World of Darkness Novel Contest
$20,000 in prizes!

The World of Darkness is home to vampires, werewolves, mages and other supernatural mysteries not so easily labeled. While we’re delighted for you to join us as we recount some of these stories, we’d also like to hear your story. And we’re going to make it worth your time with a $20,000 World of Darkness Novel Contest that will help us find the best new novel.

How It Works

The contest will take place in three rounds. One hundred winners in Round One will be invited to participate in Round Two, and five winners of that round will be asked to complete their novels for consideration for the grand prize.

(Please also read the contest rules.)

Round One

The contest opens on January 1, 2005. The deadline for Round One is April 15, 2005. You may enter the contest by email only. Send a synopsis of your proposed novel to novelcontest@worldofdarkness.com. (Please do not send questions to this address. Use the normal contact page for questions. Any materials sent before January 1, 2005 will be deleted unread.)

Your synopsis must:

• be no more than 250 words (about one typed page);

• include a brief description of the novel’s protagonist;

• include an overview of the plot of the novel

• involve one of the Vampire: The Requiem or Werewolf: The Forsaken signature characters. They do not need to be protagonists in your novel, but at least one of them must play an important role.

• demonstrate knowledge of the World of Darkness.

• be imbedded as part of the email itself, not as an attachment

• include your full legal name, date of birth, street address, phone number and email address (which does not count toward your 250 words)

• include the following legal statement (which does not count toward your 250 words):

I submit my idea voluntarily and on a non-confidential basis, and I understand that this submission by me and its acceptance by White Wolf Publishing, Inc. does not, in whole or in part, establish or create by implication, or otherwise, any relationship between White Wolf and me beyond consideration in Round One of the present contest. I agree that this synopsis becomes the property of White Wolf Publishing, Inc. I further understand that the acceptance by White Wolf of this synopsis neither creates nor implies any confidential relationship, guarantee of secrecy, nor any recognition or acknowledgment of either novelty or originality.

The authors of the 100 best submissions will each receive $50 and an invitation to enter Round Two.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) for Round One

Q: Only one submission is allowed per person, but my first submission contained an error or ommission. What do I do?
A: Resend your submission, but in the subject line include the words "CORRECTED RESUBMISSION".

Q: I submitted an entry for the contest. How can I know if my submission was received?
A: The deadline for the contest is April 15, 2005. Between April 16-18 you will receive a reply to the email address from which you sent your submission. If you do not receive such an email, then you may resubmit your entry on April 19th ONLY.

Q: My submission is 251 words long. Will my entry be disqualified?
A: You're fine. Don't sweat the details of the length. Around 250 is fine.
 
Q: Does the delay of Werewolf fiction affect entries in the World of Darkness Fiction Contest? My novel idea involves werewolves, so I am concerned about this.
A: Don't worry about it. The delay of the previously scheduled novels does not affect contest entries. If a Werewolf novel wins the contest then the publication of that book will be a special release.

Round Two

The 100 winners from Round One must all write the first chapter of their proposed novel and submit it prior to June 30, 2005. The five best opening chapters will earn their authors $1,000 each, as well as in invitation to enter the Final Round. More details will be provided to Round One winners.

ROUND TWO CLOSED

FINAL ROUND

The five winners of Round Two will enter the Final Round, which requires the completion of a first draft of your novel by April 30, 2006. The author of the best of the completed novels will win a grand prize of a $10,000 advance for the publication of their novel in November of 2006. All other completed novels will also be considered for publication under the terms of our standard novel contract.

Signature Characters

As stated above, to be valid, all entries must feature one or more of the Vampire: The Requiem or Werewolf: The Forsaken signature characters. They don’t need to be protagonists but should play important roles. The links below provide more details on the signature characters and you can also check out the relevant game books and novels for further information:

Vampire: The Requiem Signature Characters

Werewolf: The Forsaken Signature Characters

FINAL ROUND CLOSED

The contest is finished and the final winner of the World of Darkness Novel Contest has been announced: Read the News Announcement.

Contest Rules

The following rules apply:

1. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age on January 1, 2005.

2. The contest judges may at their sole discretion refuse to consider any entry for any reason. Submissions that do not follow the instructions (synopsis too long, sent before the start date, etc.) will be not be considered.

3. These are horror stories, so horrific elements are expected, but the synopsis, first chapter and novels should not contain pornographic and tastelessly explicit material.

4. Only one entry per person is allowed. Former and present employees of White Wolf, Inc. may not enter, nor may freelancers who have been published in White Wolf, Inc. products or are currently under contract with White Wolf, Inc.

5. All entries must be accompanied by the full real name of the author as well as the author’s physical address, email address and phone number.

6. Only novels set within the World of Darkness will be considered.

7. All submissions become the sole property of White Wolf Inc.

8. Submission of a synopsis constitutes acceptance of these rules and conditions.