Rules and Sign Up Post

[teot]

Harlequin novels, which are turned out at a rate of 70 a month in North America alone, simmer with sexual tension and hit all the emotional highs and lows of grand opera. -- Wendy Marx.

The Smallville Harlequin Challenge is based on the Highlander Schmarlequin Contest and as such has a theme that is historical rather than modern. This is a challenge structured around artwork; you get to choose between two covers that are similar in both pairing and time period, but vastly different in tone.

SEE THE COVERS

Your goal is to write a story based around the cover, somewhat loosely based around the cover, or just in *some* way related to the cover.

We've been blessed with two covers from very talented artists. Huge thanks to lapetite_kiki and osiness, and also to osiness for the cool promotional banners. Be aware that prompts have been provided for inspiration, but you're encouraged to come up with something entirely original.

The Rules:

1. Stories must be at least 1,000 words. There is no limit on upper length.

2. This is a challenge *and* a contest. Your story will be posted to this journal by the moderator and you'll remain anonymous until the awards are presented. Voting will commence once all stories have been posted. Do NOT post your story to your LJ until the contest is over; obviously, that will defeat the whole purpose of anonymity.

3. You must be at least 18 years or older to participate.

4. You may submit as many stories as you want, for both covers. A beta reader is appreciated, but not required.

5. You have over two full months to write. Stories are due March 21, 2007.

6. Stories may be any rating, from G to NC17. They should also be primarily Clark/Lex, but secondary pairings are permitted.

7. There will be two grand prizes, one for each cover. The prize is your name and title on the cover itself. The cover will essentially become "yours". Second and third place will also be announced for each cover, however, there's no prizes for these places. ETA: Each of the first runners-up will receive a vid trailer from talitha78.

8. Your story will be judged by the readers. After the last story is posted, voting will be conducted in a poll which will last for two weeks to give everyone a chance to read the stories and vote. Your story will be judged on both overall quality and how well it fits the cover.

Sign ups are now closed.

Late sign ups are allowed until this post changes, but obviously, you won't get as much time to write as everyone else.

Please send your stories to teot@livejournal.com no later than Wednesday, March 21, 2007. Stories will be posted Thursday, March 22, 2007 and posting will last approximately a week, depending on how many entries we receive.

Oh, and pimping is welcomed and encouraged. :-)

Have fun!