NOTELORIAThe NOTELORIA writing notebook
How to Invite Participants to an Original Character Contest
Introduction
An original character contest should tell creators which part of their work will be considered. Concept writing, costume interpretation, prop construction and live performance are different achievements; “best OC” does not explain how judges will compare them. Begin with the category, then work backward to the materials an entrant needs to submit. This guide uses the invented Worldseed Original Character Showcase to demonstrate an understandable call for entries. You will learn to define eligibility, request a concise profile, acknowledge collaborators and distinguish made, adapted and purchased elements. The invitation also needs separate registration and delivery dates, published judging criteria and a clear account of any requested image use. A creator should be able to decide whether the contest fits their work without guessing at hidden standards or assuming that submitting for review gives away control of future publication.
Understanding the Theme
An OC contest can evaluate concept writing, costume interpretation, prop design or a short character performance. Those categories need different submission materials and judging criteria. The call for entries should make originality expectations understandable without pretending the organizer can certify that an idea has never resembled anything else.
Use “contest” or “judged showcase” only when comparative evaluation is actually planned. “Worldseed Original Character Showcase — judged categories” can state that format explicitly. Address eligible creators, not only performers. The call should move from categories and criteria to submission materials, staged deadlines, arrival and the separate request for any public image use.
When to Use This Style
- Concept-writing category: invite a short original profile with a word limit.
- Costume interpretation: ask entrants to identify their contribution and relevant purchased pieces.
- Prop presentation: request the approved prop details and a brief design explanation.
- Live character showcase: explain presentation length, content boundaries and optional observer attendance.
How to Write
1. Define eligible entries
- Information to confirm
- Original-character scope and the actual audience.
- Reason
- Entrants need to know what belongs before applying.
- Draft wording
- Enter an original character you created; list collaborators where relevant.
- Watch for
- Claiming the contest can certify absolute originality.
2. Separate the categories
- Information to confirm
- Writing, costume, prop and performance divisions.
- Reason
- Different work deserves relevant criteria.
- Draft wording
- Choose concept writing or costume interpretation on the form.
- Watch for
- Judging prose against armor construction without explanation.
3. Request a concise profile
- Information to confirm
- Name, role, motivation and one distinctive conflict.
- Reason
- A focused introduction helps judges understand the design.
- Draft wording
- Submit [150 words] explaining your character’s goal and visual choices.
- Watch for
- Demanding a complete fictional encyclopedia.
4. Explain contribution disclosure
- Information to confirm
- Self-made, adapted, purchased and collaborative elements.
- Reason
- Judges should assess the work the entrant actually did.
- Draft wording
- Identify which costume elements you made, adapted or purchased.
- Watch for
- Implying every category requires wholly handmade clothing.
5. Publish the criteria
- Information to confirm
- The criteria and any confirmed weighting.
- Reason
- Entrants should understand how decisions will be reached.
- Draft wording
- Concept judging considers coherence, originality of approach and explanation.
- Watch for
- Adding secret criteria after entries close.
6. Separate deadlines and permission
- Information to confirm
- Registration, file delivery and use of submitted material.
- Reason
- Entry does not mean unrestricted reuse of a creator’s work.
- Draft wording
- Register by [May 10]; submit by [May 14]; publication permission is requested separately.
- Watch for
- Treating a submission as blanket promotional consent.
Writing Tips
Define original for this call
“A character created by the entrant, with collaborators credited” gives applicants a starting point. If shared settings or fan-created species are permitted, explain that separately. The contest can state eligibility without claiming it can prove that no similar character has ever existed.
Judge the category, not the largest costume
For concept writing, “coherence, distinctive choices and explanation” may be relevant. Costume interpretation needs its own criteria. When those categories share an event, identify them separately so a thoughtful written entry is not silently competing on the scale of its armor.
Request the profile judges can actually use
“In [150 words], explain the character’s goal, conflict and key design choice” asks for a focused introduction. A long lore archive can hide those decisions. A short defined profile helps judges compare entries and helps creators decide what matters in their presentation.
Credit contribution without devaluing every purchased piece
“List what you made, adapted, purchased or created with others” lets judges assess the relevant work honestly. A costume category may set particular conditions, but an OC concept category need not require handmade shoes. Publish the actual distinction instead of assuming one construction standard fits everything.
Make the deadline sequence visible
“Register by [date], deliver files by [date], present on [date]” describes three stages. Entrants preparing both prose and props need that sequence early. Label file formats and length limits beside the submission stage rather than hiding them in the final arrival reminder.
Ask about promotion separately
“May we publish the selected image on [named channel]?” is a specific request. Submission for judging should not be described as unlimited promotional permission. Tell creators the intended use and credit format so they can make an informed choice about publication.
