Here's the deal. KoG is having some publicity issues. We've done many searches and are in the process of - yes, we're groveling - asking for a few stories. But we'd love to have some new stuff as well. Hey, let's kill two birds with one stone - let's give some writers a(nother) place to have their stories archived, and maybe bring in some more readers for us and for some less well known wrtiers, and - if you wanna get hypothetical - maybe add a couple stories to the series without having to had them to our "To Write" list (which gets longer every day).
The main idea and benefit of this contest, is that these stories are likely to ending up in the "Special Features" section - maybe as backstories of some kind. There's also a slight but possible chance that your story will be included in the series. Now mind you, this is tough, considering few know just where we are going with this series. But who knows? Your best bet is not to try to write based on what you've read of the series - write what you know.
So what better way to motivate dormant comics fans than by holding a contest?
So...what do I write about?
Ah, a thinker! This is a very loose contest, so you can write just about anything - action, character pieces, vignettes, comedy, tragedy, sillyfic, poetry, romance...whatever. So long as you abide by this first and foremost rule:
The reasons for this...well, that would be giving away the series, now wouldn't it? ;)
So this is the rule - it must feature at least one of these aforementioned characters.
What if I want to write a, say, Catwoman story, and Batman shows up in it? Or a Batman Beyond fic? Or an action story about the Titans? Or something with a minor Bludhaven baddie? Or a Justice League fic? What about a cross-over with the X-Men comics?
Sure! All those are great ideas. Just make sure that at least one of the aforementioned characters appear.
Cool!! Now what?
It's very important that you follow this submission procedure.
Send us an e-mail at [email protected]m with your story. When sending us a story, either cut and paste it directly into the body of the email message or attatch it in a Word or Word Perfect text attachment. We would *PREFER* a text attachment, but if you send us something we can't read, don't worry - we'll let you know. :)
Do I have to use my real name if I send you a story?
Of course not! You may use a penname, your real name, your dog's name...just so long as no one already posesses that name already (on the site, that is).
1. Like we said before, a Gotham Knight MUST be present in the story.
2. As far as ratings go, it's the same as under the general submission guidelines - no worse than PG or PG-13. Keep language to a minimum, and don't make it so gory it hurts to read.
NC-17 submissions will NOT be accepted. Generally, R won't either. If you write a fantastic story but think readers will need some warning, talk to us, and we'll see if we can work something out. We liike to think we're not that cruel of taskmasters... BUT NO NC-17. Period.
3. All stories are covered under a blanket disclaimer found off the main page. (Meaning, you're not making money of it.)
4. No stories will be posted without the author's permission granted. So if you can't write or find a story, please ask before you send it off to us. If a story is sent *to* us, we shall assume permission is given and will post the story.
5. You may submit more than one entry, but
I'm all set! But when is it due? How do I send it?
Here's all the details:
Word Count: 100 words minimum. It can be however long you want after that.
Deadline: May 1, 2005
Mailing: Send your story as text or as a Word or WordPerfect attachment in an e-mail. Send it to [email protected] with subject line "Contest Submission"
But wait! I've already sent you a submission! Am I still eligible for the contest?
If you're asking if you can take part in it, you bet! But we won't count what you've sent us prior to the contest as a candidate for the prize.
So what's the prize? And who gets it?
All entries will be published as we get them. After May 1st, Lisa, Ashley, and a handful of anonymous judges (not participating the contest in any other way) will pick the winners, who will be notified within the next couple of weeks, and then announced on the site should the winner accept it (why they wouldn't we don't know, but...who knows). Honorable mentions will also be acknowledged.
First prize - a sketch by Ashley of a Gotham Knight of the winner's choosing. This will take longer to deliver, since Ashley needs to actually SKETCH it. :)
Second prize - A Justice League or Batman action figure (the winner can choose which type, and possibly which character).
Third Prize - A JL/Batman action figure ('cept they don't choose...what, we had to make it different somehow...).
Mailing: If the winner lives anywhere other than The U.S.A., we will also ask him or her to split the shipping costs, or make other arrangements.
Now get writing!
