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Tania Kitchin

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Contest Etiquette

Blog Posted by Tania Kitchin: 7/1/2023 12:10:00 PM

I just wanted to mention that it is in very poor taste to post a contest, not complete it and then change it to an entirely new contest! Inconsiderate after members have already submitted entries to the previous contest. It should not be allowed; it totally disregards those who have taken the time to write a poem and should not be ignored just because that sponsor does not like the entries. I am not going to name the sponsor or contest on here. I certainly would never run a contest this way.

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Charlotte
Puddifoot

Date: 7/4/2023 3:47:00 AM

no, it's not right to chop and change with a contest; if you don't like the entries just don't place them..i had a contest once where i only felt able to place three winners, but that's unusual, it's only happened once so far..and on the subject of contest etiquette, i also think it's important for a sponsor to leave a personal comment on all their winners, which many do but some don't

Suzette Richards
Date: 7/4/2023 5:19:00 AM

I agree that a sponsor should have the decency to at least congratulate a winning/placed poet, even if you can't for whatever reason not leave an elaborate detail. After all, poets go to great trouble to support a sponsor. I don't support those sponsors anymore as my internet time is limited ...

Tania Kitchin
Date: 7/4/2023 5:06:00 AM

Charlotte, I agree, that is fair and how contests should be sponsored, I also think it's only right to leave comments as well. I look forward to them on the receiving end.

Andrea
Dietrich

Date: 7/3/2023 4:47:00 PM

The only case where this should be acceptable is if the original works are still given consideration.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 7/4/2023 8:42:00 AM

You are right. It's obvious the first five were eliminated. I didn't realize number of entries was increased. I think concise descriptions of contests would be helpful from some of the judges who seem to think we are mind readers who understand exactly what they do not want. Saying it later in a blog won't help the poets who don't even read the blogs.

Jan Allison
Date: 7/3/2023 11:34:00 PM

No they added 5 new places Andrea so obviously the new contest now stands . I hope soup admin stop this despicable behaviour its so unfair on those who take time to write only to find the contest is totally changed.

Tania Kitchin
Date: 7/3/2023 4:53:00 PM

Andrea, unfortunately, the contest sponsor did not like the entries and changed the contest instead.

Michael
Tor

Date: 7/3/2023 2:19:00 PM

Tania your concerns are not without merit. Hopefully this individual realizes the mistake heor she made and does not make it again. I feel your disappointment in your words...

Tania Kitchin
Date: 7/3/2023 3:57:00 PM

Michael, thank you, unfortunately, I do not think that this person really cares about how their actions have affected other members.

Mark
Toney

Date: 7/2/2023 8:02:00 PM

Tania, thank you for the helpful information. I worked on my poem for the last several days, and then saw your blog about the sponsor pulling the old switcheroo. A very frustrating situation for sure. I decided to submit my poem anyway. My mama taught me to finish what I start. Thanks again for the heads-up.

Tania Kitchin
Date: 7/3/2023 3:06:00 AM

Mark, you're welcome, that contest being hastily changed was done in poor taste and not respectful of those who took the time to write for the previous posted contest.

Lin Lane
Date: 7/2/2023 8:46:00 PM

I’m glad you decided to let your entry remain, Mark. I think most of us, perhaps all of us who entered before she decided to abandon her original theme are also leaving our poems in the contest. No chance to win, but taking the spots we earned by writing for the first theme.

John
Anderson

Date: 7/2/2023 7:55:00 PM

Another issue is requiring that the 'rules' include irrelevant requirements such as 'No Audio' which cannot be seen when the contest is 'blind judged', same as for 'images' and 'notes about the poem'. Poems should be judged on the words themselves, not on the irrelevant bits. Poets enter their poems for the long term, not just for the competition and they should be free to add the extraneous bits.

Lin Lane
Date: 7/2/2023 8:50:00 PM

Yes, John. We’ve paid for a premium membership that puts limits on us.

Mark
Koplin

Date: 7/2/2023 8:53:00 AM

It's been a while since I entered a contest and a long time since I posted anything, but I'm still a premium member so I'm going to give my opinion. I agree with all you ladies that changing a contest theme is bad enough but to do it without an explanation is inconsiderate. I don't blame you Tania, or anyone for not wanting to enter another contest by that person.

