Hey, everyone! This is a little idea I had. I've seen similar contests in the past, so I thought I'd give it a shot (because it's minimal work for me but is still something that people can enjoy.)
I'm going to host an art/writing contest, and the winners will be published in a collaborative art book!

Basic Info:

-I self publish my comics using Ka-Blam. They're affordable and do decent work, and I have yet to have a problem with their books. I love Ka-Blam! I would use them to print the finished product.

-Unfortunately, Ka-Blam no longer does hardcovers, so the book will be softcover, 6.75"x10.25"

-Full color!

-I haven't decided a page count yet, but if this takes off and there are 50 pages, it would cost $7.63 to print each book (Ka-Blam offers a price break after 25 copies.) For this project to be successful, people will need to pre-order and buy copies! Printing costs money. Advertise! Tell your friends! Tell strangers! This is a great way to get exposure for your work!

-All artists will be credited for their work. For my own sake, winning artists will have to sign a release form. This protects me from legal action in case you suddenly go crazy and change your mind about being published even after the book comes out. Remember, this is about getting exposure for you and your work! The release form will also bar you from payment, but don't be put off by that. Even if the project is successful, printing costs are relatively pricey when trying to make a profit, so you're not missing out on anything substantial, if it were split between every artist who participates. Any profit made would go right back into the printing process (shipping prices went up in the US ;A; )

Rules and How to Enter:

The art book will have a theme! The theme is Dream Land. This theme is OPEN TO INTERPRETATION! I want exciting concepts and daring narratives!

UP TO FIVE ENTRIES ALLOWED PER-PERSON. COLLABORATIONS ACCEPTED.

Art Rules:

-All work must contain original characters only! No copyrighted characters! And please, no fan characters!

-The artwork cannot be recycled! It must be made specifically for this contest.

-Your work can be in color or black and white (be confident in your stylistic choices.)

-Digital or traditional work is fine, both are encouraged!

-Finished pieces can be uploaded to deviantART or tumblr, but MUST contain a link to this post! They can be whatever size you want for the online version.

-When submitting a piece to me, send it to areyoshi@gmail.com with a Subject line that lets me know it's for this contest.

-Finished pieces to be submitted must fit Ka-Blam's size guidelines!
If you are doing a portrait view, use these specifications as a guide: [link]
If you are doing a landscape view, use these specifications as a guide: [link]

-Please send me RBG .png or .tiff files only! 300 DPI. NO JPEG OR CMYK.

Writing Rules:

-The writing portion is for SHORT STORIES AND POETRY only.

-Maximum of 10 pages (Sorry!). No minimum.

-You can be creative with font and font size, but be SMART and make sure it's still readable!

-All work must contain original characters only! No copyrighted characters! And please, no fan characters!

-The story/poem cannot be recycled! It must be made specifically for this contest.

-Finished pieces can be uploaded to deviantART or tumblr, but MUST contain a link to this post!

-When submitting a piece to me, send it to areyoshi@gmail.com with a Subject line that lets me know it's for this contest.

-You have two options for how to prepare the files. You can either type on an image with the correct size specifications (see here: [link] ) and send it to me as a .png or .tiff file (300 dpi), or you can "fully typeset the interior pages in your desktop publishing software of choice (Quark, InDesign, etc.), then export the file as a PDF and send us that. If you choose the second option then be sure that you either convert all of your fonts to curves (if possible) or else include all fonts used in the document when you send it..." (Ka-Blam FAQ)

Voting and Prizes!

-The end date for submissions is still tentative. I'll decide that later, when I know how many people are interested.

-There will be online polls to decide whose work appears in the book.

~PRIZES~

Top winners in the polls for both categories (number is tentative until we know how many entries there are) will get their piece published in the book! These people will get a FREE COPY of the finished book, along with the exposure that comes from being published!

Random Selection from top winners. One lucky top winner will be awarded a 3 month subscription to deviantART!

Honorable mentions, pieces that are entered but don't make it into the book, will be featured on my page for 6 months and will also be featured in a post on my tumblr (if they're hosted online. They don't have to be.)

Random Selection from honorable mentions. One lucky honorable mention will be awarded a 1 month subscription to deviantART!

Want to donate a prize? Accepting offers for subscriptions, points, and artwork! Send me a note if you want to donate.

Questions? Contact me here, or email me at areyoshi@gmail.com

I'll try to post samples soon!