Best Humorous
Camping Story Contest 2008

So you think you can write? You think you can write about something funny? It is my opinion that writing in a humorous vein is much more difficult than delivering the comedy on stage... not that I've done either!

But, with the medium of writing you only have access to the visual-- and cerebral-- part of your audience. It's akin to the difference between reading a recipe on a 3x5 card and tasting the final product on the plate before you.

And you, the writer, are the chef attempting to prepare the dish spelled out on the card. You've prepared this dish before-- or at least tasted of it (in the experience of the story) and are attempting to recreate the experience to the next reader that comes along. Only in this contest it's in words, not food.

After you read these rules you'll find the submission page at Best Humorous Camping Stories. The rewards are this: first place is $50, second place is $35, third place is $20, and 3 honorable mentions. This is the first year (2008) of trying this contest-- and if it goes as well as I hope I will expand the rewards for subsequent years.

Even if you're not submitting a writing for this contest please go to the contest questionaire page to answer a few questions about changes you'd like to see in this contest for next year.

The rules are simple: all submissions must be original. I'll use Copyscape to see if any portions of the writing appear on the web. Once submitted your writing is property of Door-County-Camping.com. We then reserve all rights to reprint the article/story on our website, in pdf document, or related document. We would like to eventually compile winning stories into future printable or digitized formats for future visitors to enjoy.

Your submission CAN be retracted up until the deadline date, September 5, 2008. All accepted submissions after the dealine become the property of Door-County-Camping.com and cannot be reprinted either digitally (eg: an article directory/database website) or in hard copy (eg: newspaper, magazine, etc.). You, the original author, can link into your story at Door-County-Camping.com from your own website, blog, e-zine, etc., but cannot reprint the entirety of the story on your site, etc. (Google doesn't look favorably on "duplicate content" on the web.)

A limited few (within reason) number of hard copies of your story can be printed for distribution to friends and family. BY SUBMITTING YOUR STORY YOU AGREE TO THESE TERMS.

Camping is such a fun and refreshing... and generally economical... way to spend your vacation that to not share your funny stories is a small crime. More folks should be turned on to the delights and pleasures of camping. Spending a few days or weeks "roughing it" away from our daily confining abodes offers to bring a new perspective on life for many people.

And the pleasures of camping experienced as a child will build memories that last a lifetime. I do speak from experience on this one. From my diaper days all the way through high school my parents, brother, and I went on extended cross-country camping trips for much of our summer vacations. Both my parents were teachers and were afforded the luxury of summers off. We spent much of our summers on the road.

I still have vivid memories of setting up our old canvas-topped "pop-up". Especially when we'd arrive at a new campsite and it was raining! We'd all plan exactly what every member of the family would do, before we jumped out of the car, to get the top up and enclosed with a minimum of rain inside the camper. Very fun-- and memorable. I hope to create such memories for my own son.

Coming back home to all your amenities after a camping trip is all the sweeter! I, for one, especially appreciate on-demand hot running water and showers that you can step into-- and out of-- barefoot & naked (no flip flops or robe required).

I, Anne Lupton, will initially screen the entries for appropriateness and cleanliness. Once a story is posted to its own page on Door-County-Camping.com all site visitors will have a chance to vote for their favorite entry. Up to 5 stars can be given to an entry. This final star rating will be voted on by site visitors and will be combined with the opinion of a few of my friends and family... and myself. Winning payments will be sent through Paypal unless otherwise requested (signing up for an account is free and very safe).

If you feel I've forgotten some critical element in stating the rules and parameters of this contest please contact me. Once again, the story submission page is at Best Humorous Camping Stories.

Write on all ye of merry pen!

cheers,
Anne Lupton

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