*note: The Genesis Projekt is still going on. Feel free to participate [link] *

UPDATES AT THE BOTTOM! CHECK OUT THE PRIZE SECTION!

A Contest A Year In The Making

Hope everyone had a good holiday and a Happy New Year's. So how bout we kick off '08 with a contest?

I, darlings, challenge you to a year long contest. Even if you don't really care about competitions, well this is something that would be good for practice. The contest part is just to lure you, lol.

But on to the point. You, reader, have the rest of '08 to write a poem (or story or photo or art piece...) for every month of the year. 12 poems (or whatever choices of expression) that correspond with each respectful month. Think of it as the 100 Theme Challenge for those of us who are a little lazier or just don't have the time. I qualify for both excuses, lol.


Now before you jump in and spit out 12 poems or something in the next 24 hours, you better read the rules.

Rule One: Poetry, Prose, Photographs, and Traditionalor Digital art are acceptable.

Rule Two: I do not want a poem or story like this:

It is December.
It is very cold.
Snow snow snow.
Let's make snowmen.


No, people. I don't want you to describe the month.

What do I want? Give me experiences, memories, something that connects you personally to that time of the year. Even if you make it up. Please don't just talk about how the weather is and the holidays. Dig a bit deeper.

Photographers and Artist obviously have to show a scene, but don't just show me some kids in shorts faning themselves and call it July.

Creativity is the key.

Oh, and if you want to mix it up and perhaps mix image and word together, that is acceptable.

Rule Three: You cannot submit 12 months at one time. You have to wait for the month to come to submit it to me. So as of now, I'd only accept January submissions. Now if you say don't read this to March or November, well you can submit the previous months because you didn't start at the beginning. But if you find out about this now, please don't send me all 12 at December, please.

Rule Four: Must be new pieces. Not old pieces. Not old works spiffied up and dusted off. New. And your own work. Brushes and stock can be used for the photos and art pieces. If you are submitting in poetry or prose and use a preview image, it has to be your image. Not getting a picture from photobucket, fixing it up in photoshop and saying it's yours.

Judging:

I'll be making notes on pieces as the come, but they will not be judged until the end of the year. This gives everyone a chance to participate and plenty of time to edit and perfect each piece.

There will be an overall winner each month. So 12 big winners. There will also be winners at the end of the year with the best pieces overall in the four categories (Photography, Poetry, Prose, and Traditional or Digital Art).


More information will become available. The matter of prizes will be addressed in the future. I mean, with 12 winners atleast, I've got to think about how I want to budget prizes.


I hope you all have fun! Note me with any questions. A list of participants with links to their pieces will be updated.

Cheers to the New Year!
ElectroBaby

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My Own Entries:
January.

January Entries:
1. ~AlecBell 's First Month (congrats to you for being the first participant!)

2. ~PokemonMaster250 's AYITM1- January mornings (thanks for the sig support!)

3. ~MeadowCress 's January.

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Updates:
New Rules and Submission Answer.

When you post it, note me the link and the title. Also, your author's comment must credit this contest with a link to the journal so other's can get involved.

If you do not note me, I will not know you are submitting. You can't expect me to catch it in my dev box. Also, if you do not link and credit the contest, it will not be eligible for judging. Even if you do all 12, though you will be on the participant's list, it will not be judged.

So make sure you read all the rules.

Also, note to those you would like to win the top category prizes. Only people who do all 12 months are eligible to win that, though they still could win a month, like best in September for example.

And note to prose and poetry writers, I will not limit how much you can write, but let's keep it realistic, no forty page epics or novels, please.

Oh, AND you can enter a piece in all categories every month, but you are limited to TWO in the same category if you are only submitting in one category.

As always, feel free to ask questions through comments on here or noting me. Sorry for so many updates, but I had to really think about the more specific details.

The moment you've all been waiting for (maybe)...

PRIZES!!!!!
So not only do you get the pat on the back from meeting a challenge and growing in your work throughout the year, you get STUFF!

So far, this is what awaits those who dare to take on the presented challenge...

All monthly winners may receive:
Your choice of any post card print.
Possible accessories made by my soon to be annonounced, year long feature. Ooooo, the mystery!

The top winners at the end of the year for each category may receive:
A 3 month subscription.
A choice of devWear stickers or keychain or buttons.

If you have ideas (within reason) for prizes or would like to donate a prize or feature for the winners, please message me. That's all I've got for now, but you never know when things might be added so stay tuned!

Oh, and all winners will have feature in my journal for the entire month of January '09.