I'm a few days into the novel writing contest which I've mentioned in my last couple of entries. As I'd suspected, one of the big challenges is getting people to take the time to read your work. The Gather.com web site has a kludgy GUI, so that navigating around is difficult. This contest has attracted a remarkable number of entries. They only stay posted for 14 days, but the current running total is 253. I've probably read about 12 or so of the chapters during the past few days and commented on most of those, while also casting a vote.
It is difficult to see how the contest administrators will ensure a "fair vote", since there is all kinds of possibilities for ballot stuffing. One control is that only Gather.com members can vote and it looks like one is restricted to vote only once, though you can make multiple comments.
I've gotten 9 votes and 4 comments so far, with a score of 4.2 out of 10. By contrast, some of the entries have votes in the amount of 100 or so, so there is much more averaging of votes.
I'll finish with a couple of points. There are a couple of entries I thought were pretty good.
In the interests of disclosure, I'll note that one is by a relative of mine, but I tried to be objective in assessing the entry.
The two entries I'd suggest you try to read in addition to my own are:
Juria - http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474976921900
Luther's Cross -
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474976919845
My own entry Growing Up Single is at : http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474976919648
If you do go out to the site, you can read as you wish, but to vote (1-10) or comment, they'll want you to join the site.
That's all for now.