This page lists the requirements for sanctioning a fiction-based competition for the awarding of Clusters of Ice. All fiction competitions, including ACC and Run Ons, must go through the Voice Staff before final approval by the MAA Staff.
Important Note: If a competition is being submitted without the intention of seeking Clusters of Ice, it must clearly be stated in the public details. If this option is chosen, the following guidelines will not apply.
Voice Office Competition Approval Guidelines
Required Elements
- Clear Grading Criteria - This is perhaps the most important aspect to any competition, fiction competitions included. While we encourage folks to use the official Voice Fiction Grading Rubric, it is not a requirement. As long as the criteria are clearly stated, it will be sufficient for this requirement. These grading criteria must be stated in the public details portion of the competition.
- Separation Between Prompt and Instructions - When submitting a fiction competition, there needs to be a clear separation between the prompt and grading criteria and other instructions. This can be through the use of headings, bold/italic text, or other methods to create a clear delineation in the final product. It is suggested, though not required, that all prompt information should be in the Details for Participants section.
- Word Count Minimums and Maximums - When submitting a competition, clearly define minimum word counts or post counts for run-ons, if any will be enforced. While not required, prose competitions are recommended to have a minimum word count of five hundred (500) words. Run-on based events are suggested to have a minimum of two (2) posts of two hundred fifty (250) words. This guarantees that all submitters receive a minimum of one Cluster of Ice. Co-op fiction events should have a five hundred (500) word per participant minimum and incorporate some method by which the word count for each participant can be measured. When a word maximum is used in a co-op fiction it can only be an overall one, not per participant.
Prohibited Elements
- Page Minimums/Maximums - All submission minimums and maximums should be stated in a number of words as opposed to a number of pages.
- Font/Size Limitations - Because page based limitations are not allowed, regulating font and size is also prohibited. All submissions should be in a legible font and size, but specifying allowed fonts is neither necessary nor permitted.
After The Competition
- Report Word Counts to Voice Staff - At the end of any competition approved for Clusters of Ice, word counts and PINs for all submissions must be sent to the Voice office staff for processing. The competition name, ID, and link should be provided. Word counts should be submitted in the following formats:
- Fiction: PIN#WordCount (e.g. 1294#900,8#1000,50#850,1400#600)
- Run-On: PIN#WordCount#NumPosts (e.g. 1294#900#2,8#1000#3,50#850#2,1400#6000#4)
DJB Wide Competitions
As DJB wide events tend to have an increased award level and much wider exposure, the Voice office will look at such events with enhanced scrutiny. As such, there will be added requirements for approval of a DJB wide event as detailed below
- Duration and Timing- All DJB wide events must run for a minimum of 21 days/three weeks. Events that would run during a Vendetta will be rejected.
- Prompts - For DJB wide events, prompts must be applicable and of interest to the entire Brotherhood. Further, they can not offer different options for individual clans as this might give members of one clan and advantage over another.
- Grading Criteria- It is greatly preferred that DJB wide competitions use the official Voice Fiction Grading Rubric. Any changes to this formula must be explicitly spelled out in the event description.
- Documentation and Feedback - When DJB wide events are being judged, the grading rubric must be filled out for each entry. These will be subject to verification by Voice Office staff as needed. They should also be made available to those seeking feedback on their work