The Mini Contest
From time to time, the community runs a "Mini Contest" for its members. A mini contest usually runs for two weeks during the second half of the month, with entry submissions being accepted for one week and a poll typically open to votes for one additional week afterwards.
For a mini contest to run, one member of the community must volunteer to "host" a mini contest. Hosting a mini contest requires three things:
- The Genre: The "Host" of the mini contest is able to define the genre or format in which submitted entries must be written. For example, the host may choose to have the mini contest entries in song format, play format, radio broadcast style, or monologue.
- The Topic: Just like in the normal contest, the mini contest has a topic. This can be as broad or as narrow as the host wishes, but remember that if it's too narrow, you may not receive too many entrants to your contest.
- The Prize: Unlike the main contest, there is usually a prize for the mini contest. This prize should be of non-monetary value. In the past, prizes have included a winning monologue translated into a YouTube video where the winning piece was acted out, an original composed song of winning song lyrics, homemade cookies, and a copy of original artwork inspired by the winning piece. I'm very open to hearing what you might be interested in doing!
Mini contests are episodic- each one is unique and interesting. Brigits_Flame has even competed against other LiveJournal communities, such as LinebyLine, in the past in a community-vs-community writeoff. Member turnout for the mini contest has typically been much smaller than the main contest, but by running the competition later in the month, many members that have been eliminated this month are given the chance to compete again before waiting for the month to end.
Some Basic Mini Contest Rules:
- One entry is permitted per person.
- All submissions must be public- no friends locked entries
- All entries must be original work written after the starting time of the contest- you can rework an old piece and post the final draft, but do not simply link to old entries.
- Adult themes are fine, but they should be labeled NSFW (Not Safe For Work) when applicable.
Additionally, members who write for the mini contest, even on a "just for fun" basis, are welcome and invited to ask for editing. So everyone's a winner. :-)