THEME
“I'm Dreaming of a Dark Christmas.” We want to see and read works based on Christmas, but with a twist. It has to be dark. This can include horror & macabre, depressing themes, or even be a little naughty.



CATEGORY RULES

Poetry & Prose
Any form of poetry you please, but make sure it's at least 2 lines. Prose must be at least 100 words. Make sure to spell, punctuate, and format properly. Any piece of writing that is unreadable, or too difficult to understand, will be disqualified. The purpose of writing is to reach as wide an audience as possible. Challenging the reader is one thing, while losing their interest is another. Keep that in mind.

Digital Art
Make sure your work is a finished product. Your work does not need to be colored, or even have a background, but make sure it's not a sketch or WIP. Any stock photos may be used as reference, but not pasted into the work. There is a separate rules section for manips.

Photo-Manipulation
Put more work into a manip than just changing the contrast, making it B&W, or pasting three photos together. We are looking for truly finished products here. Your work must include at least two photos or pieces (models, scenes, objects, etc). We want to challenge you for your prizes.

Traditional Art
Make sure your work is a finished product. Your work does not need to be colored, or even have a background, but make sure it's not a sketch or WIP. You work may be any traditional medium: Drawing, painting, sculpture, etc.



CONTEST RULES
All works must follow the contest theme of "Dark Christmas". We want to see how you interpret this theme. Points will not be knocked off if you note us to ask is something fits the theme. We'd rather you not be disqualified, as we'd love to see you win.

Any and all fan art and fan fictions must only be based on classic (or modern) Christmas themed characters, stories, movies, songs, etc. Examples of acceptable fan usages: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer; Miracle on 34th Street; The Santa Clause; The Christmas Song. Examples of things we will not accept: Naruto; Final Fantasy; Kingdom Hearts; Star Wars; Harry Potter, etc.

Any stock used absolutely has to be credited, and all rules have to be followed.

You may submit as many works as you'd like, but each person can only place once. Basically, if you win 1st, you can't win 3rd.

Adult content is allowed, but keep it all tasteful and relevant. Also, make sure you use the adult content filter correctly.



ENTRY
Upload your entry to the correct category. If we think your entry is in the wrong category, we will let you know. After uploading send a note to or with a link and a thumb. For help on thumbs, see the faq: [link] Make sure your note is titled "Contest Entry" so it doesn't get lost in the mix.

We will send you a note or comment to let you know your entry has been received. If you have not heard from us within 2 days note one of us again to let us know we have missed you.

We do not require it to be a new deviation, as long as it follows all rules and themes.



DEADLINE AND JUDGING
Contest will end December 16th, 2008 at 11:59PM EST. Judging will start immediately afterwards. Judging will end when we have gotten through all of the entries and made a decision. A news article with the winners will be up hopefully before December 25th. Prizes will be distributed just after the New Year.

and will be judging, and possibly a few close friends and family whom we trust. We will not pick a piece of art based on the artist, but by the work itself. If someone we know personally places, it is only because that work deserved to place. We are looking at creativity, usage of theme, difficulty of the piece, execution of media, and completeness of the work.



PRIZE LIST

1st Place-
1-year subscription from *PrincessGwyneth and *fear-is-spreading
Journal feature for 3 months from *PrincessGwyneth
Journal feature for 3 months from *fear-is-spreading

2nd Place-
6-month subscription from *PrincessGwyneth and *fear-is-spreading
Journal feature for 2 months from *PrincessGwyneth
Journal feature for 2 months from *fear-is-spreading

3rd Place-
3-month subscription from *PrincessGwyneth and *fear-is-spreading
Journal feature for 1 month from *PrincessGwyneth
Journal feature for 1 month from *fear-is-spreading

Honorable Mentions-
2 week journal feature from *PrincessGwyneth
2 week journal feature from *fear-is-spreading

All places will be featured in a news article of the winners at the end of the contest.

If anyone is interested in donating a prize please note or and let us know what you'd like to donate.

Updates to follow as needed. Minor updates to be placed in my journal.