Following are the rules for the “Why I Write” essay contest which launches today! All are welcome to enter. No entry fee.
1. If you’re new to the Editor Unleashed forums, welcome! Please introduce yourself in the Introductions Forum.
2. Entries may not exceed 750 words. This word length will be strictly enforced and entries that exceed word length will be removed.
3. Only one entry per person.
4. Please give your entry an original title, not “Why I Write.”
5. You must be the original creator of the essay.
6. No comments on specific entries until the contest is over and the winners are chosen.
7. No editing will be allowed. Please preview your submission prior to posting it.
8. No HTML, emoticons or attachments.
9. All entrants grant Editor Unleashed and Smashwords non-exclusive digital rights.
10. To post an entry, simply hit the “Post new thread” button and paste your entry into the text box.
Finally, you must be a registered member of the Editor Unleashed forum to enter (registration is free and just takes a few minutes).
This contest will feature a popular ranking on the forum along with final judging by an editorial team. The 50 best essays will be included in the “Why I Write” anthology on Smashwords. And one Grand Prize winner will receive $500 and promotion here and on Smashwords.
Mark Your Calendar:
• Post Your Entry: Monday, November 9 – Thursday, December 31
• Popular Ranking: Monday, January 4 – Friday, January 29
Questions or comments? Post them here. And be sure to subscribe to this blog (free!) and follow me on Twitter to get contest updates.
-Maria Schneider
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Great idea, Maria. So your definition of essay is fairly broad then? :)
Yes, my definition of an essay is broad. Feel free to take creative license.
Neato! I’m already a few hundred words into my entry. :)
Cool, cos I’d already written it since you annouced this a while back. :) Just gave it a spit and polish and posted it in the forums. Three there already!
Very cool! And probably the toughest writing we can do – talking about ourselves. :)
Was fun. Thanks!
Hey Maria, is the title part of the word count? I’ve already exceeded the 750, and am paring them back, bird by bird, er, word by word.
@Tom, No, I won’t count the title in the word count.
Hi, I am from India, can I take part in this?
@Pallav, Yes, international entries are more than welcome.
Hi Maria,
I love your blog and subscribed to the newsletter. I’m also now following you on twitter (so happy I found you ! you are wonderful and love all the information you provide!)
I’d like to post my why I write before the end of the deadline. It’s funny, I have it on my blog (need to check the wordcount) called Watch out Picasso, and I wrote it without knowing about your contest! Can you let me know how to enter it? My name on twitter is writingsbylu and this is the link to Watch out picasso-I’m sure I have to watch the word count so I’ll rewrite it.
http://luswritingblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/10/1495/
The best way to view it is to scroll down the first page, this link was moved (changed blogs) so the picture isn’t right.
Hope it is not too late to enter.
Thanks for being a great writer and teacher!!
your newest fan,
LU
Hello,
I am having difficulties with the site, when links are provided I am directed to a blank page, titled Vbulletin. I want to register, but can not seem to get to the page.
Help? Thank you!
I am still havng trouble with the forum as well. Blank Pages.
Me too. I just finished my essay and went to go register, but the page wasn’t working.
If anyone is registered on Twitter (I’m not), perhaps they can contact her there and find out, then post the information back here?
Time is running out!
The most recent tweet on the subject (From the 21st) says: “The Editor Unleashed forum is having a technical glitch with the server. I’m working on getting it fixed. Sorry! “
Hmm, that was two days ago (obviously), perhaps it would be helpful to tweet her again?
I just sent a tweet her way asking if there was an new info on th forum glitch.
I hope this doesn’t completely impair the ability for us to enter…
I’m having trouble registering for the forum — there’s a place to log in, but no place to register (and no forums or error message when I try logging in.
I have written to Smashwords, the co-sponsor of the contest, to ask them if there is anything they can do to assist with this situation. It appears as if the site has been down for days now. :(
All essayed up and nowhere to post!
Hello folks,
Have spoken to Mark over at Smashwords, says he is aware of the problems, knows that there are people here who want to register and submit their essays, and is advocating patience, what with the holidays and all. :)
Look at it this way, it gives us more time to polish up our essays!!!!
That is true. Could always use some more polishing…A little more word style improvement perhaps?
The Forum is down again…Sorry!
Two more days until the contest is closed. I have not been able to register, so it’s looking more and more like I won’t be able to submit my essay. Those are the breaks, I guess.
Good luck to the rest of you who submitted!
Maria, if the site is still down on 31st December might there be an extension to the entry date? I’m poised with my essay ready to post :-)
I have just clicked on the registration page link again, and it has now changed to an error message.
I see from the other thread that Maria is working to try and resolve the issue that faces her; and us who would enter the essay contest. I’m sure she’ll let us know when she’s up and running again, and give us some direction as to how to enter.
Being a non-techie myself, she certainly has my sympathy!
Posted essay a couple weeks ago and was able to access and read others at that time. Any info about when I can return and/or when results of contest will be available – anywhere?
Follow Maria on Twitter for latest updates:
http://twitter.com/mariaschneider