WRiTE CLUB 2015 is just around the corner, which means I'm starting
to get my ducks in a row. It also means
I need some help. Although the number of
contest participants has expanded this year, it’s still limited at 40 (twenty bouts). In order to do that, I must narrow down what
I estimate will be 200-225 open entries (500 word samples) during the month of
April...and that’s where you come in. In
order to go about this is a fair and unbiased manner -- my plan is to create a
central repository (via Dropbox) where my wife will store all of the
submissions as they roll in, then have a selection committee of 10-15 judges
read all of those entries and vote on their favorites, which I will then use to
select the top 40.
Before you raise your hand, I want
to fully explain what you would be volunteering for. This is a big commitment! First you must be open to installing and
using Dropbox (a free file sharing program that I will provide complete
instructions on how to use). Then you will have until May 16th read what could
be 225+ entries, each one approximately 500 words long -- which equates to the
length of a small book – and select 40 of what you believe are the best ones.
Most importantly – you cannot be a WRiTE
CLUB contestant if you do this.
So, what do you say? Interested in helping shape how the
competition plays out – without officially participating? If so, leave a comment below (be sure to
include your email address), and I will be in touch by the end of the week.
Thank you in advance.
DL
That's a lot of reading. Sorry, between the Challenge and my book release, I just know I wouldn't have time.
ReplyDeleteDo you still need me as a judge for the final round? I feel kind of like a phony amongst all those other rock stars ;)
ReplyDeleteHi Don .. thanks for the thought .. but I'm not qualified and have a terrible lot on at the moment .. good luck and all the best - it's an amazing opportunity - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI reaaaaally want to do this this year because it was so fun last year but I just don't think I'll have the time. But, if it comes down to it and you really need another person, hit me up.
ReplyDeleteI'd really love to do it, but I'm really not sure I have time. If you don't get enough volunteers, let me know. I may be able to carve out an hour here or there.
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ReplyDeleteI just deleted that first attempt at commenting. ;-) I plan to enter this time. I really enjoyed the rounds last year, but didn't make it past the first volunteers. I'd love to try again. ;-)
ReplyDeleteArgh, it doesn't look like you have any volunteers yet, and I was coming here to tell you I'm knee-deep in revisions and can't commit to read everything by May :( Otherwise I'd totally be willing to help judge. I'm sorry but I will spread the word and hopefully more folks will jump in!
ReplyDeleteI'll help out, my boyfriend has Dropbox so I'm sure he'll help me install/use it. My email is laura.clipson@gmail.com.
ReplyDeleteI'll be willing to help out again, if you want me. After all, I think I've done this every Write Club except for the first one in which I participated as a contestant. Let me know.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to try submitting this year but if you don't get the volunteers you need for the preliminary reading, I could skip submitting and help out.
ReplyDeleteHi there!
ReplyDeleteI'm stopping by as many blogs as I can while getting ready for the A to Z Challenge next month. Good luck with the challenge and if you get a chance, why not stop by my blog at http://www.donnalmartin.com? I write children's books, middle grade and young adult...
Take care,
Donna L Martin
I would love to help! But I have to admit, I don't have time for 225+ entries with my hectic schedule. If there were a way to divide those up into a few different categories and cut down the amount judges would have to read, I'd totally be in!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could but editing schedule isn't going to allow me the time. Plus I agreed to review two books and beta read another. And did I mention my WIP that's hounding me to get back to it?
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like fun but A to Z Challenge! Plus, I signed up to be a judge in the Writer's Digest Self-Published contest last July and ended up with 35 books to read in a month (even though that was FAR more than what they said I'd have to read when I agreed to do it)...I swore if God would get me through that, I'd never sign up for anything like that again!
ReplyDeleteWow! It's quite remarkable how Write Club has evolved from when it first started. Wish I had the courage and commitment to do this, but maybe next time. You and your wife are amazing, DL! :)
ReplyDeleteI came to say thanks for the Blitz! It's Write Club time again? Whew, time flies. I had the most fun judging and participating. I learned a lot about writing and submitting reading entries. I'd do it again, but I'm also putting together a charity fund raiser during that time.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to pass, sadly, but I hope you get some great judges!
ReplyDeleteI would love to lend a hand, but I'm a new Team Leader for the AtoZ this year, and I'm scrambling to stay on top of that. Not always succeeding, either. I know your entries will be exciting, and I hate to miss it, but there's only so many hours I can stay awake.
ReplyDeleteI know my CP Kate had a great time doing this last year. She - and most everyone these days - has gotten a lot more busy this year. I love the look of the new blog. You're getting all fancy on us! ;)
ReplyDeleteHi DL, how many days do we get to read those 225+ entries. If its a decent time frame I would love to help you out!
ReplyDeleteHopefully you'll get those who can help DL. I would love to volunteer, thanks for the offer but it's too large a task for me to take on. I want to use Dropbox but haven't yet attempted to do so. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting, that would be a huge reading
ReplyDeleteSorry - wish I could help, but I don't have the time to do it justice. Sorry!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to help, BUT I know I'll be out of touch for part of that time. So I'm not sure if I'd be able to get through all of them. (I do, however, know all about Dropbox. My assistant and I live on it. Seriously, it's right up there with food, water, and shelter in my list of needs!)
ReplyDeleteCan I perhaps help you in some other manner?