Complete Invitation Examples
Fictional teaching examples: New Lantern Character Circle, Worldseed Original Character Showcase and Alder Studio, entry check-in desk are invented. The sample dates are illustrative; bracketed fields require your own confirmed details.
Formal Version
Dear [creator name],
New Lantern Character Circle invites entries for Worldseed Original Character Showcase. Choose concept writing or costume interpretation. Submit a [150-word] profile describing your original character’s goal, conflict and design choices, with collaborators credited.
Presentations take place on [5 June 2027] at [1 pm, local time] in the fictional Alder Studio, entry check-in desk, [full address]. Concept judging considers coherence, distinctive choices and explanation; request the separate costume criteria if entering that category.
Register through [contest contact] by [28 May] and deliver files by [1 June]. Describe made, adapted and purchased elements. Publication permission will be requested separately.
New Lantern Character Circle
The call separates categories, materials and dates. It asks for contribution information without falsely making every category a handmade costume contest.
Friendly Version
Hello [creator name],
Would you like to introduce your OC at Worldseed Original Character Showcase? New Lantern Character Circle welcomes concept-writing and costume-interpretation entries, using separate briefs. Start with [150 words] about your character’s goal, conflict and visual choices. Credit anyone who collaborated.
We meet at the fictional Alder Studio, entry check-in desk, [full address], on [5 June 2027] at [1 pm, local time]. Ask for your category’s criteria before preparing.
Register with [contest contact] by [28 May]; files are due [1 June]. Tell us which elements you made, adapted or purchased. Any public image use will be discussed separately.
New Lantern Character Circle
The friendly call encourages a creator to enter while pointing them to the correct brief. It does not substitute enthusiasm for category rules.
Themed / Creative Version
Creators of lives not yet lived,
Worldseed Original Character Showcase invites a glimpse of your imagined traveler: a goal, a conflict and the design choices that make them yours. New Lantern Character Circle offers concept-writing and costume-interpretation categories with separate criteria.
Bring your presentation to the fictional Alder Studio, entry check-in desk, [full address], on [5 June 2027] at [1 pm, local time]. Prepare a [150-word] profile and credit collaborators; disclose made, adapted and purchased components where relevant.
Request the category brief and register through [contest contact] by [28 May]. Files are due [1 June]. Judging submission and public image permission are separate choices.
New Lantern Character Circle
The creative opening invites a compact character idea. Category references and permission boundaries keep that invitation usable as an actual call for entries.
Common Mistakes
1. The best OC wins.
Entrants cannot infer what judges assess. Publish category-specific criteria before preparation.
Revision: Concept entries are assessed for coherence, distinctive choices and explanation.
2. All costumes must be handmade in every category.
This may impose construction rules on a writing category. Distinguish concept and craftsmanship requirements.
Revision: Request the separate concept-writing or costume-interpretation brief.
3. Send your entire world history.
A huge submission hides the character decisions judges need. Set a manageable profile length and focus.
Revision: In [150 words], explain the character’s goal, conflict and design choices.
4. Only the entrant can receive credit.
Collaborative work may be eligible but needs accurate attribution. Ask for contributions instead of erasing collaborators.
Revision: List collaborators and identify each relevant contribution.
5. Entering grants unlimited promotional use.
Judging and publication are different uses. Request a specific channel and credit arrangement separately.
Revision: Public image permission will be requested separately from judging submission.
Special Situations
Situation 1: A collaborator is added
update credits and confirm which category rules apply before judging.
Situation 2: A deadline extension is offered
announce it to all eligible entrants through the same channel rather than privately favoring one participant.
Practical Checklist
- Define eligible entries: Original-character scope and the actual audience.
- Separate the categories: Writing, costume, prop and performance divisions.
- Request a concise profile: Name, role, motivation and one distinctive conflict.
- Explain contribution disclosure: Self-made, adapted, purchased and collaborative elements.
- Publish the criteria: The criteria and any confirmed weighting.
- Separate deadlines and permission: Registration, file delivery and use of submitted material.
FAQ
What does original character mean here?
Define it in the actual call: for example, a character created by the entrant rather than an existing named character. Explain how shared settings or collaborations are treated.
Can purchased costume pieces be used?
That depends on the category. State the rule and request honest contribution details instead of assuming purchased pieces invalidate every kind of entry.
How long should the character profile be?
Choose a limit judges can realistically review and publish it before entry. Ask for motivation and design choices rather than exhaustive lore.
Should judging weights be published?
If weights are used, publish them before submissions. If the process is qualitative, describe the criteria and decision method plainly.
May the organizer post entry images?
Ask for the relevant publication permission separately and explain the intended channel. Do not assume submitting for judging authorizes public promotion.
What if a prop is not approved?
Explain whether the entrant can use photographs or enter a different permitted category. Do not promise an alternative that judges and organizers have not agreed.