Send us your funnies about writing and win cash prizes!
Judges
They say a contest is only as good as its judges. By that account, we rock! For our debut year, we've managed to bag ourselves three terrific titans of the writing industry:
ably assisted by your humble servant Devyani Borade and her alter-ego Debora!
Read more about the judges.
Sponsors
We are grateful for the support and generosity of our brilliant sponsors. With products and services catering specifically to writers and artists, they are uniquely positioned to help build your success.
Explore their offerings to see how you can benefit.
Explore their offerings to see how you can benefit.
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Contest Rules
Category: FREE
Prize: £50 to the winning entry, via PayPal & publication in the Verbolatry newsletter
Eligibility: Anyone over the age of 18, except contest judges and family
Topic: Writing/publishing
Language: English
Genres: Humorous fiction, humorous nonfiction
Types: Cartoon, Essay
Specifications:
Cartoon - JPG, PNG or GIF file, resolution 75dpi min., dimensions 900x1400px max., as attachment
Essay - 100 words min., 500 words max., in message body
Original, previously unpublished work only
One entry per author, regardless of type
Mention the category and title of your entry in the subject line
Include an accurate word count
Tell us where you heard about this contest (Our charismatic promoters)
Tell us where you heard about this contest (Our charismatic promoters)
Send entry to: v3rbolatry(at)gmail(dot)com
"Early Bird" submission period*: 1 April 2016 to 31 July 2016
Last date: 31 August 2016
Last date: 31 August 2016
Results announced: October 2016 newsletters
Category: PAID
Prize: £100 to the winning entry, via PayPal & publication in the Verbolatry newsletter
Fee: £5 per entry via PayPal
Eligibility: Anyone over the age of 18, except contest judges and family
Topic: Writing/publishing
Language: English
Genres: Humorous fiction, humorous nonfiction
Types: Cartoon, Essay
Specifications:
Cartoon - JPG, PNG or GIF file, resolution 75dpi min., dimensions 900x1400px max., as attachment
Essay - 100 words min., 500 words max., in message body
Original, previously unpublished work only
Multiple entries per author allowed
Each entry must be submitted in a separate email message
Mention the category and title of your entry in the subject line
Include an accurate word count
Note the email address used to make the payment in order to link your payment to your entry
Tell us where you heard about this contest (Our charismatic promoters)
Tell us where you heard about this contest (Our charismatic promoters)
Send payment and entry to: v3rbolatry(at)gmail(dot)com
"Early Bird" submission period*: 1 April 2016 to 31 July 2016
Last date: 31 August 2016
Last date: 31 August 2016
Results announced: October 2016 newsletters
- You will be subscribed to the newsletter when you participate in the contest, although you can unsubscribe at any time.
- By entering the contest, you guarantee that you are the author of the work.
- Winners will be contacted via email.
- If your entry wins or is shortlisted, you grant us first electronic rights and non-exclusive electronic archival rights. Winning and shortlisted entries will be published on the Verbolatry website and in the Verbolatry newsletter, which is then archived in its entirety.
- There is only one prize for each category regardless of the type of entry submitted.
- Payment of the prize will be made within 30 days of publication.
- If multiple entries are submitted by a single author in the FREE category, only the first will be accepted.
- Entries sent by post will be discarded without consideration.
- Entries that don't follow these rules will be discarded without consideration.
- Entry fee is non-refundable.
- If your piece gets accepted for publication elsewhere, you must inform us promptly so that we can withdraw it from consideration.
(Void where prohibited. You are responsible for managing your tax implications. PayPal may charge some small fee over which we have no control.)
Good luck!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Information in this section forms part of the contest rules.
Why have this contest?
1. We think the adventures of the charming Debora and her incorrigible Pen deserve to be told to the teeming masses of the writing/publishing industry. Everyone can do with a good laugh. We hope this contest raises the profile ofVerbolatry newsletter and gets us more subscribers. And with our anniversary coming up, what better way to celebrate than by asking you to join in?!
