American Idol. The Sing-Off. X-Factor. Dancing with the Stars. America’s Got Talent. So You Think You Can Dance. I’m probably forgetting some but these are more than reality shows. Watch any of these and chances are you’re sitting in a chair or on the couch doing the same thing as the panel on the show: judging.

Like it or not, television moguls tapped into our arm-chair judging fascination. I see it on my Facebook wall during an American Idol performance, the posts from friends who agree or disagree with the actual judges. The comments regarding contestant highs and lows. None of us get paid for our thoughts and for the most part, our critique doesn’t change the outcome of the show. It’s our “guilty pleasure” to watch and believe we should have a say for every contestant, every time.

There is a website that caters to those who like having a say after a performance of sorts and it benefits readers and writers. Clash of the Titles, COTT, offers readers the opportunities to read anonymous excerpts from two clashing authors and choose the one they feel should win that clash’s theme. Authors enjoy readers’ encouraging feedback, are interviewed by COTT staff, and receive a badge for their website saying they participated and/or won a Clash of the Titles event. Readers have a say in the voting process and are eligible to receive prizes. Everyone wins, right?

Clashes are a two week process.

Week One

Monday—Anonymous excerpts posted.

COTT is near the end of their first anniversary celebration. They are having a Tournament of Champions where winners from previous clashes go up against each other. You guessed it, readers have the opportunity to vote and judge their favorite. Only ONE author will take home The Laurel Award. So far the Tournament of Champions finalists are:

PARTICIPATING AUTHORS AND THEIR BOOKS

COTT also has a blog alliance where COTT staff writes a guest post each week for the bloggers to use. The authors receive additional exposure and bloggers earn a place on the COTT website, a chance at prizes, and their own interview. I’m a COTT blogger alliance member and it’s a thrill to watch the clashes come through and know our votes matter. Instead of judging a la Simon Cowell, we can be encouragers in a lonely industry. I love being a blogger that can count on quality content from the COTT team each week. Again, everyone wins.