R2R's Next BIG Author Contest!! May the best article win!!

[Maddlesrain]

I'm interested!

 

[CindyKz]

Must come up with a topic idea!

 

[leahfiish]

Does anyone have any topics that they'd like to see an article about? I'm trying to come up with an idea.

 

[Sipec]

CALLING ALL WRITERS and ASPIRING WRITERS!! REEF2REEF is offering YOU a chance to win CASH for CREATIVE CONTENT!

Welcome to R2R's Next BIG Author Contest! May the best article win!!

So...here's how it works...

The Prize(s):

1. The GRAND PRIZE is $100 cash to the writer whose article selected as the BEST submission!
2. As a RUNNER-UP prize, all authors whose articles are published on R2R will receive a cash prize of $30. That means that even if you don't win the GRAND PRIZE, you could still take home $30 for your submission!

How to Enter:

• Each writer may submit their article(s) by emailing a Word document or PDF file to [email protected]. (Please put "R2R's Next BIG Author Contest" in the subject line of the email.)
• Once you have entered (or if you are interested in entering), please make a post in this thread so that we can be sure you are included in a special usergroup we will be creating for content writers.

Guidelines for Entries:

There's no limit to number of submissions allowed, but the following criteria do apply to all submissions:

Entries must be submitted no later than May 1st to be considered (or until we have at least 15 entries). It will take us some time to go through the entries, so we will plan to announce the winner on May 15th.

Be sure to include your R2R username on all submissions so we know which ones are yours.​

Purpose Statement: The goal of articles published at R2R is to provide a broad range of informative and useful content for saltwater aquarium hobbyists.

Format:

1. Articles must include photos. They say a picture is worth a thousand words (except when it comes to guideline #2). One thing's for sure, pictures make reading articles more enjoyable. Please be sure you have at least 2 pictures in any article submitted (you can always use any pictures you find at Reef2Reef.com as long as you give credit to the member who posted them). Do NOT use pictures that are not your own without giving credit to the photographer.
2. Articles must be at least 600 words in length.
3. Articles should be submitted as MS Word documents or as PDF files.

Well written:

1. The content is clear and concise, and the spelling and grammar are correct (we have editors who can help with meeting this requirement, so reach out to the staff if you want to submit an article to an editor for help in checking and correcting these issues); and
2. Must be useful and informative
3. Uses appropriate diction

Verifiable:

1. If applicable, it contains a list of any references used (sources of information).
2. All citations are from reliable sources, including those for direct quotations, statistics, published opinion, and counter-intuitive or controversial statements that are challenged or likely to be challenged.
3. It contains no copyright violations nor plagiarism.
4. While differences of opinion among articles will be tolerated, articles containing information that is deemed to be incorrect will be rejected.

Coherent:

1. It stays focused on the topic addressed.
2. Ensures any use of creative illustrations informs the reader rather than distracting them.

Fair:

1. Opinions abound in this hobby, and there are 1000's of ways to keep a reef. Be sure you represent when a statement you make is a matter of opinion rather than purely factual.
2. Be fair to the opinions and viewpoints of others even when disagreeing with them.

Article deadline:

All articles must be submitted by May 1st for consideration as entries. Winner will be announced on May 15th.

Now...dust off those keyboards and let the writing BEGIN!!

Interested

 

[Sipec]

Does anyone have any topics that they'd like to see an article about? I'm trying to come up with an idea.

Your tank maybe?

 

[Daniel@R2R]

I'm thinking about posting up a list of potential topics just to give some ideas. However, the fear I have is that people will think we're looking for articles specifically off of that list. We honestly want articles on whatever you'd be most interested in writing about!

So...that being said, would a list be helpful? Or should we just leave it up to individual authors to come up with their own stuff/ideas?

 

[leahfiish]

I'm thinking about posting up a list of potential topics just to give some ideas. However, the fear I have is that people will think we're looking for articles specifically off of that list. We honestly want articles on whatever you'd be most interested in writing about!

So...that being said, would a list be helpful? Or should we just leave it up to individual authors to come up with their own stuff/ideas?

I need a list, as least to get some ideas

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Hi everyone! We're extending this deadline to allow everyone more time to get their articles in (new deadline will be May 27th)!

Additionally, here's a list of ideas that you can pull from for inspiration, but please DON'T restrict yourselves to these topics! The sky's the limit!!

