http://www.superheroinecentral.com/~wizard/Contest_Rules2012.htmStory Contest Rules
Subject/Protagonist - Wonder Woman
There is no setting or time period or universe (DC/Marvel/etc) requirement. Can be the past, can be the present, or even the future. Any villains are acceptable. Any perils are acceptable.
Deadline - Midnight, June 30, 2012 Mountain time.
Here are the parameters for this The Wizard's Lair's superheroine story contest:
1. If there are fewer than 10 stories sent in before the contest deadline and within contest rules, then the winner will be awarded $50.00. For 10 to 19 qualified stories, $100 will be awarded. For 20 to 29 qualified stories, $150 will be awarded. For more than 30 qualified stories, $250 will be awarded.
2. All stories must be original for this contest. Stories submitted as part of this contest should not be posted elsewhere before, during, or after the contest. The Wizard's Lair considers awarding prize money to the winning author to be the same as purchasing sole hosting rights for all contest entries.
3. Up to two entries per author are acceptable. Until a given story has been posted, it may be withdrawn by the author and a substitute story submitted.
4. Stories must be submitted in English, and correct use of grammar and spelling is expected. A few mistakes are acceptable (actually little that is written for any genre/venue/medium is completely without errors), but too many spelling or grammatical errors will result in disqualification (by either webmaster or judge). Constant and consistent errors detract from the flow of the story. Also, please pay attention to formatting. A 200 word sentence in a 5,000 word paragraph is not going to be acceptable. Look over what you have BEFORE you send it in. The first submission of any given story is going to be treated as the final submission of that story. The minimum story length is 1,000 words (we are not looking for short short/flash fiction stories).
5. Stories must be complete in and of themselves. That means that sending in a chapter from a series will not be accepted, though the story itself can have as many chapters/parts as the writer would like. The story must have a beginning, middle, and end, and stand on its own without having read some other story. There will be no extra points for length, but be aware that longer stories generally have better character development and more descriptive scenes (both of which usually enhance the reading experience).
6. Put a title and your author's name/nom de plume on the entry!!! There should be a title followed by a byline. No untitled stories or stories by "anonymous" authors will be accepted.
7. One writer per entry. No co-writing allowed.
8. Contest entries should be marked as such in the email subject field (i.e. Story Contest Entry Submission) when the story is sent in.
9. Entries themselves should be written and formatted in RTF, HTML, or DOC (Microsoft Word - if my Microsoft Word 2007 will open your Word Perfect document, that will work too, but I make no guarantees) formats. Please do NOT include the story in the email text fields, but include as an attachment. The stories will ultimately be posted in HTML format. There will be no editing, although the webmaster may choose to make some simple reformatting.
(Rules 8 & 9 were stated at the bottom of the page below the email button but too many people have misunderstood what I have been asking for submissions)
10. Entries must be original to the contest. That means, they cannot have been posted anywhere previously by the author. Indeed, they cannot be posted anywhere previously by anyone else. That means NO PLAGARISM!! Write your own damn stuff!! Don't steal stuff from others. Any story that was published elsewhere will be immediately disqualified, and removed at any time and without any prior notice.
11. Absolutely NO underage characters are to be portrayed or utilized. Making any hero/ine and/or villain/ess under the age of 18 will be grounds for automatic disqualification!
The Wizard's suggestions (as edited by Scarlet) -
If you want to win the money, have a fairly original plot to the story. Bring something new to the table and make sense. Don't just have Supergirl (or whomever) become a nymphomaniac because you can't wait to get to "the good stuff." Build up to it. The best stories are the ones that never leave you thinking, "Now, Wonder Woman would never do that." If it's a well-written story, you can believe anything.
Look over what you have before you send it in. Would YOU be able to read and understand it in a single sitting?
Consider trying for better character development and much more detail when describing scenes. If you want to score big, do not just say "Bob tied up Batgirl", but tell me HOW EXACTLY he did it (and how both Bob and Batgirl felt about it adds Scarlet)! Be it detailed and creative bondage, the heroine's looks and dress, or how the bomb is attached to the mayor's wife, being descriptive is a plus. One, it shows that the writer has a good imagination, and, two, it shows that the writer also has a good mental eye for detail.
Good dialogue is a plus as well. Heroines are a yappy lot, and full of clich?s. Descriptions of other sounds that are part of the scenes are good as well. Let the reader hear the heavy breathing and the moans and groans. Let the reader hear voices rise in volume as the adrenaline increases. Let the reader hear good Mmmmmphing after the heroine gets gagged!!
Scarlet's notes -
While no perils have been ruled out, there should be a clear reason (plot need) for extreme acts such as heavy pain, suffering, and torture (or worse). Setting the scene is appropriate, and including something extreme for the benefit of plot and characterization is fine, but dwelling extensively on bloody torture may be a bit much for many readers. Keep in mind the spirit of this website. While there are SOME instances of brutality in the pictures or stories, most takes place with tongue pressed firmly in cheek (a Chula nanogene tissue regenerator for defeminized heroines for goodness sake!). If extreme acts are included in the story, there should be a valid (plot type) reason for it. Is having heroine A perish in battle at the start of the story really needed to explain heroine B's (or the villain's) motivation in the story.
You may want to pay attention to the likes and dislikes of both judges and readers. When The Wizard judged, he made it clear that he did not enjoy lesbian, thought it overdone in the genre, and flatly stated that no story containing lesbianism would be selected as the contest winner. He also made it clear that he preferred male antagonists, which he (and most fans of the genre) could identify with, and well-written bondage scenes over most anything else. While The Wizard isn't judging this time, this website still reflects his personality. I can't help a whole lot with the judges, but I will run a poll to help better ferret out the website's fans' likes and dislikes.
Don't wait until the last week of the contest to send your story in (because everyone else will too). Neither the judge nor the webmaster will appreciate the sudden load of work. Give us as much time as possible to review and fairly judge your work.
Bottom line - have fun and let your imagination soar.
Prize for winning - $50 - $250 depending on the number of entries as described above.
The Judge - Tom M.
Award money will be provided by Scarlet via a credit union issued cashier's check mailed through the U.S. Postal Service to the winner. That means the winner will need to provide Scarlet a mailing address that will ensure the check's delivery and a payee designation that will allow the winner to cash it. Scarlet will not be responsible for undeliverable mail or checks made out to nonentities.
Have fun!
Send entries here, with 'Contest Submission' in the heading.
DO NOT put the story in the body of the email, but send it as an attachment (html, doc or rtf only)
