Sunday, June 13, 2010

Contest...Unsightly Begging

I was going to comment about the Land's Edge flash fiction contest at the end of this post...reminding everybody that even though there's only seven days left, it's still not too late to get started on your entries. I thought it better to move this notice up front and center. To grab the attention of the reader from the outset.

Sex... Ok, now that's I've got your attention...

The entries have trickled in the past three weeks since I first announced the contest on this blog. It has reached the point where the Land's Edge judging team meets to read and rate the stories only to end up hopped up on strong coffee, stuffing our faces with Apple Fritters and Boston Creams. Not a pretty sight...

This will be the last announcement for the contest (except for maybe a passing remark the middle of this week) so click on the link above to connect to the contest information, rules, etc (pay special attention to the 'non-spitting on judges rule'...though if it helps on getting more entries I say..."spit away, my friends"...just give me a bit of warning to throw on a rain slicker, rubber boots and ski goggles...)

The lure, of course, are the three novels available to the top three entries. These are books of varying topics of different sizes and shapes. You can link to the prize information here. Remember that anyone can enter regardless of gender, religion, left or right handedness, wearing boxers or briefs or going commando. I'm hoping that the lack of entries is an indication that you all are hard at work polishing your stories to a fine shine just waiting until moments before the Sunday, June 20th deadline...that's my story and I'm sticking to it!


The days are counting down, so get the stories entered. Consider it a public service to keep myself and the rest of the judging staff out of the Tim Horton's. If you're too busy to pen I story...we understand totally. We've all got kids, day paying jobs, dogs needing walking and neutering, etc.

I'm asking everyone, though, to advertise the contest to 'deepen the pool of stories'. Mention it on your blogs or, for those of you using the Evil Twitter technology, please Tweet the contest to your followers (I've only got 32 followers, where I know that some of you have hundreds...) I'd like to thank those of you pimping the contest if I haven't done so previously. Networking is good.

Wow, I've really rambled on here...reaching to the limits of unsightly begging. Pffth! I'd wear a fez on my head if it would help. This secondary topic has gotten kind of long-winded, leaving little space for the main topic. I guess I'll post that one another day.

16 comments:

Kara McElhinny said...

Hey Alan! The reminder is great, and I'm sorry I can't participate in the contest (bogged down in WIP world), but I'm thinking of it and your blogoversary!!

Good Luck to all who enter!

Paula RC said...

Good luck to everyone who is taking part. I look forward to reading the winner.

Anonymous said...

Can I ignore the word count limit, the holiday theme and the part about it being a story, and still enter something? It's an email I sent somebody at work about checking with the purchase monkey before committing us to more bevelled flange holders than we'll need over a six month period. I know it's not what you're looking for, but it was a really bitchin' email.

Cathy Olliffe-Webster said...

tee hee hee hee ha ha ha chuckle snortle buahaha LOL ROFL

Cat Russell said...

Anton, the email sounds terrifying. Maybe you should just save it for your blog instead and pretend it's flash fiction. :)

I'm sort of excited about the contest. If it's not a winner, I'm going to post mine on my blog because it was just so much fun to write (rough draft right now).

Good luck, everyone!

Unknown said...

Now I'd love to see a pic of you a in a fez...

By unpublished ... do you mean it couldn't have appeared on a personal blog at some point?

Ant

Anonymous said...

G - I already pretend what's on my blog is flash fiction. Any more would be taking the piss.

Alan W. Davidson said...

Kara- sighs of disappointment...but thanks. It;s the thought that counts (as I tell everyone at Christmas).

Jarmara- I'm hoping for a good crop of stories.

Anton- In the space of time it took you to write up that witty comment you could have whipped up a creative short story. Al's cracking the whip!

Cathy- Hope you didn't get any on yourself...

Catherine- Good attitude. Entering doesn't cost a thing and it doesn't hurt to try.

Anthony- I have consulting with the judging team (breakfast meeting over croisants and espressos) and we believe it's OK to enter a previous story as long as it was just on a personal blog. It may be good, or bad, that the judging staff recognizes the piece...but you are 'green lighted' sir...

Karen from Mentor said...

"just give me a bit of warning to throw on a rain slicker, rubber boots and ski goggles...."

Whoa.

um...what were we talking about? I lost my train of thought right about the time I added a fez into that scenerio.

Katey said...

I wish I had any flash skillz, but I'm still not giving up-- I may come up with something yet. Or die trying!

Oooh, that was dramatic.

I twittered it for ya a few days back-- I'll keep retweeting you.

Kat said...

Sex? Did someone say sex? (As I look around sniffing the room) I know read it somewhere....What's this nonsense about a contest? Hehehehehe

Well, I'm horribly bummed that depression kept me from entering American Weeks...I won't miss this one Alan.

Hmm...what innocent holiday to corrupt? So many choices, so little smut. ;D

Fox Lee said...

I will try my best not to give into temptation, and write a story about lower back pain ; )

Alan W. Davidson said...

Karen- You show of restraint was admirable and inspiring.

Katey- Just take scene from one of your stories, set it around an ancient viking festival...

Kat- If you are presenting us with smut, please don't sully Easter or any bunnies.

Natalie- Ummm....same goes for you. Wicked woman.

DEZMOND said...

Ah, the SEX word, I see I've finally taught you something :)))))

Alan W. Davidson said...

Shhh! Dez, watch what you say! People may talk about us...I've learned lots of good thins at Hollywood Spy ;)

kathryn said...

Very sneaky of you...leading with the big, red SEX remark. I can only imagine what the googlebot thought when it crawled your page.

Walking dogs, feeding dogs, meds for dogs....did I mention the kids? Oh, and those pesky assignment deadlines....