WRiTE CLUB 2020 - SAVE WEEK

One of the most common phrases used by the voters in our preliminary bouts was "This is so hard! I like them both."  Unfortunately, only one contestant could advance in every bout, which meant somebody had to lose. The luck of the draw can be a cruel beast sometimes. But here is your opportunity to reverse someone's fortune.

You now can give three contestants a lifeline to a second chance. Below is a list of the writers who came up short in their preliminary bouts. It is a partial list right now because some bouts are still being decided, so I'll be filling in the list as more bouts are finalized. That is why we give you all week to make up your mind.

Sometime before Sunday, May 31st (noon central time) post a comment below with the names of no more than THREE writers you feel deserve a second chance to advance. The names can be any of those listed below (once all fifteen names are filled in), regardless of when the bout took place. No critique is necessary for this round. To help refresh your memory I suggest clicking on the relevant name to be taken to their bout, or use the links embedded on the WRiTE CLUB Scoreboard located HERE. Remember, more names will be added to this list - so be patient.

Alexander Scribbler

Amber Guity

Annie Corvino

Brad Berry

Cornelius Keel

J.P. Devenish

Loft Letters

Peace and Quiet

R.K. Wyatt

Sweet Baby James

WT Woman Wink N.A. Smile Luxor Lady Moonsong

Unfortunately, CaroleBaskinKilledHerHusband will be unable to continue in the contest so their name will not be placed for a SAVE consideration.

This is the last chance for some of these writers, so make it count.

Recap

WRiTE CLUB is a tournament-style competition that runs during the eight weeks prior to the DFW Conference (who is also a sponsor) and it provides writers the opportunity to compete against one another for a chance to win a host of prizes, topped off by free admission to the following year’s conference. Our writers submitted 500-word writing samples under pen names and have appeared in head-to-head in “bouts”, with the winner of each match determined by our readers—by voting for their favorites. Bout winners keep advancing until there are only two remaining and that’s when a panel of celebrity judges, who include well know authors, agents, editors, and other publishing folks, choose the ultimate champion.

Even though the contest is sponsored by DFW, anyone can vote (as long as you have a Google sign-in or verifiable email address), and when you do, we encourage you to leave a mini-critique for both writers. Oh, I forgot to mention that the voters have a chance to win a $60 Barnes and Noble gift card. Each time you vote in a bout your name will be placed in a hat and at the end of the contest, one name will be selected to receive the prize. And as an added incentive to keep readers coming back for more, we're upping the ante. Readers who place a vote in EVERY bout will have their names placed in a second hat and the name selected from that pool will win a $40 Barnes and Noble gift card. Double the chances of winning!

A few more rules –

1) One vote (with 3 names) per visitor per bout.

2) Although our contestants are anonymous, voters cannot be. Anonymous votes will not count, so if you do not have a Google account and are voting as a guest, be sure to include your name and email address.

3) Using any method (email, social media, text, etc) to solicit votes for a specific contestant will cause that contestant's immediate disqualification. It’s perfectly okay, in fact, it is encouraged to spread the word about the contest to get more people to vote, just not for a specific writer!

4) Although more of a suggestion than a rule - cast your vote before you read other comments. Do not let yourself be swayed by the opinions of others.

For those of you who are chasing after the Voting In Every Bout prize, casting a vote here is required.

NEXT WEEK - The Cage Bouts begin!