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Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/13553-Cleaning-House.html
Contests & Activities: January 14, 2026 Issue [#13553]




 This week: Cleaning House!
  Edited by: Legerdemain Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

This newsletter aims to highlight some of the current contests and activities on the site, help educate members on how to host contests and activities, and provide clues to submit quality entries to contests. Write to me if you'd like something in particular covered.
This week's Contests and Activities Editor
Legerdemain Author Icon


Letter from the editor
Cleaning House!
It's the new year, and what is there to do? Clean house! What do I mean...
Let's get our portfolio into shape!
*Paintg* All those contest entries ~ let's get them corralled in a folder or book item.
*Paintp* Get into your portfolio manager and reorder things, important things front and center.
*Painto* Make sure your highlighted items are current features.
*Painty* Organize all your images and make sure they link back to your contest or portfolio when clicked.
*Paintr* Check your contests - they should indicate they're closed, and when the next round might be expected.
*Paintbl* Did you create your billboard? It shows on the list of members online. Set it in Personal Display Options if you're a Preferred Author.
*Paintg* Is your blog linked in your blog tab? It's also set in Personal Display Options, if you're an Upgraded member.
*Paintp* Planning a contest or activity? Start setting it up and keep it Private until you're ready to run it.
*Painto* Are you published? Is your book linked in your In Print listing? Enter your ISBN or ASIN and write a bio.
*Painty* Do you host interactives? Run through them and clean up the chapters, and add choices for additions if they're missing.
*Paintr* Go through your email! You know what to do!

All these suggestions will set you up to streamline your time when hosting a contest or writing an entry. It's much easier to find what you need when things are foldered and organized.

This month's question: What other organization hints do you have? Send in your answer below! *Down* Editors love feedback!


Editor's Picks

WDC January Site Contest
 
SURVEY
Dear Me: Official WDC Contest Open in new Window. (E)
What are *your* goals for the new year? Think it over, write a letter and win big prizes!
#597313 by Writing.Com Support Author IconMail Icon

The task is simple: Write a letter to yourself and tell you what your goals are for 2026!

GROUP
Daily Writing Challenge Open in new Window. (E)
Can you write every day? Well then, sign up and prove it. February 2026 Challenge
#799460 by Wannabe Author IconMail Icon

All writers start at the first level and work their way up to complete all 4 levels.
This is a 4-month challenge running from February 1st to May 31st

 
IN & OUT
Favorite Emoticons Open in new Window. (13+)
Drop by with your favorite emoticons made by the fabulous StoryMistress!
#2352090 by Charles 🐾 Author IconMail Icon

So, what's your favorite? Look through the other posts and maybe you'll find a new one you like.

FORUM
Anniversary Reviews Open in new Window. (E)
Help members celebrate another year of membership by sending them Anniversary Reviews.
#1565040 by Annette Author IconMail Icon

Celebrate member anniversaries by reviewing them!

FORUM
26 Paychecks  Open in new Window. (E)
Play along and collect a paycheck every two weeks.
#2350256 by Annette Author IconMail Icon

Tasks will include writing for contests, sending public reviews, replying to forum posts, creating word searches, and more. The idea is to explore the whole site and the many things that there are to do. Most tasks will take less than one hour to complete.

FORUM
Honoring Our Veterans - Challenge Open in new Window. (ASR)
Celebrating Veterans Day every day
#423698 by StephBee Author IconMail Icon

The goal of the challenges is to encourage writing that deals with veterans or military life.

FORUM
The Bard's Hall Contest Open in new Window. (13+)
JANUARY PROMPT: Poetry & Word Search Prompt!
#981150 by StephBee Author IconMail Icon

We want you to have lots of fun doing this, so if you are enjoying yourself, why not spread your joy on the Newsfeed. We love advertising!!!

FORUM
WDC L'il Helper Contest Open in new Window. (E)
Submit your best How-To essay or narrative that explains a specific aspect of Writing.com.
#2308999 by JACE Author IconMail Icon

WDC members are a hardy lot always looking to make their writing effort a bit easier. Many members have created How-To articles explaining and defining some particular aspect of this complex site. Due to the sheer numbers of these informational items, it's difficult to find and publicize them.

 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
         https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Ask & Answer


This month's question: What other organization hints do you have? Send in your answer below! *Down* Editors love feedback!
Last month's "Contests & Activities Newsletter (November 19, 2025)" Open in new Window. question: Do you have big plans for the holidays?

flash Author Icon: Shopping, baking, eating, chatting with friends and getting games both new and ones I've yet to catch up on.
TJ says, "keep on keeping on!" Author Icon: Not really, my wife will be working on Thanksgiving, I have my last Chemo treatment on Tuesday and Wednesday, before Thanksgiving, so she'll be working and I'll be dying, or at least feeling like I am.

As for Christmas, well, it's far enough out after the last chemo that I may be feeling a lot better, food may taste normal, and I may be able to enjoy some Christmas foods and treats; Not a lot, mind you, I can only consume about a cup of anything at a time. That means I get to perpetually snack on all the good stuff throughout the day/days.
Jeffrey Meyer Author Icon: If maintaining my sanity counts as "special plans," then yes.
Arsuit Author Icon: I will wear a silly hat to work.
Mousethyme Author Icon: Just going to enjoy the fact that treatments are over so I don't have appointments controlling my schedule.
Big thanksgiving dinner at the house here with a few friends and family stopping by.
Tannus Author Icon: Yes. I will be repairing the holes in my eyelids. This will require much sleep to find and fix those pesky holes!
Louis Williams Author Icon: Having fun with family and spending way too much money isn't a plan?
N.A Miller Author Icon: A quiet thanksgiving among the household. No big parties. no guests, Just serenity through yet another holiday.
jackson Author Icon: No firm plans, bond with friends and relatives . . .

Thank you all for your responses! Leger~

Buy a tag like this "Leger's Shop" Open in new Window.

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