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Q. Who can enter the poetry/fiction competition?
A. Anyone who's registered to attend the event can enter.
Q. Can I write anything I want?
A. Yes, but the winners will be science fiction or fantasy in the form of short stories, one-act plays or poems.
Q. Does my entry have to be based on a TV show?
A. No. You're very welcome to create your own characters, or to write about characters from your favourite show. Or you can bring together characters and settings from several different shows. It's entirely up to you.
Q. So how do I win?
A. You write a good story, play or poem. In the play or story categories, the judge is looking for interesting ideas, good characterisations, preferably an interesting plot that holds together and a strong finish.
In poetry, the judge is looking for good imagery, a well thought-out structure and creative use of language. Poems do not need to rhyme. There is no word-limit, but bear in mind that the judge wants to attend the convention as well as reading entries, so anything over 4,000 words may not be read in full.
Q. Do I need to type my entry?
A. Yes, if you want the judge to like you. Please type it up and submit it on separate sheets of A4 paper (not perforated print-outs), preferably double-spaced for stories.
Q. Does my story have to be in English?
A. Regrettably yes. The judge speaks nothing but English and a smattering of Klingon, so if you want to be understood, stick to English.
Q. What if I don't win a prize?
A. Try again next year. Some of the best authors have been rejected many times before finally becoming best-sellers.
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