2. Humour writing is our thing. Humour about writing even more so. We've found that this niche is sadly under-represented and under-appreciated in the current literary scene out there, so we'd like this contest to fill that void. We hope entrants will feel empowered and encouraged to keep on writing.
If you're associated in any way with this industry, we bet you have a funny story to share!
How can you compare cartoons with essays?
If you're associated in any way with this industry, we bet you have a funny story to share!
How can you compare cartoons with essays?
The same way you can compare apples with oranges and decide that just then what you'd really like to eat is an apple, not an orange. All judging is subjective in all contests. If it were an exact science, everybody would win. We like what we like, and we'll know it when we see it!
What are the judging criteria?
Yes! All are welcome, as long as they can meet the requirements above. Competition is fierce. You are pitting your work against strong contenders, many of whom have years of experience in the industry. So make sure you bring your A-game. (Hang on, you really live at the science stations on Antarctica? Cool, please spread the word there, too. Unless you're a penguin.)
Can I collaborate with a friend and submit a joint entry?
No. Each entry must have only one author.
Can I enter a poem/novel excerpt/screen play/photograph/podcast/anything other than cartoon or essay?
Sorry, no.
Will my entry be acknowledged?
In a way. You will be subscribed to the newsletter, which is emailed twice a month. So if you've received an issue of the newsletter, we've received your entry to the contest. If you don't receive an issue within a month of sending your entry, please contact us.
What are the judging criteria?
Judging is point-based. Points will be awarded for originality and uniqueness of idea, its funny quotient, and quality of writing/art. One bonus point will be given to entries that are submitted early. Normal contest etiquette applies. (This means the judges' decisions are final. No arguing over why a piece was chosen or not chosen. There is expectation of courteous communication by both sides. We trust you to verify your own eligibility to the contest and you remain liable for any consequences if you don't.)
How long will the shortlist be?
No less than five and no more than eight entries, per category.
What happens if there's a tie?
To be announced.
* Why do early birds get a benefit?
For balance of volume. Contests get many last-minute entries. If we get a flood of late submissions, we may get overwhelmed and results may be delayed. That would make us cranky. So we encourage early submissions to maintain a nice steady flow of entries. Seriously, you don't want to make us cranky. It's not pretty.
Hey, wait. I know you people. We're friends. We chat often. Do I get the inside track on the contest? *nudge* *wink*
We're friends, you say? Well, don't worry, we won't hold that against you! On the other hand, it won't earn you any favours either.
I am an editor/publisher/cover designer/book agent/retired grandma who's just discovered this thing called Internet/an inhabitant of Antarctica. Can I participate?How long will the shortlist be?
No less than five and no more than eight entries, per category.
What happens if there's a tie?
To be announced.
* Why do early birds get a benefit?
For balance of volume. Contests get many last-minute entries. If we get a flood of late submissions, we may get overwhelmed and results may be delayed. That would make us cranky. So we encourage early submissions to maintain a nice steady flow of entries. Seriously, you don't want to make us cranky. It's not pretty.
Hey, wait. I know you people. We're friends. We chat often. Do I get the inside track on the contest? *nudge* *wink*
We're friends, you say? Well, don't worry, we won't hold that against you! On the other hand, it won't earn you any favours either.
Yes! All are welcome, as long as they can meet the requirements above. Competition is fierce. You are pitting your work against strong contenders, many of whom have years of experience in the industry. So make sure you bring your A-game. (Hang on, you really live at the science stations on Antarctica? Cool, please spread the word there, too. Unless you're a penguin.)
Can I collaborate with a friend and submit a joint entry?
No. Each entry must have only one author.
Can I enter a poem/novel excerpt/screen play/photograph/podcast/anything other than cartoon or essay?
Sorry, no.
Will my entry be acknowledged?
In a way. You will be subscribed to the newsletter, which is emailed twice a month. So if you've received an issue of the newsletter, we've received your entry to the contest. If you don't receive an issue within a month of sending your entry, please contact us.
Why are you subscribing me to your newsletter?
