Information On The Golden Pumpkin Competition
This year for Halloween Obsidian Fleet is calling on all members to come up with I-can’t-sleep-ever-again, tales of terror and horror from your characters and ships. The Golden Pumpkin Competition will run from now until 21st October with the winner announced 2nd November at our to be announced Halloween event.
So, plenty of time to dig inside your wildest imagination and find something so terrifying it will scare the cobwebs clean off of us!
What Will You Be Judged On?
It is only fair that you are told the criteria you are going to be put against, so here it is;
The story has to be maximum of 1500 words so basically the size of a standard readable post. It has to be a solo entry.
Premise/Concept 10%
Does the writer engage the reader’s attention immediately? Is tone, setting and character established promptly? Is the premise/Concept logical, or too far-fetched even for horror?
Presentation 20%
Is writing fresh and free of clichés? Does it reveal the writer’s vision and attitude clearly? Are viewpoint changes and pacing handled smoothly?
Characters & Dialogue 15%
Are characters believable, well-rounded? Actions and interactions consistent and well-motivated
Theme 10%
Does the theme represent what has been set down? Does it scare or give a creep factor?
Plot 30%
Does progression seem inevitable without being too predictable? Is story interesting and compelling to read?
Style/Tone 15%
Is grammar and punctuation correct? Is spelling accurate? Is the manuscript professionally prepared? Are details consistent and correct?
Prize
1st Prize – 50th Anniversary Star Trek Chibi set and Halloween mug filled with sweets
2nd Prize – Halloween mug filled with sweets
3rd Prize – Halloween mug
(Halloween sweets are not shown as they aren’t in the shops yet despite mince pies and Christmas pudding being there.)
Please send entries in a word doc to [email protected].