Was it not said somewhere in the announcements about the comps that WIP's could be posted? In the 'as much as you can get done in time' vein?

 

So long as your story already fits in the same category, I'd imagine. Or it'd get lower scores.

 

Is it possible to put up an official set of rules and regs?
I've gone through the original thread and the Feb announcement and while I see a lot of good discussion on how the contest should work, I didn't find many definite rules; e.g. word max/min, use of betas, posting in other places before the contest is over, etc.

Also, I haven't been able to find the Jan showcase thread for further reference.

The reason I'm asking is that not only do I want to give this month's contest a shot, I also wish to participate in Nuhuh's 500 for 500, possibly with the same story. Or should I save myself the trouble and just write two different things?

 

I have the same question about the 500 for 500. I'm writing it anyways, and if I had to choose I'd probably do 500 instead of the contest, but if it's possible to do both with the same story I'd prefer that.

 

The big issue is probably ensuring that no one knows who the judges are, and I don't see how 500 for 500 can affect that. However, I'm sure people will comment on the snippets as they are written, and that could influence judges' opinions (assuming some/all are part of the 500 for 500 group). Also, depending on how much of a beta group it turns into, it could be unfair in some ways to authors not part of it.

 

The problem isn't only knowing the judges' identities, but keeping the identity of the authors anonymous as well. One of the earliest concerns was making sure strident fanboyism for the relative "big names" didn't negatively affect the scoring of submissions by equally relative "unknowns."

 

I suppose it would be better to either separate authors completely, or to not allow judges into the group and vice-versa.

 

Anonymity of everyone is important in the comps. As is impartiality. Any sort of segregation won't work because the judges and submitters change every month.

I would personally recommend you do what I'm planning to do; use your head. Don't post comp fics in 500for500, or go ahead, but write a warning in the title, put it in spoiler tags, or w/e. Honestly though, it will be very tempting for people to read comp fics if they're involved in the same competition, whether judging or submitting, which defeats the point.

Seriously - I'd just avoid posting them in there. Maybe avoid mentioning that it's a competition fic and just act like it's any other WiP. Or write it in there and don't submit it in the comp. Or trust everyone to be honest... I had mine BETA'd, staying just about wthin the rules (or rather, within the spirit of the competition) and I BETA'd for another entry, objectively. Had I been judging, I'd have passed it over. /shrugs

As I said, I'd personally avoid it entirely, but... don't start imposing rules on a social group that's just formed to fit your own work. Doesn't, and shouldn't, work like that. Refrain.

This isn't happening - it's 'unimplementable'. Judges can see the username of authors.

 

Exactly; that's why I didn't mention that as a problem. It's a factor that can't be changed and should be ignored for the purposes of this discussion.

 

I wasn't aware of that tidbit, so thanks. I /do/ vaguely recall the discussion of author anonymity being difficult, though I assumed the problem had been solved.

In short, my bad.

 

I don't see it written here, but I assume we can only submit one story?

I'm only asking because I have two possible stories to submit. I doubt either would win, as I am a perpetually 'average' story writer. It's either going to be 'Harry Dresden and the Philosopher's stone' or 'Harry Potter; The Masquerade', but I'm not sure which to finish/polish.

 

Just out of interest, what date do you expect submission to be available? I'm rather new to DLP, but I'm planning to participate

 

My story is done, but it says I don't have the authorization to post it. I assume this stems from last month's nonsense. Would someone care to unlock it?