There's another area of judging that I would like to hear other peoples thoughts on. It's the idea of having a 2nd place, 3rd place, Honorable Mention, etc.

My natural (already in place) inclination is to not use these myself. The reason is because I sort of feel if I don't win, alright. Something other than winning is more of a consolation prize, at least to me, which I'm not really that interested in, if I'm even interested in winning a particular CC or not. I'm not aloof or jaded in this regard, and I do have a competitive aspect to my personality. That aspect just doesn't get any gratification from something other than winning, except the gratification from knowing I'm growing so much stronger from the loss!  (btw, that was a joke).

What I'm curious to know is if others do value the 2nd, 3rd etc. place finishes, because I don't think it's a big deal for me to include that kind of stuff. If others are interested, I would do it for that reason.

Right now I think that's all I've got to say on the area of judging. I would like to know the thoughts of others if anyone cared to address this.

Thanks.

Yeah, I like getting a consolation mention if I don't win first place.

Sure. At least it lets people know they were under consideration.

I'd rather be 'first loser' than not mentioned.

I always try to at least put out some honorable mentions if I'm too lazy to actually organize placements.  It's always cool to know you were close to the win even if you don't get it.

I'm a big fan of honorable mentions, as well as little "extra effort" things for the mentions and winner.  For my "Poetry Slam" CC, I wrote clarihew poems for the honorable mentions (and wrote a sonnet for the winner) so that people actually did sort of get a prize for their efforts, even if it wasn't the ability to make the next CC.

Well, that pretty much settles that for me! Thanks again for answering one of my questions.

If I find myself in the position of judging another CC, I will absolutely include my feelings about comics which would be in the 2nd, 3rd, and honorable mention spots.

Well, that pretty much settles that for me! Thanks again for answering one of my questions.

If I find myself in the position of judging another CC, I will absolutely include my feelings about comics which would be in the 2nd, 3rd, and honorable mention spots.

It's optional; don't much care either way.

If I'm judging and there aren't many entries, then I'm more inclined to forego honorable mentions.  At some point it starts to feel more like you're excluding the people who weren't mentioned.

But if there are plenty of entries, it can be nice to recognize others that came close to winning.

That's how I thought it could be looked at as well, and how I had looked at in one or two CC's. I suppose it just requires a little tact and consideration.