Hello, my little monsters! This is where I'm posting answers to questions that people have asked about the
2013 All Hallow's Tales contest.
Does my story have to be scary? Does it have to be about Halloween?No and no, but it should be
appropriate for Halloween. That doesn't always mean horror. Think of B-grade sci-fi movies, or mysteries like
The Hound of the Baskervilles, or comedies like
Young Frankenstein, or G-rated TV shows like
Scooby-Doo or
The Addams Family. I'm not saying you should copy these things, just think about how they exude a Halloween vibe without scaring you.
Can I include artwork with my entry, as thumbnailed graphics etc.? As much as I'd love to see that, the answer is no. This is a prose-only contest, not mixed media.
Do the prompts and words have to appear in the story in the same order you gave them to me?No. You can include the prompts and words in any order you choose. Bear in mind that some prompts specifically designate where in the story they should appear. Ex: if the prompt says "the story begins with X," then your story needs to begin with X.
Is it okay if the Words appear as derived terms or inflected forms (ex: "corrupted" instead of "corrupt")?Yes, as long as the root word is intact. Synonyms don't count.
I'm a judge. I know I can't enter the contest, but can you send me a prompt anyway? This sounds like fun.Certainly. Just send me a note.
Do the prompts have to appear in the story exactly as written, word for word?No. The prompts are exactly that: prompts. They are idea starters. You can interpret them however you like (but beware of straying too far afield; the judges can be merciless). The FOUR WORDS, however, do need to appear in your story.
Can I trade my prompt for another?No. Luck of the draw, kiddo.
If I placed in - or won - this contest before, can I still enter?Absolutely yes.
Can I have someone edit or proofread my entry?Of course. I want your entry to be the best it can be before you send it to me.
