Please take part and win yourself a prize!
(This contest officially began on the 1st December 2010).
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Announcing the Astronomican Winter 2010/2011 Contest
To say that this concept has taken a while to put together is quite the understatement. The Mod Team at
Astro have been debating the various aspects of this contest for what seems like weeks, but we have got there in the end.
So, to cut to the chase, what’s this all about? In order to hold a truly magnificent Winter Contest it needs to involve every aspect of the hobby, let’s face it; some of us are good at fiction while others are better at painting or army building or even conversions. If you are good at any of the above items, then this is for you.
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There are 3
separate categories within the Astronomican Winter Contest, which are as follows:
(1) Fiction
(2) Conversions and Modelling
(3) Painting
Each category will be split in to 2
separate skill levels, being ‘acolyte’ and ‘master’.
Why? Well, we want to give everyone the best possible chance of success within the contest. For example, a participant who has written fiction for 10+ years, who has had some of their work published before, is highly likely to triumph over someone who is writing a piece of fiction for the very first time. If we split these individuals in to ‘master’ and ‘acolyte’ categories then they do not have to do battle with each other, which in turn allows the novice author a chance of success at his/her own echelon, without concern that they are competing against uber experienced folks; likely denying themselves a shot at a prize.
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The theme of the Astronomican Winter Contest is:
‘Unsung Heroes’
Who or what is an ‘unsung hero’?’ That’s totally up to you. It could be the lone Cadian Guardsman who gives his life, so that his brothers have the time to muster a counter-attack. How about the pilot of an Imperial Navy fighter who refuses to take to the skies or a Dark Elf Assassin who finds himself trapped within the walls of Altdorf. We are sure you will agree that the options are nigh on limitless. It is your job to portray the unsung hero through the medium of fiction, conversion or painting – whatever you feel the best option is for your skill-set.
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So who has the task of picking the winning entries? There will be 6 specialist judges, 2 for each category, who have the final decisions. The judges have been chosen because of their vast expertise and acclaim in each of their respective fields, and their anonymity will stay intact until the closure of the contest. The judges will also be receiving the entries from Brannick (who is the main organiser of the contest and Admin at Astronomican) with no names attached, so they will not know who the respective author, painter or sculptor is; this again takes away any possible bias and keeps the playing field level.
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The Rules
Contest entries are open to any army within the Warhammer 40,000 or Warhammer Fantasy Battle realms.
Team submissions are expressly forbidden within the rules you are about to read. For example, a competent ‘master’ category author may not submit an entry in the name of an individual who is submitting an entry within the conversions and/or painting sections, to enable said individual to have a greater prospect of success. We urge you to immediately report any foul play in this regard to Brannick.
Fiction:
1) To write a
brand new piece (or pieces) of fiction of no fewer than 1000 words per piece. By ‘brand new’ we mean that this is a work that has never been displayed online before and is written fresh from the opening date of the contest. We accept this is something that is very difficult for us to police, so there is a very real element of trust involved, not only by us as the organising Mod Team, but your fellow participants too. Have respect for all concerned.
2) Any breach of ‘Rule 1’ will initiate instant disqualification from the contest. If you know that someone is purposefully trying to gain an advantage by breaching the rules then please contact Brannick at Astronomican immediately.
3) Make sure that your story actually concentrates on the contest theme ‘unsung heroes’ – any stories that do not are unlikely to gain favour with the judges, so be warned!
4) All story submissions
must be sent to Brannick via e-mail no later than 23:59:59 (GMT) on Monday 28th February 2011. Any story received after this time will have to be granted dispensation by both Brannick and
all of the authors who are competing against said story within the particular category.
5) An author is permitted to submit more than 1 piece of fiction, but no more than 3. If a participant makes multiple fiction submissions then all of his/her work will be placed within one category. Entries
cannot be spread between the ‘master’ and ‘acolyte’ categories to maximise success/prizes.
6) A fiction section participant is not limited to the fiction section of this contest. An author may also choose to submit miniatures to the painting and/or conversions sections. For example, an author may submit an ‘acolyte’ entry to the fiction section and also submit a ‘master’ entry to the painting section. If a participant is adjudicated to have gained a winning entry in the fiction section and the painting and/or conversions sections, then the participant will be asked to choose the section that he/she takes the prize from. A multiple placed individual will not walk away with multi prizes – a contest entrant is limited to 1 prize from the overall scheme of the contest. The second placed individual within the category not chosen by the multiple placed entrant will automatically gain first prize in that category.
7) Fiction entrants
must not discuss the content of their work online. We reiterate that it is our intention to present the judges with stories that they cannot link to specific authors so as to alleviate the potential for any bias.
8) Fiction entrants are welcome to discuss their work or any aspect of the contest with Brannick, who will not be entering the contest so as to remain as a non-biased overseer, at any stage.
9) Brannick has the final decision on all aspects of this contest. If an issue is to arise then his decision will be final.
