We sometimes pretend that we have a little time left over from creating GUD Magazine, and we'd be interested to know how you think we should use it:

EITHER

• A pay-to-submit (not huge sums--maybe $2 or $3 an entry) contest, where the top so-many winners split the pot with GUD?  Winning content would be published on the site.  Would you participate?

OR

• Small Flash games based on stuff we've published.  Stories, art, poems--the field is open!  Whaddya think?*

Let us know which you'd prefer!  Or suggest something else entirely. :)

In the meantime, let us tell you what we've got coming up:

• A "What type of creativity are you?" quiz hosted on GUD.  Maybe this will be the meme that takes off.  And if you need the distraction, something from a few years ago: "What type of Poem are you?"
• More blog content!  Ideas welcome :) .  Do you want interviews with our contribs?  Meanderings about the magazine creation process?  Tell us!
• Issue 3!  Issue 3 is coming up!  We're in the final round of proofing, so it should be going to the printer this week or next!  Julia's about to close Issue 4 so she can make her final picks, and I'm about to open Issue 5 up to submissions.  All current submissions not shortlisted will be considered for Issue 5.

*of course, we wouldn't dream of doing this without contributor consent.  But if you've got an idea, we'll see if we can make it happen.

10 comments; 8 subscribers

Tuesday, July 8, 2008 / 22:16:45

skankityspence

Personally, I like both ideas.

I think that the contest would be good for people who might not be well enough to get published, but still able to contribute to GUD - and in a fun way.

I'd love to see some games, too. That'd just be neat. :)

 

Tuesday, July 8, 2008 / 22:48:19

Zippy

I think the contest is a better idea. It seems a lot more open. Flash games would be neat, but I get the impression that it might be a bit sparse. There's a lot of permission involved. Not to mention, a lot of people might be turned off of the game, if they didn't see the aprticular piece it was based on.
Of course, it could also work in reverse, where someone could be turned on by the game :o
But anyway, like skankityspence said, the contest idea is good for people who aren't quite publishing material, but still a bit above par.

 

Wednesday, July 9, 2008 / 00:28:02

kaolin

Interesting--I wouldn't say something we published online via a contest would necessarily below quality of what we want for print--just _different_. There's a slight gimmick to the contest idea I have in mind, one that I think will rule out most trunk stories--but hopefully it's not one that will lessen the inherent worth of anything written to it. I trust that we'll receive quality submissions, contest or otherwise. I'll make a note that I have to color the contest announcement properly :)

 

Wednesday, July 9, 2008 / 02:04:27

Beatnikgal

Hi I would absolutely take part in a GUD contest. GUD has such a great reputation already I'm sure you'd get a huge amount of contestants of varying levels and experience. It's sure to bring in some really interesting stuff that you might not get through in normal submissions :)

 

Wednesday, July 9, 2008 / 08:42:39

ElizaMellon

The contest is a GREAT idea - and it would definately draw readers to the site, winners' stories right there for visitors/members to read. Very encouraging to people thinking about submitting, too- examples of others' work.

 

Wednesday, July 9, 2008 / 13:56:32

nadirsup

One week contest, around 2k words, wacked out topics....

 

Wednesday, July 9, 2008 / 16:19:57

Larathanos

Sure, both sound great.

Absolutely.

 

Friday, July 11, 2008 / 04:20:14

Steven J Dines

If you can manage both, great. But if it's one or the other - contest, no question.

 

Friday, July 11, 2008 / 23:00:34

tina

The contest sounds fun! I wonder if you pitched it as a fundraiser if that would get more entries? Like when Ralan did fundraiser contests -- I always stopped to ponder if I had something I could sub.

 

Thursday, July 24, 2008 / 15:55:36

amawitch

I think the contest is a given. Everyone loves contests. I also think that the winner should be allowed to "create" the next contest as part of the winnings. Of course with approval. :}