Red_Thread : Categories
A general rule: lemons will not be accepted, though things may be lime-scented if they carry a warning. If you don’t know what a lemon or lime is, I’m not going to be the one to tell you. The only category where uncompleted works will be accepted is in the Best Work-in-Progress category. Don’t worry; if your fic is incomplete for this year, there’s always next year’s contest!It also goes unsaid that all stories will be judged on grammar and spelling. The spellcheck is your friend.
Note: PWP = Plot? What Plot?
Best Comedy
This includes fairy tales, general comedies, parodies, and weirdness in general. Can be a one-shot or a multi-part story. Entries will be judged on originality, plot (doesn’t necessarily require much of one, but no PWPs!) and in-character interactions. Basically, whichever makes the judge choke with glee (without rolling his/her eyes) is the winner.
Best Drama
Stories of all length are acceptable. Remember, angst is not drama! Drama includes some form of humor in between the sobbing and suspense. Characterization and use of (hopefully lack of) clichés are the keys to this category.
Best Mystery
Who can dare host a fanfiction competition with characters of a mystery series without having this category? The mystery doesn’t have to be a head-scratching plot-twister. It doesn’t even have to be the main focal point of the story – however, the mystery should play a major role. Mysteries will be judged on suspense, characterization, originality, and intelligence in general. Stories of all length are fine.
Best Crossover
The category where two unrelated series interact. Fusions will be considered crossovers. No, crossing Magic Kaito and Detective Conan will not be considered a crossover – KID is a minor character in Detective Conan, and therefore the two series are not completely unrelated. Detective Conan or Magic Kaito should have equal time with the series being crossed with it. All lengths will be accepted.
Best Alternate Universe
AU is a fic that follows a different timeline than the current timeline of the series, changes the events that occurred in the canon or, since neither series has yet been completed, makes up an ending for the series. Fics concerning or taking place after the end of the Dark Organization, for example, could be considered Alternate Universe fics. Multi-parts are A-OK.
Best Romance
Looking for the best romance does not mean looking for the best future Harlequin novel. Music fics, comedies, drama, alternate universe, multi-parts… as long as the fic has a romantic nature, it can be submitted into this category. No PWPs.
Best Music Fic
The category for songfics and filks of all lengths and kinds. A songfic is a work where the lyrics to a song are interspersed with the story. A filk is a work where the lyrics to an existing song are altered to fit with the series or storyline. The lyrics chosen for any of these category entries should fit in well with the story.
Best Poetic
Any one-shot can be submitted into this category, though it is primarily for vignettes or monologues. The style of prose is the deciding factor here. Do not confuse this category with the category below, the Best Poem category!
Best Poem
Due to fan response, this category is a late addition to the ranks, though not less important. All forms of poetry will be accepted: free verse, lined, haiku, whatever, as long as it's not a story. Style of language, creativity, rhythm, imagery, and the emotional impact on the judges decide the winner(s?) for this category.
Best Work-in-Progress
This is the only category where incomplete, multi-part works will be accepted, since usually a story without an ending is hard to judge. It helps if there are more than four parts in the story so far, though the length of each part makes this rule flexible. For instance, if there were two parts at 50k each, that would equal 4 parts at 25k each… You get it. Stories of all kinds are welcome, as long as they’re 1) incomplete (no, really, Frances?) and 2) not dragged-on PWPs. Incomplete one-shots will not be accepted.
And now for the big guns...
It is unnecessary for anyone to submit stories specifically for these categories. It will be assumed that every story submitted for any of the above categories is also entered for those below, excluding works-in-progress.
Best One-Shot
The winner of this would be the King of All One-Shots (at least, the king of those submitted for that year). Originality, prose, characterization, grammar… all of it will be scrutinized.
Best Multi-Part Story
I guess you could call this the King of All Multi-Parts. Once again, only completed multi-part stories will be accepted, though all category-types are welcome.
Best Overall
Now this is the King of All Entries. Every judge will have two votes to dispense as they will – either both to one story (and judges can vote for their own, you self-promoting weasels you) or one vote to two stories. The most votes will win.
Hope that cleared up some questions you might have had about the different categories. Good luck, and please submit stories of your own!
