Ideas for a poetry contest

[The Stranger]

I'm too busy right now, so I'll just roll the ball and get back with my own idea's later. If you have any idea's about how to organise it or ideas about a theme, post them.

[Orb]

Well. Theme isn't needed (could be used, though), but genre (romantic, gothic, etc...) probably is, just to enable comparison.

For organisation I'd suggest a simple thread with a 'post 'em here' along with a secondary discussion/comments thread, and then open a 'Vote for 'em here' thread once the submission deadline's been reached.

Maybe we could have a *best romantic* and *best non-romantic* award.

As themes,
Lovecraftian horror, cats, night, day, sun, battle. Anything really would do. I think it's easier to work without them (maybe just me, since my work is mostly just developed improvisation).

[Caius]

Why not a short history contest?

[Orb]

Only if it's poetic. We have plenty of story contests, but a poetry one is genuine opportunity for us lost-in-time romantics to shine. I'd love a non-fiction contest sometime, but I'd rather participate in and assist with a poetry contest both out of personal preference and for the sake of seeing some others' attempts.

[Ludens]

It's about time for the annual Mead Hall contest, so the timing is good. However, I am not sure whether making it poetry contest is a good idea: there's not that many poets on the Org, and generally the number of submissions is far lower than the number of people expressing interest.

[Agent Miles]

Ludens, seven people voted in the last writing contest. I think that branching out into a (heroic) poetry contest wouldn't hurt anything. It couldn't do worse. Maybe we could do limericks next.

[Warmaster Horus]

I'm all for it. Doesn't matter the theme, genre, whatever.

Also, Tamur is gone for some time (I guess some of you know that). He might want to either organize or participate in this contest, considering his Assistant Moderatorship in the Mead Hall.

BTW, what's the annual Mead Hall contest? Is it the same as the Spring contest?

[Ludens]

Ludens, seven people voted in the last writing contest. I think that branching out into a (heroic) poetry contest wouldn't hurt anything. It couldn't do worse. Maybe we could do limericks next.

The number of voters does not bother me. It's the number of submissions that does.

BTW, what's the annual Mead Hall contest? Is it the same as the Spring contest?

It's not really a tradition, but we've had a story contest every summer for the last three years, and I intended to organize another one this summer. The Spring contest was a one-of thing (although come to think of it, we had another story competition in the previous spring as well).

[Warmaster Horus]

Well, how about making two contests, then? A poetry contest, and a story contest.

[Ludens]

Well, how about making two contests, then? A poetry contest, and a story contest.

I think you are missing the point. If we organize a poetry contest and we get only two submissions, it's not going to be fun. Not for the organizer, and not for the participants. I'd love to have a poetry contest, but I want to be reasonably sure we get five or more submissions.

[Orb]

TS's pollination

Nine 'definites' (OK, I doubt all of those will enter, but I think certainly 4 or 5 will) and a few maybes. I'd reckon we'd get over 5.

[Warmaster Horus]

Same here. And, don't forget, some Orgahs don't enter the Frontroom much.

[Warmaster Horus]

I mentioned the Poetry contest in the Gahzette, and directed them here in the thread. Maybe that will help a bit?

[Ludens]

TS's pollination

Nine 'definites' (OK, I doubt all of those will enter, but I think certainly 4 or 5 will) and a few maybes. I'd reckon we'd get over 5.

Good. Any ideas on how to organize this?

[Warmaster Horus]

Well, define the contest (theme, genre, etc. if any). Then, advertise (ask Tosa for an announcement, for example) as well as PM'ing the people who replied favorably in TS' thread.

After that, well, do like you did for other contests...

[Orb]

Well, I'd guess the usual:

Advertisements/announcements everywhere orgly, and a basic 'submissions' and 'discussion/voting thread'. Deadlines maybe should be a little tighter than on a story contest, seeing as it takes less time and thought to both compose, read and judge a poem than a story (imho).

I wouldn't suggest a strict length or format limitation, but I would certainly suggest that a genre/theme restriction be placed, if only for the sake of allowing comparison. I couldn't (for example) compare Carew's 'Ask me no more...' (Romantic) with Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Raven' (Gothic). They're both brilliant, but so different that I couldn't decide which is better. I also feel that this would allow a fairer judgement, as that would prevent genre calls deciding between two poems of equal quality (I admit I'd probably be guilty of this too).

[master of the puppets]

i know i'd join because my poetry never sees the light of day generally. At least if you people laugh at me it can't get much worse than lol.

So seriously just advertise everywhere, have a thread for questions. have the thread where everyone posts theres in spoilers. Then after a week post a poll to chose favorites of the masses.

P.S. Best poem ever↓↓↓↓
P.P.S Well maybe not but i like it anyway.

[The Stranger]

well my holidaysa started so i have plenty of time, i think since its my idea ill organise it, probably will also be in the jury. THat being said, how shall do the voting and such, shall we use the system of annual story contest with public voting and a jury or shall we do it a bit different.