Some general article ideas:

• DIY Feature – Article on some DIY reef innovation (could be equipment, chemistry, etc.). Basically a how-to-do-it-yourself article on something useful and not easily figured out by most people without some instruction.
• Zoa Spotlight - Article spotlighting some specific zoa
• LPS Spotlight - Article spotlighting some specific LPS
• SPS Spotlight - Article spotlighting some specific SPS.
• NPS Spotlight – Yeah…you get the idea…
• Fish Spotlight - Spotlight article on a specific fish species.
• Featured Pest / Tank Terror - Anything from a particular nuisance algae to cyano, AEFW, fish disease (ICH, velvet)...you name it...anything that is an aggravation in this hobby that can be a plague to hobbyists.
• Equipment Feature - This could be a review of a specific new piece of equipment (i.e. Radion G4) or it might just be a general article on skimmers or ATO's, etc. I'd be looking at full out reviews for specific items, but for the general items focus on general function, benefits, best practices, price range, etc. The sky's the limit.
  
• Incredible Invert Article – pick your favorite invert and write about it

Some more specific ideas:

• An article about the basics of working with acrylic
• DIY article on working with LEDs
• Articles on Reef Photography – Here are a few ideas for articles on reef photography:
  • Integrity in reef photography
  • The over-saturation question - what a picture should or shouldn't look like (I would include how to avoid crying "wolf" over every coral picture that looks decent)
  • Taking pics under actinics
  • In-tank photography - Getting your camra wet (underwater cameras, etc.)
  • Taking quality videos
  • Fun with reef photography (creative ideas)
• Redundancy in Reefing - how having various fail-safes could save your tank
• Recovering from a crash
• The Benefits of Reefing in Community - Why Local Reef Clubs are important
• How to Start a Reef Club
• Articles on latest crazes (WD, Bounce Shroom), etc.)
• Exotic Seahares - Here's a link that sparked the idea: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/exotic-sea-hares.220854/
• Pygmy Seahorses - like the ones here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/has-anyone-ever-tried-keeping-pygmy-seahorses.220871/
• Aquascaping how to’s
• What to look for when picking a skimmer
• What to look for when selecting LED lighting
• More DIY article ideas:
  • battery backup
  • Auto Top Off
  • Apex break-out box
  • Apex Alarms (e.g. sump level, wet floor, etc)
  • Sump design
  • sump room electrical panel
  • Fault-tolerant electrical design ideas
  • the basics of working with acrylic
  • working with LEDs
  • plumbing
• An article on reefer acronyms and slang
• Equipment reviews and explanations
• Sponges (care, fragging and different types)
• Encouraging bonded pairs for certain species
• Common misconceptions/old wives tales in the hobby
• Flow
• Plumbing (head loss compensation, size of pumps needed, etc.) (maybe include calculators?)
• Skimmers (circulating vs non-circulating)
• ATO options and designs
• Auto water changes with equipment lists
• Water chemistry for beginners: keeping water parameters stable, dosing cal, mag, buffers etc.
• All in 1 on the different reef keeping methods (triton, balling, aquaforest, ect) to make it easier to compare them
• Filtration: specifically bio media and do we need all that other stuff (purigen, Kent chemi pure, etc.)
• Alk monitoring options (comparing the available options) …you could include the options that are currently available and also give a nod toward options that are still in the works.

 

[LEOreefer]

Submitted my first article ever just now !

 

[Maddlesrain]

I'm so glad that the deadline for this was extended I'm nearly finished with my article!!

 

[Eva Rose]

Submitted.

 

[Always Reefin']

Article submitted.

 

[Susan Edwards]

Oh, forgot to post here that I sent in an article!

 

[LEOreefer]

It past the deadline when will we hear something ? @mdbannister

 

[Susan Edwards]

I thought it was changed to june 15th

 

[LEOreefer]

I thought it was changed to june 15th

Was it? I’m not sure because a few post up it says may 27th Hahahaha

 

[Always Reefin']

...

 

[Always Reefin']

Wasn’t there supposed to be an announcement June 15th?

 

[Daniel@R2R]

We are accepting articles until we get to our minimum requirement of 15 entries, so please continue to submit your articles!

 

[Surfzone]

I may have to revise a wright up I did on water chemistry.