate and offers a subscription option.
- They've compiled a great list of links.
http://www.multi-story.co.uk/editorial.html
http://www.multi-story.co.uk/haveyoursay-archive-not-all-writing-comps.html
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Creative Competitor Website Review
I first found creative competitor as I was dredging the Internet for other sites like mine. Writers who had devoted themselves to the cause of writing competitions.
Creative Competitor does that and then some. They host their own contests (fee based or free for members) plus have a wealth of writing resources, critique services and writing articles.
For me the biggest appeal was the constant stream and variety of contests. Unfortunately, this about where the appeals ended.
I have been sitting on this review for a while because the website founder, Annette Young, has been promising updates, changes, redesigns, competition results etc. throughout the year. They rarely materialized and I thought I had been taken for a schmuck and that the website was no more than a self-marketing ploy for Ms. Young's ebooks.
Then I got a sad email from Ms. Young that confirmed my worst suspicions. Managing the site + all the other projects she takes on + life = serious personal toll. She cancelled all the automatic memberships payments and put things on hold indefinitely.
While the site did not deliver what I hoped it would, I definitely appreciate the honesty and integrity of Ms. Young. I wish her health and recovery and hopefully some good reading.
Meanwhile, I'm going to be posting some of the entries I made to her competitions.
Creative Competitor does that and then some. They host their own contests (fee based or free for members) plus have a wealth of writing resources, critique services and writing articles.
For me the biggest appeal was the constant stream and variety of contests. Unfortunately, this about where the appeals ended.
I have been sitting on this review for a while because the website founder, Annette Young, has been promising updates, changes, redesigns, competition results etc. throughout the year. They rarely materialized and I thought I had been taken for a schmuck and that the website was no more than a self-marketing ploy for Ms. Young's ebooks.
Then I got a sad email from Ms. Young that confirmed my worst suspicions. Managing the site + all the other projects she takes on + life = serious personal toll. She cancelled all the automatic memberships payments and put things on hold indefinitely.
While the site did not deliver what I hoped it would, I definitely appreciate the honesty and integrity of Ms. Young. I wish her health and recovery and hopefully some good reading.
Meanwhile, I'm going to be posting some of the entries I made to her competitions.
Friday, April 13, 2012
How to use Duotrope as a resource for Writing Competitions
One of the websites that listed as a must-have resource for all writers is duotrope.com. It is really an incredible database of print and online publications. It's almost like a giant super mall for writers. Translation- it is overwhelming at first glance.
However, I have been with it for some time now and can definitely say that it is indeed an incredible resource. I've put together a few of my favorite features that will perhaps help you as you seek out more competitions to enter, or even places to submit writing. After all getting published is in itself the ultimate writing competition.
1. Get on the email list. The Weekly Wire lists New Paying Markets, Non Paying Markets (aka resume builders), Fee-based markets (aka competitions -see picture below), other updates, and Upcoming Deadlines (a great way to organize and prioritize, although the email is only a partial list).
If you find something that interests you, click on it and you'll be taken to an information screen.Which brings me to the next tip.
2. Take a couple hours and get familiar with all the sites features. There's a lot the site offers and I don't want this to be a complete tutorial. Besides, they say you learn more by doing, so I'm doing you a favor! One of my favorite features is a thing called "Track this" which comes after any listed deadline.
However, I have been with it for some time now and can definitely say that it is indeed an incredible resource. I've put together a few of my favorite features that will perhaps help you as you seek out more competitions to enter, or even places to submit writing. After all getting published is in itself the ultimate writing competition.
1. Get on the email list. The Weekly Wire lists New Paying Markets, Non Paying Markets (aka resume builders), Fee-based markets (aka competitions -see picture below), other updates, and Upcoming Deadlines (a great way to organize and prioritize, although the email is only a partial list).
If you find something that interests you, click on it and you'll be taken to an information screen.Which brings me to the next tip.
2. Take a couple hours and get familiar with all the sites features. There's a lot the site offers and I don't want this to be a complete tutorial. Besides, they say you learn more by doing, so I'm doing you a favor! One of my favorite features is a thing called "Track this" which comes after any listed deadline.
Do this a few times and you will have a specialized list on your own member page
You can do the same thing if you are interested in a certain publication but not for their current request for submissions.
3. Lastly, check the site regularly. The calendar is always changing. Sites are coming and going, so be a frequent shopper.
If you already use Duotrope and have a favorite feature or strategy please let me know!
Monday, December 5, 2011
Website Review - FundsForWriters
Website Review – FundsForWriters
I stumbled across Funds For Writers (FFW) through Writer’s Digest. It’s quickly proven to be one of my favorite resources. It has a wealth of information that is conveniently organized and delivered with a personalization that no other site can offer.
Founded by C. Hope Clark, this is more than just a website. It’s a world of writing opportunity and advice, presented in every web-errific way.
>Website – easy navigation, springboard to opportunity, including her own contest.
>Email – weekly newsletter that includes advice, personal stories, contest links, and job links.
>Blog – further insight not found in the other places
The biggest value of this site is the email list you can subscribe to (there are actually two, and I subscribe to both). I am consistently amazed at Clark’s caring yet firm tone as she provides solid advice for any writer. Maybe it’s the smiling picture she always leads off with that makes her guidance that much more tolerable. The other thing I appreciate is that the content she provides is different for each platform. She could easily take the easy way out and repost her email leader on the blog, but she doesn’t. It’s that level of passion and dedication that transcends FFW and makes it an absolute must for any writer.
I stumbled across Funds For Writers (FFW) through Writer’s Digest. It’s quickly proven to be one of my favorite resources. It has a wealth of information that is conveniently organized and delivered with a personalization that no other site can offer.