Maybe we must determine a loose maximum amount of lines, and maybe also determine which styles are allowed (per example sonnet, haiku or free form).
Orb already named a few themes and genres...

At Ludens: Offcourse only with your permission, but i think it will be a good idea to organise them together...

[Caius]

"We" (why Im incluying in this?) should contact Tosa, and he can make an announcement.

[Ludens]

well my holidaysa started so i have plenty of time, i think since its my idea ill organise it, probably will also be in the jury. THat being said, how shall do the voting and such, shall we use the system of annual story contest with public voting and a jury or shall we do it a bit different.

Maybe we must determine a loose maximum amount of lines, and maybe also determine which styles are allowed (per example sonnet, haiku or free form).
Orb already named a few themes and genres...

At Ludens: Offcourse only with your permission, but i think it will be a good idea to organise them together...

Sorry for the late reply; it's been a rather hectic month for me. I am fine with organizing a poetry contest. If you want to do it yourself, that's possible too, but I'd like to know what's happening.

As I see it, there are six things to be determined before we can start the contest.

1) Theme: required theme or not? Any other restrictions?

2) Plan: when will we start advertizing, when we will be accepting submissions and when will we be holding the votes?

3) Advertizing: I can put up an advertizement on the frontpage, and ask Tosa for a forum-wide one. We can also post topics in the frontroom and EH.

4) Submission: allow participants to post it themselves or do it through PM? Will the submissions be annonymuous?

5) Judging: poll, jury or both?

6) Prizes: I can ask the administrators about a badge for the winner. Any other suggestions?

[Warmaster Horus]

1) Theme: required, decided by organisators
2) Plan: Start advertising 1 week before beginning of submissions, submissions last for a month, voting for a week.
3) Like you said
4) Through PM, and anonymous
5) Both, I think. Jury wouldn't be too bad, since it would permit a closer judging in regard to theme
6) A badge would be fine. I don't see what else could be proposed.

My two cents...

[The Stranger]

Ludens: We could do it together, I'll give you the lead and you tell me what to do and i'll do it. Maybe we both can be in the jury, and if neccesary a third person could be jury too.

About your six points,

1) Theme: required, decided by organisators
2) Plan: Start advertising 1 week before beginning of submissions, submissions last for a month, voting for a week.
3) Like you said
4) Through PM, and anonymous
5) Both, I think. Jury wouldn't be too bad, since it would permit a closer judging in regard to theme
6) A badge would be fine. I don't see what else could be proposed.

i totally agree...

[Orb]

My opinions:

1) Theme: required, decided by organisators

Not really in favour of. Unlike with, for example, a short story, I think you could put off several submissions.

2) Plan: Start advertising 1 week before beginning of submissions, submissions last for a month, voting for a week.

I'd say two weeks for submission time.

Advertising...

Per Ludens

4) Through PM, and anonymous

I honestly don't think that there'd be much of a difference. Through PM is possibly better.

5) Both, I think. Jury wouldn't be too bad, since it would permit a closer judging in regard to theme

Polling. While a jury might well be better at judging, having jurors could reduce the number of submissions.

badge

Agreed with WmH

[Ludens]

More opinions?

A month submission time is too long in my opinion. Two weeks is better.

Ludens: We could do it together, I'll give you the lead and you tell me what to do and i'll do it. Maybe we both can be in the jury, and if neccesary a third person could be jury too.

I have to decline on both counts. I don't particularly like poetry, so I would make a poor jury member. As for the organization, the system you suggest is impractical: if I have to think of what to do I might as well do it myself. Either you do most of the work and I do the things you cannot (like posting advertisements), or I do everything.

[The Stranger]

Oke, than I say you may choose, whichever is more practical for you, it is fine with me.

[Warmaster Horus]

So, to summarize:

1) Theme: No theme

2) Plan: 1 week of advertising, 2 weeks of submissions, 1 week of voting

3) Advertizing: Announcement on the front page, and a forum-wide one. Threads in the Entrance Hall and the Frontroom

4) Submission: Through PM, anonymous

5) Judging: By poll .

6) Prizes: A badge for the winner.

Is that right?

[The Stranger]

I think that is about it... although I think a jury is better but if there isn't another person that is willing to be jury, we have no jury.

[Moros]

IF you can't find someone who wants to jury I'll join. Tough if someone else wants to, he can have my place. It's summer so no inspiration for me anyway.

[Ludens]

Oke, than I say you may choose, whichever is more practical for you, it is fine with me.

If you don't mind, I will do the organization myself. I can't do it right away, but we can start next weekend if everyone agrees.

For the record: how many participants or possible participants are here?

[Warmaster Horus]

I'm one, and I think you can count on around 5-10 participants. Considering advertizing, that should help.

There might be something about it in the Gahzette, which may help a bit.