Calling all writers! X-Files Universe is pleased to present our annual Fanfic Contest!Fan fiction explores X-Files 3, creates new X-File scenarios, and acts as an extension of the episodes and the mythology. Fan fiction may fill in the gaps from the scenes and stories where we wanted more.
Prizes are an X-Files script so you can study the craft from the ones who wrote the real things! See below for more details.
Awards will be given for the following:
1. The Ultimate Fanfic: The judges will be looking as the best-written and well-developed work of fiction from the finalists
2. The Ultimate Character Representation: The judges will be considering if the characters are consistent with their roles on the series
3. The Most Likely to be a Chris Carter Episode: The judges must think, “Chris wrote this.: The judges will be thinking along the lines of: Is this an unscreened episode?
4. The Most Original Fic: Judges will choose this fic for its original content, a new or unknown storyline, and its presentation
Rules
- The competition is open to all fans and fanfic writers, except the organizers and judges.
- A writer may submit a maximum of two stories for the contest. Your entry must be submitted by e-mail to xfilesuniverse@hotmail.com, with the words “fanfic contest” in the subject line.
- Each entry is eligible to win only one of the four award categories.
- The competition closes on September 1, 2012. Award winners will be announced by mid-October.
- Entries must be longer than 1000 words but less than 20,000 words.
- No poetry, songs, or non-fiction.
- Judging will be based on a point system. Final point ratings for each entry will not be disclosed. Judges decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the decision.
- Winners will be notified by e-mail. Please provide us with a reliable e-mail address. If we cannot reach you within 72 hours of contact date for winning, the prize will be awarded to the runner-up.
- Prizes will be mailed.
How to Enter the 2012 Ultimate Fanfic Contest
1. Write, write, write! Write a new fic or send in one that you’ve already written.
2. Submit your entry to xfilesuniverse@hotmail.com , with the words “Fanfic Contest” in the subject line.
3. Please make sure your story is submitted in a format that we can access, copy, and post: a Word document, text file or as the content of your submission e-mail.
4. At the beginning of each story, please include the following:
- Title:
- Written By (please provide the your real name):
- Author name (please provide the name you want your fanfic published under).
- E-mail address: (Your e-mail address will not be shared or utilized for any other purpose other than this contest)
- Time span or spoiler warning: Provide a time span for your story. Is your story situated during a specific season? If so, please let us know; it helps to give the reader some context. If your story provides spoilers for a particular episode, please list the episode name.
- Rating: Just like any movie rating, select one: G, PG, PG-13, R, NC-17.
- Summary: A sentence summarizing your story.
- Category: The category of your story will not affect the judge’s opinion. Categories are
1. Romance – Relationships between the characters
2. Drama – Rooted in angst, conflict or discovery of various character traits and feelings
3. Comedy – Will provide a few laughs or smiles
4. Case File – A story that would have been a good episode
5. Action/Thriller – Keeps the reader on the edge of their seat
6. Alternate Universe – A story set in a historical or unusual setting
7. Crossover — A story that brings together characters from other works of fiction
By submitting to this contest, the author agrees to
1) Allow X-Files Universe to highlight or mention the story in a news article and/or social media.
2) Allow X-Files Universe to make the story accessible for readers either on the XFU forums or the XFU Fan Fiction Story Archive.
3) In addition, all winning stories must be submitted by the writer to our Fan Fiction Archive (http://www.xfilesuniverse.com/fanfic/). If your story is G, PG, PG-13 then it may also be posted in the XFU forums.
Judging Criteria
The judges will be using a point system. Points will be awarded for each of the qualities listed below. Each quality may be awarded 0-10 points (with 10 being the highest rating).
• Character Representation
• Best Potential X-Files Scene
• Originality
• Grammar
• Delivery/Story-Telling
The Ultimate Fan Fic Winner will be the highest point total of all categories (Prize = script of The Truth).
The Ultimate Character Representation Winner will be the story with the highest points in Character Representation (Prize = script of This is Not Happening, which introduced the character of Monica Reyes).
The Most Likely to be a Chris Carter Fic Winner will be the story with the highest points in Best Potential X-Files Scene (Prize = script of Pilot. Please note that a substitution will be made if you won this script last year).
The Most Original Fic Winner will be the story with the highest points in Originality (script of “Home,” which is definitely original).
Grammar, delivery and story-telling will be factored into the scoring. Even if a story is exceptionally creative and tops the charts on a particular category, reading difficulty and poor story delivery will be taken into account during the judging.
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