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DRAMATIC change to PoetrySoup - Team Poetrysoup's Blog

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DRAMATIC change to PoetrySoup

Blog Posted:7/15/2012 12:12:00 PM
Dear Soupers, starting in 2013 there will be a dramatic change in PoetrySoup. PoetrySoup will no longer sponsor the PoetrySoup International Poetry Contest. INSTEAD, we will sponsor smaller contests and provide FINANCIAL incentives to Premium Members who sponsor well-run contests. For example, we may give Premium Members cash prizes for how well they judge contests, and also may give them CASH to offer as prize money for subsequent contests. We are still working out the details and will provide them as soon as we have them ironed out (give us your suggestions). This change was initiated by the change in the health circumstances of our International Poetry Contest judge. We also think that this will increase the quality, frequency, and number of Premium Member contests. We look forward to these exciting changes and more enhancements in the coming months.


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Mitchell Avatar
Virginia
Mitchell
Date: 7/21/2012 2:30:00 PM
I’m very sorry to hear of the judge’s ill health…..Now, if there has to be change, here is my suggestion: Everyone that enters a PM sponsored contest (For the sake of this example, let’s use the month of July.) understands their poem will automatically be entering the Poetry Soup contest. The PM sponsors will choose the placements. There can only be one each, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places but beyond that there can be honorable mentions, etc. Each month these 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners from all the contests will be compiled into a list. Then, the PM members that sponsor a contest in August would have to consider the July winners and choose only 3 winners from that list by a voting method. PM members cannot sponsor contests for period of time, (maybe 2 months?) after each sponsoring. From a short list, Poetry Soup Team will choose the first-third placements, and honorable mentions/certificates, etc. The original contest sponsors of these top winners would also get a prize. I think with the TPS ultimately choosing the winner, there’s less likelihood of partiality, or accusations, among the members. I don’t know if this is workable, but I hope for a smooth and happy transition for all whichever choice you make. I enjoy this site! Thank you!
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Babcock Avatar
Phyllis
Babcock
Date: 7/20/2012 10:19:00 AM
First I want to say I am sorry to hear about the judge and my prayers go out for him. Second I want to thank you for your time in trying to improve the contests. Third I think you will have to define what well run means. I know you will keep us posted and good luck in setting this up.
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Goff Avatar
James Marshall
Goff
Date: 7/18/2012 7:39:00 PM
Tim nailed it...
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Ryerson Avatar
Tim
Ryerson
Date: 7/18/2012 6:51:00 PM
I have a technical(?) question first...Why aren't ellipses (three dots in a row) allowed in poem titles any more? I know for a fact that this is a change because I used them in the past. Would appreciate an answer from someone!..Something just doesn't sit right concerning this 'judges judging judges' business. Of course it's mostly subjective and a matter of taste and preference! Poems I have entered that I thought were real gems did not even place while others that I was not very happy with sometimes placed or even better. I would love to say that I don't take it personally but I am only human. To be honest, sometimes I get pretty ticked off but I always settle down later. This is one reason I have never sponsored a contest. Another reason is that I don't feel qualified to judge a poem that is not mine but that's just me...Okay, enough with the rambling and taking up space!
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Poetrysoup Avatar
Team
Poetrysoup
Date: 7/18/2012 5:44:00 AM
Tell us what you think on Brian Strand's idea. http://www.poetrysoup.com/poetry_blogs/blog_detail.aspx?BlogID=12783&PoetID=8173
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Poetrysoup Avatar
Team
Poetrysoup
Date: 7/17/2012 9:20:00 AM
Yes, Debbie. In part, we are looking to reallocate the prize money from PoetrySoup's contests to Member Contests. Beyond that, we are not certain what direction we will take.
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Williams Avatar
David
Williams
Date: 7/17/2012 6:24:00 AM
I think we need to just wait and see what TPS comes up with, then take it from there, I am sure they have nothing clear in their head yet! give them time..David
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Macmillan Avatar
Cyndi
Macmillan
Date: 7/16/2012 7:33:00 PM
