#VersaTale

Using the theme ‘seeking’, write a rhyming story in 450-500 words. The end words of each ‘consecutive’ sentence need to be perfect or near perfect rhymes (aabbccdd format). 

Example-

A gnarble left his cozy bed along the ocean floor. He dreamt about a place that he had never seen before! He headed to the surface for a glimpse of sun and sky. A trip so long and perilous, he’d be the first to try!
The Journey of the Noble Gnarble – by Daniel Errico.

Please ensure that the story reads as prose and not a poem. There must be a plot, characters, story arc as recommended for a flash fiction. 

• Check this link to get down to the nitty-gritty of writing flash fiction
• Send in your entries to penmagica@gmail.com as an attachment in a word document (.doc/.docx) along with a 2-3 line bio, in the third person (not required if previously sent).
• The subject of your mail should be “Entry for #QuinTale-51″(compulsory).
• Along with your entry PLEASE send a suggested cover in landscape form for your story (to be sent as a separate attachment or a link of the stock photo (not watermarked) would be enough, of high resolution -900 pixels and above on either, Pixabay, Pexels or Unsplash) The elves at Penmancy are mighty pleased if a story is accompanied by a cover. 

Rules:

1. 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.)
2. 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. 
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. NO corrections/ reviews of story/ies shall be entertained, but you may submit your edited stories after the event has concluded.

Winning criteria:

1.The winner will be chosen on the basis of the judges’ scores (out of 10)-

• plot/story/creativity (15 points)
• language/grammar (10 points)
• narrative voice & content (9 points)
• emotional impact, (8 points)
• use of prompt/theme (8 points)

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. No scores will be shared with the participants.

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.

Event timelines:

• The last date of submission is April 23, 2022 (Sunday).
• Three winners shall be announced on May 2, 2023, at 8 PM (Tuesday).

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

The winners of the event shall receive the book ‘Tanaji & The Treasure Trail‘ by Shraddha Sahi.

This book has been shared by the author as a part of the Penmancy #BookNook Gift-a-Book program

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