Why, hello there. I am so happy to meet you!

Admins

• Anni
• Fanatic
• jago

Voting Scale

1. for an entry that is so badly written, you are unable to read/understand what it says.
2. for an entry that is below average, has many spelling or grammar errors, and doesn't really meet the contest criteria.
3. for an entry that could have been good, if the author had spent 15 minutes proof-reading the entry.
4. for an idea that's not bad, but not great, or maybe has a spelling error.
5. for a good entry that has no grammatical or spelling errors.
6. for an entry that has no grammatical or spelling errors and is a great idea/funny/touching etc.
7. for a good entry that has no errors, and made me say "wow!"
8. for an amazingly good entry that has no errors, and made me want to read more by the author.
9. for an amazing entry that is exactly what the contest called for, had no errors, and makes me want to read everything written by the author.

What are the requirements for entering Worth's Writing contests?

Beginner's and Advanced text Contests may be entered by anyone, with the exception of TG:Writer's 101 contests which are long-form contests for beginning writers. There is no limit to the number of entries you may submit, unless one is listed in the contest description.

Entries

You must be the original author of your entry, first and foremost. It needs saying -- do not enter anyone else's writing as your own work; not only will your entry be disqualified, you could be banned from participating in any contest on the site, in any category.

You are not permitted to use pictures, illustrations or graphic layouts of any kind in your entries, unless specifically permitted in the contest's rules. This is a writing area, for text only.

Do not enter jokes you've found on the internet, have heard in movie, radio, or television broadcasts, or from a stand up comedian or talk-show host. Do not recycle old limericks, bumper-sticker humor, net lore, one liners, etc, that have been around long enough to have no creditable source, either. Be original, unless otherwise specified in the contest's description. Writing [formerly called "Text" ] contests are not about the funniest, most eloquent, most interesting things you have ever heard about -- they are about the funniest, most eloquent, most interesting things you yourself have written.

Your Writing contest entry should follow the spirit of Worth's usual guidelines with regard to taste and subject matter. Pornography, overly racy writing in a contest intended for all ages, overt profanity, hateful, bigoted or otherwise sick-making entries will be disqualified. Going around the word filter counts as profanity, too -- don't do it unless you have prior approval from an admin.

Strong attention to spelling, grammar and punctuation is required, and will be considered a measure of quality, so be sure to spell check and proofread before you enter. It is also advisable to proof your entry after you enter it, to ensure it will be viewed as you intended it (check for spacing, paragraph breaks, etc.). You can access your own entry at any time during a contest's Submit period via your own Stats page, but will not be able to edit your entry once the Submit period has ended. Too many blatant spelling/grammar/punctuation errors will result in disqualification, but we will be somewhat flexible with minor errors and typos, requiring only that you fix them when asked to do so.

Entry length: When a Word Limit is imposed, the word count is strict, closely monitored, and may not be exceeded.

What cannot be used in an entry?

The following are items that we don't allow because of annoying overuse, controversy, illegality, being off-topic or because using them is lazy. They are usually disqualified on sight by the administrators. However, in their discretion, the admins may allow entries to remain in the contest based on individual merit, even though they violate one or more of these proscriptions. If you choose to ignore this list, you do so at your own risk, and if you complain about selective enforcement, you need to come back and read this paragraph again.

Entries with elements we do not permit

• Your entry has elements that are not safe for work (i.e. descriptions of porn/hate crimes/injury/sickness/obscenity) in a contest that is labeled appropriate for all audiences.
• Your entry has elements that would likely be offensive to the majority of people who read it.
• The intent of your entry is blatantly to make a controversial political statement.
• Your entry contains material that you didn't have the legal right to use.
• Your entry contains a signature.
• Your entry contains a web address.
• Your entry contains a graphic, unless graphics are specifically allowed in a contest.

Lazy entries

• You resubmitted an entry that had previously been voted on in ANY contest.
• Your entry uses an idea similar to one that finished in the top 10 of a previous contest of a similar type.
• Your entry does not meet the general quality level we require on the site for an advanced contest.

Annoying, overused entries (cliches)

• Your entry contains Britney Spears.
• Your entry contains Former President George W. Bush.
• Your entry contains scantily clad women (i.e. in bikinis) for no practical reason.
• Your entry contains Star Wars references.
• Your entry contains the Statue of Liberty.
• Your entry contains the World Trade Center buildings.
• Your entry contains Adolf Hitler, or Nazi references.
• Your entry contains Osama Bin Laden or terrorist references.

Off-topic entries

• Your entry doesn't meet the intention and worded requirements of the contest rules.

TG:Writers101

It's a contest series that will run strictly in the "Beginners" area of Text.

What makes it different from what we already have? It will only be for Beginner writers(or writers who have not won any combination of 2 Advanced trophies in Text.) It will have "Advanced Contest" themes and word counts but will be geared more for learning about writing effectively and conveying a story to a reader in a pleasing manner.

The voting scale for this area of contests shows the intention of the new contests. This new voting scale should be used ONLY for this contest type. The scores are to help indicate to the writer/submitter what is needed in their piece. What is lacking, and what needs work.

Comments are definitely encouraged, but they must be constructive and helpful to a new writer and aimed towards helping them achieve success in writing, so that they may move up to the Advanced contests.

For the sake of this particular contest type, Advanced trophies received from a "Poetry" or "Haiku" contest will NOT be counted toward the two Advanced trophies that would move you out of this contest area.

Voting Scale for TG:Writers101 contests only:

TG:Writers101:

1. There is no 1. (Stories that break the rules will be disqualified.)
2. The entry is focused on plot (to the exclusion of characters, setting, and theme), and the plot really doesn't seem to go anywhere.
3. The story is fair, as far as it goes, but the characters, setting, and theme weren't as well developed.
4. The story has characters, a setting, a plot, and a theme, but they aren't very well integrated. The story is confusing or disjointed.
5. The story is not bad, and has a few great moments.
6. The story is not bad, is presented in an interesting manner, and keeps your attention throughout.
7. The story has good characters and an engaging plot, and could even be great with some additional editing and attention to detail.
8. The story is a great read, with unique material presented in an interesting way.
9. The story is Advanced contest material, needing only a few technical fixes or just a little tweaking to make for a really memorable read.
10. The story is amazingly good, and has no errors, making you think the writer should be winning trophies in Advanced contests.