Increasing our readership is one of the objectives of this contest. You are under no obligation to remain subscribed. We do hope, though, that you'll hang around to enjoy the newsletter, because, hello? Cartoons! A 20-second fun read in your inbox every fifteen days! What's to not like?!
What if I am already a subscriber?
Then we love you, and you rise to the top of our favourite persons' list. Fear not, you won't be signed up twice, but you also won't get any preferential treatment as far as this contest goes. Perhaps we can schmooze over a coffee later? Sucks, we know, but we're painfully unbiased here.
What do you mean by 'previously unpublished'? Does my blog post/facebook update/twitter tweet count?
Afraid not. If it's been published in a blog, book, magazine, website, anthology, CD, chat room, writers' forum or even critique group, it does not qualify. If it's still in your little black diary at home buried under clothes and last night's dinner in a corner of your desk drawer, and nobody other than your mum has set eyes on it, it's probably okay to submit.
Why aren't you accepting reprints? Won't that increase your subscriber numbers?
It will. However, we want this contest to be a level playing field for everyone. We want to encourage you to create something brand new! The contest focus is broad enough to allow plenty of latitude for ideas, yet narrow enough to direct and channel your creativity. If your work has been previously published five times, or fifteen, it's probably good, and you should be proud. Now let's give everyone a chance to shine.
I found I made a mistake in my entry, but I've already submitted it. Can I send in a correction, revision or updated version?
No. All submissions are final.
What happens to my entry after the contest?
If your entry gets shortlisted or wins, we ask for publication rights as above. If your entry doesn't make the cut this time, then nothing, you can treat it as before. You don't lose any rights.
Do you accept cheques or direct bank funds transfers?
What if I am already a subscriber?
Then we love you, and you rise to the top of our favourite persons' list. Fear not, you won't be signed up twice, but you also won't get any preferential treatment as far as this contest goes. Perhaps we can schmooze over a coffee later? Sucks, we know, but we're painfully unbiased here.
What do you mean by 'previously unpublished'? Does my blog post/facebook update/twitter tweet count?
Afraid not. If it's been published in a blog, book, magazine, website, anthology, CD, chat room, writers' forum or even critique group, it does not qualify. If it's still in your little black diary at home buried under clothes and last night's dinner in a corner of your desk drawer, and nobody other than your mum has set eyes on it, it's probably okay to submit.
Why aren't you accepting reprints? Won't that increase your subscriber numbers?
It will. However, we want this contest to be a level playing field for everyone. We want to encourage you to create something brand new! The contest focus is broad enough to allow plenty of latitude for ideas, yet narrow enough to direct and channel your creativity. If your work has been previously published five times, or fifteen, it's probably good, and you should be proud. Now let's give everyone a chance to shine.
I found I made a mistake in my entry, but I've already submitted it. Can I send in a correction, revision or updated version?
No. All submissions are final.
If your entry gets shortlisted or wins, we ask for publication rights as above. If your entry doesn't make the cut this time, then nothing, you can treat it as before. You don't lose any rights.
Do you accept cheques or direct bank funds transfers?
No.
Must I provide my real name?
Yes.
Can I send my entry by post?
You're kidding, right? Good one! A sense of humour is exactly what we'd like to see; you should send in an entry!
I love your FAQs! Can I copy them and use them on my website/competition?
We're flattered, but no, thanks. In fact, why settle for imitation when you can get the real thing? Hire us and we'll manage your contest or write copy for you which is as scintillating or even better. Our rates are very modest. In fact, they are so shy and retiring, you'll have to contact us to get a peek at them. Go on, we'll wait.
Still have a question we've not already answered? Feel free to ask us at v3rbolatry(at)gmail(dot)com.
I love your FAQs! Can I copy them and use them on my website/competition?
We're flattered, but no, thanks. In fact, why settle for imitation when you can get the real thing? Hire us and we'll manage your contest or write copy for you which is as scintillating or even better. Our rates are very modest. In fact, they are so shy and retiring, you'll have to contact us to get a peek at them. Go on, we'll wait.
Still have a question we've not already answered? Feel free to ask us at v3rbolatry(at)gmail(dot)com.