Conversions and Modelling: –
’Modifying the model(s) that make up your entry. From conversions as simple as switching a bolt pistol to plasma pistol all the way up to full re-constructions with green-stuff. The only thing limiting your creativity is your own imagination!’
1) To begin a ‘brand new’ conversion post the date of the contest commencement. By ‘brand new’ we mean that this is a conversion that is not already underway at the time of the contest origination and is also not displayed online before the opening date of the contest.
2) All conversion submissions
must be sent to Brannick via e-mail no later than 23:59:59 (GMT) on Monday 28th February 2011. Any conversion received after this time will have to be granted dispensation by both Brannick and
all of the participants who are competing against said conversion within the particular category.
3) A conversion entrant is permitted to submit more than 1 converted ‘piece’, but no more than 3. If a participant makes multiple conversion submissions then all of his/her work will be placed within one category. Entries
cannot be spread between the ‘master’ and ‘acolyte’ categories to maximise success/prizes.
4) Make sure that your conversion actually concentrates on the contest theme ‘unsung heroes’ – any conversions that do not are unlikely to gain favour with the judges, so be warned!
5) It is
essential that all conversion entries
must be supported with
clear and
concise photographic evidence of their work from the very first day that they begin, continuing through the process to completion (along with a step-by-step guide text if they so wish). A judge will be unable to ‘judge’ if there are no photographs or the photographs are of a poor quality. If you do not have a camera then plan ahead ASAP so that you can obtain one to document your work.
6) A conversion entrant must produce a
clear and
concise photograph of the miniature(s) he/she intends to convert
before they have commenced work on it/them (as part of their entry piece). The photograph
must feature a ‘date’ as authenticity as to when they started work; be it a newspaper heading et cetera.
7) Any entry that does not adhere to ‘Rule 6’ will be instantly disqualified from the contest.
8) A conversion entrant is allowed to submit artwork along with written ‘fluff’ to support his/her submission(s). Fluff will not be deemed as a fiction section submission unless the conversion entrant specifically states. The more you can give the judges to support your thoughts and ideas behind your conversion the more they are likely to understand and appreciate you work!
9) A conversion ‘piece’
could feature multiple miniatures to make up the single submission – this will count as 1 entry. However, the entrant
must stipulate whether miniature submissions are part of a single or multiple entry. For example, a lone Ultramarine Terminator fighting off 3 Genestealers
could be entered as a single piece, allowing the conversion participant to enter a further 2 pieces if he or she wished.
10) Conversion section entrants may also submit the exact same piece, which they present as a conversion section entry, in to the painting section. When doing so the participant
must state what category they would like the conversion to be judged within and what category the painting to be judged within.
11) In light of ‘Rule 10’ – entrants will also be required to adhere to the painting section rules, as detailed below.
12) A conversion section participant is not limited to the conversion section of this contest. A conversion entrant may also choose to submit miniatures to the painting section or produce a piece of writing as a fiction section submission. For example, a conversion entrant may submit an ‘acolyte’ entry to the conversion section and also submit a ‘master’ entry to the fiction section. If a participant is adjudicated to have gained a winning entry in the conversion section and the painting and/or fiction sections, then the participant will be asked to choose the section that he/she takes the prize from. A multiple placed individual will not walk away with multi prizes – a contest entrant is limited to 1 prize from the overall scheme of the contest. The second placed individual within the category not chosen by the multiple placed entrant will automatically gain first prize in that category.
13) Full sculpt conversions will be accepted in to this section of this contest if any individual wishes to ‘push the boat out’ in to these realms.
14) Conversion entrants
must not discuss the content of their work online. We reiterate that it is our intention to present the judges with converted miniatures that they cannot link to specific individuals so as to alleviate the potential for any bias.
15) Conversion entrants are welcome to discuss their work or any aspect of the contest with Brannick, who will not be entering the contest so as to remain as a non-biased overseer, at any stage.
16) Brannick has the final decision on all aspects of this contest. If an issue is to arise then his decision will be final.
Painting: –
’The use and choices of your colours, free hand drawings and anything else related to the application of colours, decals and anything else colour related to your chosen mini(s).’
1) To begin a ‘brand new’ painted miniature post the date of the contest commencement. By ‘brand new’ we mean that this is a painted miniature that is not already underway at the time of the contest origination and is also not displayed online before the opening date of the contest.
2) All painted miniature submissions
must be sent to Brannick via e-mail no later than 23:59:59 (GMT) on Monday 28th February 2011. Any painting section submissions received after this time will have to be granted dispensation by both Brannick and
all of the participants who are competing against said miniature within the particular category.
3) A painting entrant is permitted to submit more than 1 painted ‘piece’, but no more than 3. If a participant makes multiple painting submissions then all of his/her work will be placed within one category. Entries
cannot be spread between the ‘master’ and ‘acolyte’ categories to maximise success/prizes.
