Most of the complaints I receive, especially from newer writers to the site, is that no one reads or comments on their work. I also get complaints about the quality of the comments (whether the generic positive comment or the generic negative comment), and I hear complaints that there are too many contests focused on winning instead of on writing.

Well, Week Four of Read More in March is here to combat all of that in whatever small way it can!

Below you will find the current entries for the month-long contests being run as part of the Read More initiative. (There is still time to get your entries in, by the way, and I can add them to this news article as they come!) Your task this week is to comment intelligently and constructively on one (or more) of these deviations and/or to provide an in-depth critique of one (or more) of these deviations before the contest closes on Sunday, 30 March, 2008.

Contest entries should be put forth as the very best the writer has to offer, after all. In fact, every writing contest and contest winner on dA reflects back on this community, whether you like it or nor. So, if you really want the community to shine, it's time to break out the polish.

Prizes for the best comments and best critiques will be awarded. Check back often to see if any new entries have been added to the list!

_{(Please do not note me with your comments/critiques this time; I will review every deviation at the end of the contest.)}



Best Book Review


Projects such as *ClassicCrit and ~PoetryLibrary have long been encouraging dA writers to turn to more "academic" or formal ventures, asking folks to read and review books, analyze poems, and really get down to the nitty-gritty of deep literary discussions. In a similar vein, we'd like to introduce the Book Review Contest. That's right: we're charging you with writing an insightful, entertaining book review.

Deviants may choose any published book (nonfiction, fiction, old, new, poetry collections--you name it) and review it. Sick of hearing that Ulysses is the greatest book of the previous century? Think J. K. Rowling is under-appreciated? Want to tell other people just how awful (or wonderful) that novel from class was? Well, here's your chance!

For those of you who might be having some difficulty getting started, feel free to read a review or two at The New York Times Book Review. Websites such as Booktribes are also a great place to gain some perspective.

Entries will be judged on their craft and style, as well as for the insight they provide. A mastery of persuasive techniques will also be commended. Book Reviews should be no longer than 1,500 words and need not be excessively formal.

Please send a note entitled "REVIEW" to ^GeneratingHype with a link to your entry. Book Reviews should be uploaded to Prose-->Nonfiction-->Reviews. All entries must be received by Sunday, 30 March, 2008. The book review should be a new deviation in your gallery.


Entries So Far:
_{(Entries posted since the article went live are marked with a red bullet.)}

`Beccalicious's review of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

*lpowell's review of The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
*ThornyEnglishRose's review of Doing It by Melvin Burgess
*SilverFrostSenior's review of The Thousand Orcs by R.A. Salvatore
*FelixT's review of The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón



"How to Read..."


In the interest of promoting better reading, we'd like to see how you can finish that phrase. Consider this a guide, of sorts, for how to approach certain texts. It can be serious or satirical, or even a little silly; it can be broad like How to Read Poetry or specific like How to Read Moby Dick (as long as it doesn't "call out" specific deviants, of course), or it could even make a statement like How to Read About Blood Tears. Regardless, it should be designed as a "How To" that is both entertaining and helpful, whether tongue-in-cheek or sincere.

In 600 words or less, act as a guide for a newcomer to a certain type of literature by addressing the issue of "How to Read...".

Please send a note entitled "HOW TO" to ^GeneratingHype with a link to your entry. All entries must be received by Sunday, 30 March, 2008.


Entries So Far:
_{(Entries posted since the article went live are marked with a red bullet.)}

How to Read Flash by =Arkhein
How to Read Fan Fiction by ~methylated-spirit

How to Read Science Fiction by =BornBlitzed
How to Read this Guide by *squanpie-lit
How to read The Chronicles of Narnia by *ThornyEnglishRose
How to Read Jane Eyre by ~panahama
How to Read a Romance Novel by *SilverFrostSenior
How to Read Harry Potter by ~bekkia
How to Read Bleak House by *twilight-apple



Show Your Inspiration

People find inspiration in all sorts of places, but it's no secret that many writers are inspired by--other writers! Have you found yourself rushing to get the words out after reading an excellent story or teeming with new ideas after a certain turn of phrase? Do words--others' words--inspire you? If so, this is the contest for you! It's your chance to pay homage, or even rebel, against that author who never (or always) lets you down.

Compose a poem, no longer than 30 lines, that is directly inspired by (or shows inspiration from) a published poet, author, or work of literature. The level of inspiration is up to you. Please mention which work you are working from in your artist's comments in order to be considered for the contest. (If you can provide a link to the original work, that would be helpful, too!)

Please send a note entitled "POETRY" to ^GeneratingHype with a link to your entry. All entries must be received by Sunday, 30 March, 2008.

"Every time I try to get out, they pull me back in!" And because a poetry competition wouldn't be anything without him, please thank `PoeticWar for agreeing to help judge the "Inspiration" contest. Our former poetry GD and resident genius is a busy, busy man--but he just might have a moment or two to spend on you. Be sure to thank him for his efforts!


Entries So Far
_{(Poems posted since the article went live are marked with a red bullet.)}

Apollo Kisses by =Mattiello
Waking by ~methylated-spirit
Ode to a Tachikoma by =Arkhein
The Fall by ~almalobana

Skin Deep by *ThornyEnglishRose
From Cow Byre to Antique Lyre by ~SnaggleKitty
Merci by ~an-mcnary
Ginsberg by *TheObviousChild
The Unreliable Narrator by =BornBlitzed
Show Your Inspiration by *SilverFrostSenior
This is Just to Eulogize by *batousaijin
Lament for the Eagles by ~pandorapandora
Frozen alone by *Lycoris4
Boules de Cheveux by ~bekkia
the small hands of rain by *livingtoxic
Insomniac by ~wonderfulrachel



All deviants who suggest a poetry or prose deviation for a DD during the month of March will be entered for a drawing to win devWEAR, prints, and subs.

Who's Suggesting DDs?