Tania Kitchin
Date: 7/2/2023 11:13:00 AM

Mark, thank you for your support.

Jan
Allison

Date: 7/2/2023 7:18:00 AM

Just a thought Tania, Now that poets have to follow strict rules regarding no names dates, info etc on poems. Perhaps Admin could have one for sponsors that if they hold a contest with a particular theme that they have to honour it and not change it at a whim and simply N/A poems they don't like - its not rocket science!

Tania Kitchin
Date: 7/2/2023 8:16:00 AM

Jan, hopefully the admins will take notice. I did also read that new entry, a fabulous one and not sure if that poet even knows that the contest has been completely changed!

Suzette
Richards

Date: 7/2/2023 6:37:00 AM

I hear you. There is a habit on this site where contest entries receive glowing reviews and often a statement that a particular entry is a great contender, where it does not even scratch the surface of the contest requirements. Unfortunately, due to the "popularity vote" other contestants follow suit. The upshot is that most entries are N/A as a result. I don't say that this is what happened in the case blogged about, but it might just be a contributing factor. Have a great 4th July weekend :)

Suzette Richards
Date: 7/2/2023 9:54:00 AM

You hit the nail on the head, Tania. It boils down to respecting others.

Tania Kitchin
Date: 7/2/2023 8:14:00 AM

Suzette, I agree with Jan, it may be irritating to the contest sponsor to have entries that have not followed the exact rules. They can simply N/A those entries and not change the entire contest to a completely new one due to them not liking the entries. I will not enter another contest by this member due to this. Every contest I have sponsored always had those entries but also many worthy entries. I have always respected those poets who took the time to enter them and not be petty.

Jan Allison
Date: 7/2/2023 6:54:00 AM

I agree with you Suzette about glowing reviews of contest entries where the basic rules haven't been followed but I just can't understand why the contest details of this contest had to change. If our entries aren't up to the sponsor's exacting standards then by all means give them an N/A but to totally change the contest theme is unacceptable and unfair to those who are in the process of writing on the old theme. I see a really good new entry (based on the old theme) has been posted today. just how the sponsor will now judge the contest is beyond my comprehension. I won't enter this sponsors contests again but may use them to inspire a poem or two.

Lin
Lane

Date: 7/1/2023 3:45:00 PM

btw... I noticed that the number of entries has increased by 5, so she's still expecting to receive the 35 entries she wants, and poop on the 5 poets who wrote for her original theme.

Kim
Rodrigues

Date: 7/1/2023 1:38:00 PM

Agree with you! We take the time to write for said contest.

Lin Lane
Date: 7/1/2023 3:48:00 PM

Exactly, Kim.

Lin
Lane

Date: 7/1/2023 12:47:00 PM

I'm glad you brought this up, Tania. I haven't been on PS much today and didn't know the contest had been deleted. This is not the first time this sponsor has done this, and I agree it's poor etiquette. Was an explanation given? I also entered and now it was just a waste of time.

Lin Lane
Date: 7/1/2023 1:07:00 PM

Now there's an interesting point, Jan... "not up to the sponsor's standards." I think I'll refrain from heading into the depth of that thought.

Lin Lane
Date: 7/1/2023 1:05:00 PM

Seriously? I guess mine and Jan's are also still entered, but now there's a reason that none of those already entered will have a chance of placing because whatever the new theme is, none of them will fit. I think you're right. There should be a rule against a sponsor changing the theme.

Jan Allison
Date: 7/1/2023 1:02:00 PM

All our poems were all about services - surely n/a them if they weren't up the the sponsor's standards but to pull the contest is childish

Tania Kitchin
Date: 7/1/2023 12:59:00 PM

Thank you, Lin. The contest wasn't deleted it was changed, my entry is still submitted and shows it in the new one. Seems like it would be against the rules on PS.

Jan
Allison

Date: 7/1/2023 12:32:00 PM

Well said Tania, if the contest sponsor doesn't like our entries, so be it all they need do is N/A them, but to change it to a totally different contest is so unfair on so many levels and there will be people who are writing for the contest and will find it is now not correct. I stand by my entry - a hospital of any type provides as 'service'. I'm sad that anyone would go to the lengths to blog yesterday and then have the gall to totally change the contest today.

Tania Kitchin
Date: 7/1/2023 1:00:00 PM

Jan, thank you and I concur, not a very responsible thing to do.

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