A question about scheduling a story contest...

Because I know some fimfic writers read this blog, I have a question about contest scheduling.

Do you think for you personally, and for people in general, a contest that starts roughly now, and ends in early to mid February, is good timing or not?

In your answer, please say whether you write fimfics. 🙂 (I might peek at your fimfic user page to see them.)

Thank you!

P.S. The contest rules will probably be similar to the PREVIOUS contest, "Arboreal Yearnings," BUT WITH A DIFFERENT TOPIC OR PROMPT. (Also, there probably WON'T be special rules to allow stories shorter than 1000 words, because 'different rules for special cases' are a lot of work to administer.)

Comments

[bahatumay]

I’d say yes; a lot of people are going to be very busy around now and a longer deadline definitely helps.
i say as i realize i have missed quite a few contest deadlines anyway

[SparklingTwilight]

In your answer, please say whether you write fimfics. (I might peek at your fimfic user page to see them.)

I do not write fimfics. Check my profile, if you like, to confirm the veracity of this statement.

If you start a contest now, I suggest ending it in mid to late February for the reasons bahatumay states. It may be better to start the contest a few days before January 1st since many people are probably preparing for Jinglemas right now. You cannot go too wrong in timing for start dates, though. It's the endings that tend to trip people up. ... One drawback about a large entry period is people may be more likely to delay working in the first month and then they may forget the contest--that can be worked-around by posting reminders.

Congratulations on already surreptitiously pre-hyping your contest.

[Rewan Demontay]

I'd say so, yeah, helps idea brew better as well.

[Loganberry]

Yep, I'd feel two months was a good period from opening to deadline. Depending on the terms of this contest, I may not be entirely disinterested in my reply! (I'm certainly not uninterested.) So yeah, mid to late Feb seems very reasonable for the end date.

[KingSombraTheTyrantRuler]

I'd say yes. Two months to write is a good time period...

In your answer, please say whether you write fimfics. 🙂 (I might peek at your fimfic user page to see them.)

Yes, I do.