4) Make sure that your painted miniature actually concentrates on the contest theme ‘unsung heroes’ – any miniatures that do not are unlikely to gain favour with the judges, so be warned!
5) It is
essential that all painting entries
must be supported with
clear and
concise photographic evidence of their work from the very first day that they begin, continuing through the process to completion (along with a step-by-step guide text if they so wish). A judge will be unable to ‘judge’ if there are no photographs or the photographs are of a poor quality. If you do not have a camera then plan ahead ASAP so that you can obtain one to document your work.
6) A painting entrant must produce a
clear and
concise photograph of the miniature(s) he/she intends to paint
before they have commenced work on it/them (as part of their entry piece). The photograph
must feature a ‘date’ as authenticity as to when they started work; be it a newspaper heading et cetera.
7) Any entry that does not adhere to ‘Rule 6’ will be instantly disqualified from the contest.
8) A painting entrant is allowed to submit artwork along with written ‘fluff’ to support his/her submission(s). Fluff will not be deemed as a fiction section submission unless the painting entrant specifically states. The more you can give the judges to support your thoughts and ideas behind your painted miniature the more they are likely to understand and appreciate you work!
9) A painting ‘piece’
could feature multiple miniatures to make up the single submission – this will count as 1 entry. However, the entrant
must stipulate whether miniature submissions are part of a single or multiple entry. For example, a lone Ultramarine Terminator fighting off 3 Genestealers
could be entered as a single piece, allowing the painting participant to enter a further 2 pieces if he or she wished.
10) Painting section entrants may also submit the exact same piece, which they present as a painting section entry, in to the conversion section. When doing so the participant
must state what category they would like the painting to be judged within and what category the conversion to be judged within.
11) In light of ‘Rule 10’ – entrants will also be required to adhere to the conversion section rules, as detailed above.
12) A painting section participant is not limited to the painting section of this contest. A painting entrant may also choose to submit miniatures to the conversion section or produce a piece of writing as a fiction section submission. For example, a painting entrant may submit an ‘acolyte’ entry to the painting section and also submit a ‘master’ entry to the fiction section. If a participant is adjudicated to have gained a winning entry in the painting section and the conversion and/or fiction sections, then the participant will be asked to choose the section that he/she takes the prize from. A multiple placed individual will not walk away with multi prizes – a contest entrant is limited to 1 prize from the overall scheme of the contest. The second placed individual within the category not chosen by the multiple placed entrant will automatically gain first prize in that category.
13) Painting entrants
must not discuss the content of their work online. We reiterate that it is our intention to present the judges with painted miniatures that they cannot link to specific individuals so as to alleviate the potential for any bias.
14) Painting entrants are welcome to discuss their work or any aspect of the contest with Brannick, who will not be entering the contest so as to remain as a non-biased overseer, at any stage.
15) Brannick has the final decision on all aspects of this contest. If an issue is to arise then his decision will be final.
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Prizes
We are very lucky indeed to have the financial support of the
Total Wargamer website for this contest. The owner has guaranteed a prize for all category winners.
The category winners will be asked to choose a prize from either the Total Wargamer website or from the Black Library website (for cost as of yet to be determined).
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How do I submit my contest entry?
You will need to find Brannick and send him a
PM, upon receipt of which he will provide you with his direct e-mail address. Brannick can also be contacted at [email]brannick@astronomican.com[/email] but he tends not to use this address for submissions as it can be a little cantankerous at times!
Remember, no later than 23:59:59 (GMT) on Monday 28th February 2011 – and don’t forget to state whether your entry is for the ‘acolyte’ or ‘master’ category.
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Final Thoughts
As you can see, the scope for this contest is enormous. Tie that in to 6 guaranteed winners and we believe that fun times can be had by all. We have attempted to be as rigorous as we can in order to achieve an equal opportunity of success for every single entrant.
It is quite possible that a single Eldar Jetbike could outshine a Forgeworld Reaver Titan in the painting category. A 1200 word fiction submission about Bretonnian Knights may achieve the spoils of success over a 100,000 word epic about an Ogre Tyrant and his kin. Then again a huge Warhammer diorama conversion of Giants attacking village folk could well romp to victory against a solitary Space Marine who is in the throws of being torn to shreds by a Tyranid Mawloc.
Please note: the judges for the painting and conversion categories have contacted Brannick to make sure that we stress the importance of
clear and
concise photographs, with supporting text and information where possible, within these particular sections. Without quality photographic evidence the judges will be unable to fulfil their role and your entry is unlikely to achieve success!
On a final note, the Mod Team at Astronomican would like to express a hearty thanks to Adders of Total Wargamer, the 6 Judges who remain nameless for the moment and, of course, to every one who joins in and enters the contest because without you it will not succeed.
We cannot wait to see what your imaginations create.
Automatically Appended Next Post:
Here is the current discussion thread about the contest at Astronomican. A number of questions have already been asked/answered, so may help you.
You will not need to register an account at Astro to view the thread in question.