Founded by C. Hope Clark, this is more than just a website. It’s a world of writing opportunity and advice, presented in every web-errific way.
>Website – easy navigation, springboard to opportunity, including her own contest.
>Email – weekly newsletter that includes advice, personal stories, contest links, and job links.
>Blog – further insight not found in the other places
The biggest value of this site is the email list you can subscribe to (there are actually two, and I subscribe to both). I am consistently amazed at Clark’s caring yet firm tone as she provides solid advice for any writer. Maybe it’s the smiling picture she always leads off with that makes her guidance that much more tolerable. The other thing I appreciate is that the content she provides is different for each platform. She could easily take the easy way out and repost her email leader on the blog, but she doesn’t. It’s that level of passion and dedication that transcends FFW and makes it an absolute must for any writer.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Website Review - Fanstory.com
Fanstory is a site built on the concepts of contests and feedback. $60 gets you a year's subscription, or you can subscribe monthly for $7. On the surface, the site's mechanics are very simple. Enter a contest, submit your work, get feedback. Based on the number of contests, and opportunity to get reviews on your writing, I feel that the price of the site is justified. However, I'd like to take the opportunity to fully describe what exactly it is you'll get.
CONTESTS- There are two types, member created (non-cash) and site created (for the $).
Member created contests may be blind (author information hidden) or public. They involve a writing prompt or challenge, and the entries are voted on by other site members. Readers can share what they liked about the piece they voted for. Entry into these contests generally requires member dollars and the prize is often member dollars as well.
5-6 site created contests are announced monthly, and can range from a specific type of poetry (haiku, tanka, nonet, sonnet, free verse, and acrostic seem to be favorites) to various prose contests. They have contests where they provide the opening sentence, flash fiction contests, and non-fiction/essay contests. The submissions are sent to judges and winners are announced generally 3-5 days after the contest closes.
FEEDBACK- This is the bread and butter of the website. Feedback is all peer review, and there are pros and cons with that. There are two ways reviews are generated - motivated by member dollars or from your followers. I've mentioned member dollars a few times now, so let's get into that a little bit.
Member dollars are the currency of fanstory. You need them to enter member contest, and you need them to promote your work. You earn them by either winning a member created contest, or by reviewing other people's work. It's a smart site design to make reviewing the primary mechanism by which you can promote your work. It also has its drawbacks. The main motivation to provide quality reviews is the monthly reviewing contest. Majority of reviewers are just reviewing to earn member dollars. (I started that way myself, but now have moved to more constructive reviews)
Without member dollars, your work will only get two pieces of feedback. You need member dollars to purchase tools that raise the publicity of your piece, or add more of a reward to those who read it. You can become eligible for special accolades if you get a certain number of reviews. These accolades boost your ranking as a writer on the website.
Every now and then, you will get quality feedback where someone actually calls out typos, identifies issues with the content of the piece as well as provide their emotional reaction. Make sure you express your appreciation.
One important thing to note is that all reviews are public.
I also mentioned followers. Fanstory members can follow writers they like. They will be notified of any new piece you submit, and they are more likely to give you constructive reviews.
OTHER FEATURES - The website also allows you the opportunity to submit your work to a critical panel which will assess the level of quality of any piece you write. There are classes offered on a multitude of writing topics (for additional fee) and there's a discussion forum as well.
Likes:
CONTESTS- There are two types, member created (non-cash) and site created (for the $).
Member created contests may be blind (author information hidden) or public. They involve a writing prompt or challenge, and the entries are voted on by other site members. Readers can share what they liked about the piece they voted for. Entry into these contests generally requires member dollars and the prize is often member dollars as well.
5-6 site created contests are announced monthly, and can range from a specific type of poetry (haiku, tanka, nonet, sonnet, free verse, and acrostic seem to be favorites) to various prose contests. They have contests where they provide the opening sentence, flash fiction contests, and non-fiction/essay contests. The submissions are sent to judges and winners are announced generally 3-5 days after the contest closes.
FEEDBACK- This is the bread and butter of the website. Feedback is all peer review, and there are pros and cons with that. There are two ways reviews are generated - motivated by member dollars or from your followers. I've mentioned member dollars a few times now, so let's get into that a little bit.
Member dollars are the currency of fanstory. You need them to enter member contest, and you need them to promote your work. You earn them by either winning a member created contest, or by reviewing other people's work. It's a smart site design to make reviewing the primary mechanism by which you can promote your work. It also has its drawbacks. The main motivation to provide quality reviews is the monthly reviewing contest. Majority of reviewers are just reviewing to earn member dollars. (I started that way myself, but now have moved to more constructive reviews)
Without member dollars, your work will only get two pieces of feedback. You need member dollars to purchase tools that raise the publicity of your piece, or add more of a reward to those who read it. You can become eligible for special accolades if you get a certain number of reviews. These accolades boost your ranking as a writer on the website.
Every now and then, you will get quality feedback where someone actually calls out typos, identifies issues with the content of the piece as well as provide their emotional reaction. Make sure you express your appreciation.
One important thing to note is that all reviews are public.
I also mentioned followers. Fanstory members can follow writers they like. They will be notified of any new piece you submit, and they are more likely to give you constructive reviews.
OTHER FEATURES - The website also allows you the opportunity to submit your work to a critical panel which will assess the level of quality of any piece you write. There are classes offered on a multitude of writing topics (for additional fee) and there's a discussion forum as well.
Likes:
- Offers several competitions for cash prizes every month
- Guaranteed peer feedback on every piece
- Offers tons of other non cash contests
- Easy to access winning writers' stories via their profile
- Opportunity to build a platform
- Have to constantly build up "member dollars" to promote your work
- Peer reviews not always that good quality
- Can only post 2 pieces a day
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