Hi TPS, Sorry it took so long to get backto you. I wanted to say I appreciate what you are attempting to do, trying to ensure that the prize money gets reallocated the best possible way, and in a way which rewards premium members and create a bit more excitement about the contests, something that several PM's have mentioned seems to be fizzling out... Some of the comments below, however, have shown me that my concerns were merited. I have only a tad of programming know-how, really just enough to understand that things are never as simple as people would like them to be when it comes to adding abilities to a website or newsgroup. I have no idea if this is even possible, but my idea is this: we could have a link where YOU feature new poets to soup who are not PM's and the members (somehow???) have a way to "vote" for their fave. So all members, PMS and NON-PM's, could choose the winner. The winner is awarded a PM. We could do this quarterly, perhaps? Is this in anyway feasable? Do we have that ability to vote with "7's" rating, for example? Another way? Thinking cap on, but may be lopsided. Premium members are excited to become so OFTEN because it enables them to host/sponsor contests. I do see a rift happening if suddenly we point out "that is a PROPER contest" and that one over there "is not up to snuff." Judging is subjective, especially when it comes to written material, whether that material be fiction, poetry or non-fiction. Publishers "judge" submissions they receive every day, and every day we read about some editor who turned down a novel and that novel became a bestseller with another publishing house. It is about taste, personal taste, nothing more and nothing less. When we start to say that a judge here did a POOR job judging while another did an EXCELLENT job judging, then we are narrowing our field of vision, my opinion only. Again, I do want to thank you for trying to come up with a solution to your problem and inviting our feedback. Hopefully, the idea may trigger another that will be agreeable to the majority of soupers. Blessings, Cyndi
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Guzzi Avatar
Debbie
Guzzi
Date: 7/16/2012 11:47:00 AM
It sounds like you are saying the JUDGES will be given prizes for 'good' judging? And, certain judges will be given the ability to award cash prizes from PS's funds...is this what you are saying? Also, would the ONLY people who can judge a contest be the ones PS say are quailfied?
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Dietrich Avatar
Andrea
Dietrich
Date: 7/15/2012 9:42:00 PM
Sounds like quite a dramatic change. Who and what will determine what well run contests are? And give my best to the judge with health problems.
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The Rogue Rhymer Avatar
Natalie
The Rogue Rhymer
Date: 7/15/2012 6:52:00 PM
Hi Team PS-Sorry to hear about the judge. Hope everything turns out ok with him. I have to say this sounds like such a great idea. Can't wait to see the details.
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Poetrysoup Avatar
Team
Poetrysoup
Date: 7/15/2012 5:33:00 PM
Cindy, we are still working out the details and are open to suggestions.
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Macmillan Avatar
Cyndi
Macmillan
Date: 7/15/2012 5:01:00 PM
First, I am truly sorry to hear about the health of the Poetry Soup's International judge. Prayers sent. Second, thank you, but will there be a way to opt out of this? I prefer the contests to be about the challenge--- NOT the prize. I can also see the potential for resentment, anger and disappointment down the road to both the contest sponsors who do not 'measure up' to Soup standards (yet are respected by the members) AND to the contestees who feel that there poem should have won a cash prize but did not. I've already witnessed grumbling about placements here on the blogs in the one year since I've been a member. I love the contests and enjoy writing for as many as I can, when I have the time. I have never had a dispute, personally, with my placements and have always enjoyed using my imagination on the wide variety of contest themes. I just see too many negatives with this, the way it is currently outlined. Best wishes, however. I am often wrong. Hope so this time.
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Grisetti Avatar
Joann
Grisetti
Date: 7/15/2012 2:30:00 PM
Hope this works the way you want. Sorry about your judge being ill.
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Smith Avatar
Michael
Smith
Date: 7/15/2012 2:02:00 PM
Sounds like a great move. I'm sure it will encourage more premium members. It amazing how money motivates people.
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Goff Avatar
James Marshall
Goff
Date: 7/15/2012 1:53:00 PM
TPS...if more premium membership would encourage your successful ownership....I for one would be in favor...hip...hip...go for it! Jimbo
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Williams Avatar
David
Williams
Date: 7/15/2012 12:56:00 PM
TPS, that sounds very exciting, not quite sure what you mean about 'well-run' contests, aren't they all well-run?...will you be implementing rules?..David
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