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View Full Version : Contest Suggestion: Re: Poetry Chapbook


dclary
05-15-2007, 11:24 PM
In general, the Poetry Critique board should be for soliciting criticism, advice for help, or just general impressions, right?

And if you just want to share some work that you've written, then post in the Chapbook.

I am certain that every person who posts a poem in the Chapbook is not posting there simply for posterity. They'd like some sort of validation that their work was at least read, even if not liked.

In the last month we've got like 8 or 9 poems in there without a single reply, and in some cases fewer than 5 total views. Ok, half of those are ddgryphon's Unicorn poem, but still... He'd like to know someone's read his stuff. I'd like to know someone read mine.

You know how the blogging forum has a Blog-out or some such crap where people commit to read and post comments on a certain number of blogs a day or some such nonsense? We should have something like that for the poetry forum. A "AW Poet's Appreciation Day."

Hell, make it a contest. That always gets people going.

Pick a day, or a weekend, or a week, and have everyone commit to read as many poems in the chapbook as possible. You don't need to comment on each one, or RP any of them. Just read them. And if you find one that really blows your mind, then comment, or RP, or send the contest organizer a note that says "Wow. I loved that one."

I have no idea how to make reading a contest. Maybe someone else does. But the poets in the Chapbook want to be read, and I'll pony up a $25 Amazon gift certificate as a prize for whatever contest our Poet Laureate or Moderator or other helpful soul can come up with in an attempt to get people to read them.

Stew21
05-15-2007, 11:40 PM
I'm not sure how it would be judged, as a contest, but it is certainly worth the effort. Many of the comments made in the crit forum are acceptable comments in the Chapbook, it is the detailed crits that should stay in that forum.
I believe the division of the poetry forum was set because some people didn't require or want the in-depth responses, mostly so the people that took the time to offer them weren't wasting their time, so the Chapbook was formed for poetry that the poet does not want or need to edit or change, just so people don't spend a large amount of time critiquing it.
Unfortunately, I think the downfall has been that it is dismissed as not requiring comment or feedback at all. so, I agree with you.
And a lot of times I don't need a line by line crit particularly on something I don't think I'll take the time to change, or can't imagine a different way, or was a Psyche-dump, (sometimes I do want crit, or even any suggestion someone may have), but I know that if I put it in the chapbook, it will go nearly unnoticed so I end up seeking crit on them more times than not simply for the desired feedback to be offered.
funny, used to be hardly anyone paid attention to the crit forum.

Let me think on how we can do a Poetry Reader's Challenge and get back to you, Dave.

ddgryphon
05-16-2007, 12:53 AM
I apologize for the Unicorn poems publicly--here and now. I'll say again, they are offered warts and all as an image of what I wrote at one point in my life--thank goodness we've gotten past them.

This is a brilliant idea--in spite of my unicorn poems--and perhaps we could find a way to make a contest out of reading the Chapbook and minimum feedback (two sentences summarizing your feelings on each poem, not a crit just a reaction to it).

Whoever does the most comments in a weekend wins? What say the Poet au la Chapeau?

Annie O
05-16-2007, 11:25 PM
What a wonderful idea. I would definitely be interested in joining in. Anything to get people reading more poetry.

P.H.Delarran
05-18-2007, 09:20 AM
I'm all for some kind of reader-ship drive in the Chapbook. I think our poets deserve it. Some kind of contest could work, but I hope that it won't cheapen the reads to just a vehicle towards winning.

poetinahat
05-22-2007, 09:23 AM
Good idea, and most generous, Brother Dave.

But how... (strokes chin -- his own, that is -- thoughtfully)

Stew21
05-24-2007, 07:13 PM
I guess it's like getting dressed in front of an uncovered window, though, isn't it. I'm a word voyeur.


And I suppose that makes me your Peeping Tom. :)