there should be more contests.

can i make one?

I don't mean to sound like an ass, but there's a chat topic dedicated to this board in Chat Topic and Forum Games. Link here if you weren't aware. Coincidentally, the topic you booted off the front page with this topic happened to be mine. So thanks.

As far as I know, there's no rules against making contests on your own, but you should probably talk it over with everyone first, or we probably won't participate. Having said that, I would be weary about making one. I can tell you right off the bat that not everyone shares your opinion that there should be more. I don't recall who, but someone thinks we should keep them limited to like two a year.

What kind of contest did you have in mind?

People are free to do as they wish. If you want to make a contest, then feel free. The contests that go on here are entirely powered and generated by the will of those running them, so if you want to see it, the only one you can count on to see it through is yourself. It also depends on those willing if you'll have participants or not. Prizes can help with this.

I know Cinia Pacifica intends to host the summer contest in these coming months, but we don't necessarily have a spring contest. Valentines sort of counts.

It's entirely up to you.

cool, yeah i dont mean it to be something big, just i guess from the looks the forum looks kinda dead........ uhhhhhhh in the spirit of keeping it bumpin i guess im down to put up a prize of like 5 bucks or something and do a contest of a certain writing type like personal essays?

That wouldn't be too bad. It would actually be the first contest we've had that encouraged non-fictional writing.

You don't have to put in a pittance, though. It may be more effort than it's worth.

what's an average of number of submissions for regular seasonal contests?

Without advertisements? About 7 depending on if random people enter and if regulars show up. Sometimes a prize matters, sometimes no one cares about it.

you wanna be a judge?

You probably wouldn't need judges for something like this, although personal essays can be really enjoyable reads.

I'm just a little saddened because our two resident satirical absurdists seem to be taking a little hiatus from the section and they would likely produce the best essays.

nah we'd definitely need a judge or 3

I think with judges it would definitely be more competitive, which works for me since I'm so competitive.

By all means, have them if you wish and can find them, but the notion is a little silly for $5.

I'd prefer to hang back and submit a little something of my own if you go through with this, though.

Yes, $5 dollars is ridiculous. If your plan is to attract more people with a prize, you'll need something more substantial.