Hi Paul and all.
I haven't been in clueless or peer review for some weeks now (other stuff happening) but always thought they were great concepts.
Lots of great ideas about another clue writing "game" have been posted so I will throw in my 2bob.
A new name for a weekend clueing game is a great idea, I think some forum members may feel a bit intimidated especially if they have already read entries to the current 2 competitions, also maybe promote it as a game, not a competition.
Maybe a "theme" or "topic" to be clued. Some people may find cluing a specific word difficult. By choosing their own (within a theme and maximum number of letters) it may be more enticing . It could be a single word or multiple.
There is a countless number of topics available.
This would probably mean parsing and or clue hints + letter count would be required by all participants.
If only some entrants need to parse that may make others feel inferior, (don't single out newbies).
In clue chain a winner needs to "sit out" for a period of time, this stops the game being dominated by select few.
Maybe a winner could set the game, enter their own clues indicating "no votes", and continue to in subsequent games but have an exclusion period before their clues become active again.
If someone was trying something new to them and every time they joined in they had to compete against the club champions how much do you think they would enjoy it?
PS: that ain't sour grapes, I managed a fair share of votes in peer review and some "honorable mentions" in clueless. I always dreaded actually winning because I didn't trust my skills in setting, judging and awarding.
Good luck with the new endeavour.