While I was online for a few minutes I spotted some suspicious voting patterns (not the votes themselves, but a certain pattern). Not being stupid, I figured out that a certain writer was going against the “No Pimping Your Own Entry” rule and discussed it with that person off-line.
It’s been decided that between us that the person will quietly step down from the contest.
Sadly, this was not the only entry that had suspicious voting patterns, but the only one that I was online long enough to be 99% sure about.
I’ll admit, I’m VERY upset that people are choosing not to play by the rules. This is NOT a popularity/marketing/begging contest. This is a writing contest. Like any other thing in the writing world, it should weigh strictly on the strength of your writing — ESPECIALLY with such an awesome prize.
Valerie and I are out on a limb here. If somehow someone cheats their way to the top, how do we hand The Laird an entry we can’t honestly say, “People think this was the best entry.”
That said, if it comes to light that another person is working around this rule and I hit the 99% sure mark again, they will also be getting a DQ email from me.
I hope that we can move one with some AWESOME entries. I’ve been totally floored by the number of participants and the level of writing I’m getting to see. KEEP IT UP!
kk,
Awwww, that’s really sad to hear. All the entries are phenomenal – it was SO HARD to pick only 5 to vote for.
Oh, that’s awful! What if that was one we voted for? Do we get to move our vote? <3
^^^^ what she said!
LOL no. This is a private thing and the person’s placement is just removed. Anyone placing behind them will be moved forward one spot.
But leave it to you to try
Sorry to hear that. Maybe Wesley and Buttercup will cheer you up: http://www.kristinaperez.com/archives/476
awwwww
I think that is really sad, we all want to win but I know I’d sure-as-hell want to win by merit alone. I hope all other writers feel the same.
Bummer. Unfortunately I think this is almost always true of “judged by the readers” writing contests. I am reluctant to enter them for this reason – too often it’s not about the quality of writing it’s about the efficient mobilization of friend-voters. Honestly I think the only way around it is to have agents judge the entries (or editors).
I’ve been VERY lucky in the past… I should have added something – If you look at the bottom of my blog, you’ll see a counter. That counter collects data like general location. Yes, I am checking which poll hits are all coming from the same spot now. I can look by the hour or by the 15 min mark even if I want.
Most people who have played along on my contests know I have zero acceptance (in life either) for cheating.
But, and let me be really clear about this — The Laird loves and works hard for her clan. She will look at these and she will KNOW if we’re passing her popularity votes. Do you think she hasn’t read this post? Do you think she won’t ask if she wonders what we’ve handed her?
Do you think that doesn’t shoot you in your own foot? Yes. Yes it does.
Play fair kids, and everything will be fine from here on out.
Is it okay to tell people about the contest and to go vote if you don’t tell them which entry is yours?
ABSOLUTELY!!! We need voters – the more votes the better!
Oh good. Thanks.