Short Story Competition - Includes Prize!

**sir archely** · March 13th, 2008

So, I am starting a short story competition here.

What follows is a very dry outline of the competition. It is dry because I am attempting to be as specific as possible. It's really not that complicated. Any questions either post here or PM me. Sorry if i miss anything here.

-Any and all are welcome to compete. Those not currently quillers are certainly welcome, but, of necessity, they must register in order to enter. Writers may enter as many stories as they wish, up to the deadline.

-Stories MUST fit into the fantasy and/or sci-fi genres. However, this is a loose guideline, and certainly open to interpretation. Some elements of these genres are needed, but stories with only hints of them will most definitely be considered.

-Stories need to be in .doc format, and should be no shorter than 2,500 words, but no longer than 20,000 words. Other formats will be considered on a case by case basis.

-To submit, writers should PM me with their intentions, and I will reply with an email address to which they can send stories. Each story may be submitted once only, so make sure the one you submit is your final draft. Typos are not big deals, grammar, punctuation; and speling are less important than the content of the story. Though these things may become factors if judging between two otherwise equal stories.

-The deadline for submission is June the 13th, three months from today. No entries will be accepted, without exception, after this date.

-Stories will be judged by myself and two others who will remain anonymous.

-Writers acknowledge that by entering the competition, they relinquish all legal right to the stories. I'm not about to try and publish anything. The odds of legal headaches occurring is very very low, but still there, so i include as a preventative measure.

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Now, yes, there is a prize. A for real, in your hand, not of the internet, physical prize. The prize is only for first place, there are no runner-up prizes. The first place, grand prize is that I will personally buy you a book, or two, or maybe three depending. There is no set dollar amount to the prize, and it will be worked out by myself and the winner. Mostly because i don't want to be sending people books they already have. I say two or three because if people want cheaper books, i'll send them more. I reserve the right to nix any prize requests, and expect them to be within reason. I am not about to buy anyone a first edition Pride and Prejudice or anything.

One further condition. For a prize to be dispensed, there must be at least six distinct writers who submit. Less than this, and I will judge the competition a flop, and formally erase all trace of its existence.

**Anita Blake** · March 14th, 2008

cooooooooooooool.

**Jonboy** · March 15th, 2008

maybe ill try something.... i need a creative outlet lately....

**sir archely** · May 5th, 2008

just a reminder. it's now a little over a month until the deadline, and i have received zero responses. surprise. anyway. get 'em in. damn, i'll buy you a book.

**OOC92** · May 7th, 2008

Is this still open? I know I got something somewhere....

**Apoc** · May 7th, 2008

yeah its still open for another month.

Originally Posted by sir archely

One further condition. For a prize to be dispensed, there must be at least six distinct writers who submit. Less than this, and I will judge the competition a flop, and formally erase all trace of its existence.

At first I was like...a book yay

, great idea and then i read this condition and said boo

as i know the likelihood of six members submitting.

And like the last competition that i took the time to enter (cough fairytale) it vanished even though i know a few folk entered...basically those stories where discarded without explanation or reply, which, for me anyway made me think, why the fck did i even bother...so to say for this competition that the same may happen it kinda makes me think again, well why fckn bother aye?

That condition for me makes the comp void as its not in the judges decisions nor the entrees work that will bring the outcome of the result...it puts it in the reliance of others to bother to enter and that for me...i don't trust anymore. I think this comp would work if you removed that condition.

I've got too much on my plate at the moment to divert attention to another story...one that would just be for fun. Though i could alter one of my script treatments into a short story...if i have time i may do that...but if you keep that condition above, the chance and thought of winning a book are nil for me.

**sir archely** · May 7th, 2008

i really didn't think 6 was all that many when i started the comp. and since i'm throwing up my own money for a real prize, i'm not really too keen on having like 1 or 2 people throw in a story just so i buy them a book.

this isn't to say i wouldn't be happy to have a few entrants and finish off the competition... just without an actual prize. erm... i'll hit up the winner with like... 250 rep points or something.

anyway, i won't be changing the limit, but it is possible i'd change the deadline and have this be open ended until i actually received 6 stories. ~shrug~

**LaughingTurtle** · May 7th, 2008

I hate committing to anything seeing as how I have a lot of work scheduled before June but I get this image of arch with giant puppy dog eyes, eagerly waiting by his PM box...hoping...praying to see that "You've got a new PM" message pop up with barely contained glee.

Only to find it's an unrelated message about cheese or some such.

Ah well, we'll see if I make the deadline or not.