Prompt

ZOETIC

A story with an inanimate character that is alive

Rules:

  1. Pen your #zoetic story with upto 2 inanimate characters.
  2. Your fictional story can be in any genre (or a combination of two or more genres).
  3. The submitted story must be between 450-500 words (each). Entries lower than or exceeding the word limit will stand disqualified for the event. (Penmancy Tip: Use https://wordcounter.io/ to check your word count.)
  4. There is no limit to the number of entries you may submit- though only the first story received shall qualify for the event. The remaining story/ies shall be treated as a guest story/ies. 
  5. Previously published or plagiarised works will not be considered for contention. The writer of such content stands to be disqualified for the next Penmancy event.
  6. Stories found to have been shared on another platform or blog before the declaration of results stands disqualified from the event.
    In case a story is received after the submission deadline, it shall be considered as a guest entry and shall not qualify for the event.
  7. NO corrections/ reviews of story/ies shall be entertained, but you may submit your edited stories after the event has concluded.

Winning criteria:

The winner will be chosen on the basis of votes from the readers and the judges’ scores (out of 10), in the ratio 30:70

  1. a. Judges’ scores to be based on-
    • plot/story/creativity (15 points)
    • language/grammar (10 points)
    • narrative voice & content (9 points)
    • emotional impact, (8 points)
    • use of prompt/theme (8 points) 

b. The voting process for the readers:

2. The entries adjudged by a panel of judges and event organisers shall be binding. Judges’ scores to be deemed final and may not be contested.

3. All writers are required to read and comment on 5 stories other than their own and encourage their fellow writers with valuable and constructive inputs. Comments like “nice”, “good work”, “brilliant piece”, etc. do not provide the necessary critique and are not helpful for anyone. 

4. Only stories that garnered an average score/rating of 7.5 and above from the panel of judges shall be eligible for winning.   

5. Event timelines-

Announcement of winners may be postponed or preponed depending on the number of entries received.

Three winners of the event shall win a copy of the book “21 Stories for ’21” by The Book Buzz.

For questions related to the rules and criteria, please write to us at penmagica@gmail.com


Below are the submissions