Writing contest rules

1. The Contest is open only to holders of Malakai World Creator accounts in good standing. Such accounts with published work will automatically be considered entrants into this Contest.

2. No entry fee is required, and all rights in the story remain the property of the author. All genres are welcome though genres that fit with Malakai World's existing range of fantasy, horror, steampunk, action, sci-fi, and adventure are encouraged.

3. By submitting to the Contest, the entrant agrees to abide by all Contest rules and agrees to the Terms & Conditions of the Malakai World website, including licensing terms for content posted by the entrant.

4. All entries must be original works by the entrant, in English. Entrant may use any material posted on the Malakai World website as inspiration for their entry, including content published by other members. However, plagiarism, which includes the use of proprietary third-party storylines, prose, poetry, song lyrics, characters, or another person’s universe, without written permission, will result in disqualification. Excessive violence or sex and the use of profane, vulgar, racist, or offensive words, as determined by the judges, will result in the story being rejected. Entries may not have been previously published in professional media.

5. To be eligible, story entries must be works of prose, up to 50,000 words in length. Character entries created using the Malakai World template will also be considered.

6. Only entries posted on the Malakai World website in 'published' mode will be considered for this contest.

7. There shall be a cash prize of £2,000 awarded to the winning Creator and up to five cash prizes of £500 for shortlisted Creators paid out in 2024. The winning Creator will also receive a contract commissioning them to write a full-length novel to be published in paperback and ebook formats by Malakai Publishing Limited, owner of the Malakai World website, at a date of their choosing. The other shortlisted Creators who each receive cash prizes will also see their entries published as part of a separate collection. Both the winning Creator and the other shortlisted Creators who receive cash prizes will also receive royalties on revenues generated by their work published by Malakai Publishing Limited, as per the terms and conditions of Malakai World.

8. The Contest will run until May 31, 2024. Any work posted in 'published' mode to the Malakai World website will be considered for this Contest until that date.

9. Each entrant may submit as many entries as they like.

10. Entrants may revise their entries as often as they wish.

11. Entries will be judged by a jury of judges to be selected by Malakai Publising Limited. The decisions of the judges are entirely their own and are final and binding. The jury reserves the right to decide that, at the deadlines stated above, no entrant has produced work of suitable quality to be shortlisted or to win any prize, in which case there will be no winner declared and the contest will be extended by 12 months.

12. Winners will be individually notified of the results by phone, mail, or e-mail, as needed.

13. This Contest is void where prohibited by law.