Competition » 2024 Non-Pony Writing Contest · 2:08am Jun 16th, 2024
Or, Fantastic Creatures And How To Write Fanfic Of Them!
Hey, everyone!
So it's been since 2020 that I was last able to actually help co-host a contest. I've been a judge in a few since then, but for the most part I took a hiatus from the site. But now I'm back, and I thought to myself: What better way to come back than to host a fun competition? So that's exactly what I'm doing!
Introducing...
Fantastic Creatures And How To Write Fanfic Of Them
A 2024 Non-Pony Competition!
Click the adorable kirin for a surprise...
No doubt, the most popular aspect of My Little Pony is, well, the ponies! And for good reason. The main characters are all ponies (sorry, Spike), and even a few of the villains have been their fellow ponies. What gets lost in that is just how fantastical the world of MLP truly is, especially Friendship is Magic. There are so many different species that have gotten their share of the limelight at one time or another. Dragons, changelings, buffalo, yaks, kirin, griffons, hippogriffs, even creatures like the breezies and parasprites! And yet, even with all of these amazing species at our disposal, most stories still tend to just focus on the equines of Equestria.
I want to change that. So for this contest, my challenge to all of you is to write a story starring only non-pony characters. I want to see you guys write about all of the creatures who have had to play second fiddle to ponies for far too long! It's high time that the other species of Equestria got their time in the sun. Whether it be a comedy about the kirin, or a love story featuring some dragons, anything goes here so long as you abide by the "no pony" rule.
Now, with that introduction out of the way, how about we get down to brass tax?
Da Rules
- The main characters of your story MUST be members of a species other than pony. You can have as many different characters/species starring as you'd like, but none can be a pony.
- No humans or HiE stories allowed. This contest is all about giving the spotlight to other creatures that already exist in the world of My Little Pony.
- Your story must take place in one of the main versions of Equestria. I don't mind if that is G4 or G5. Parallel universes such as Canterlot High are not allowed.
- The highest rating allowed for your story is "Teen". If you truly feel your story needs a "Mature" rating to be allowed on the site, please reach out to myself or one of the other judges and we'll discuss it with you.
- Your story can be any genre so long as it adheres to every other rule.
- There's no minimum word count, but the maximum word count is going to be 12,000 words. Please don't let your story exceed this amount. This should be enough to write something pretty engaging.
- It must be a new story, published on or after July 1st, 2024 (7/1/24).
- You may submit up to three entries, but only your highest-ranked entry will be considered when judging.
- All entries must be added to The 2024 Non-Pony Contest Group!
- The contest will run from July 1st to July 31st, 2024. It will end at 11:59PM EST on the final day. Any submissions made after this point will be disqualified.
- UPDATED END DATE: AUGUST 31ST, 2024.
Easy enough, I hope! Now, obviously with such an expansive list of species to pick from, I'm hoping to see some great variety! I know for a fact that with a site full of talented authors like this, you guys will submit some absolutely awesome works! Not to mention, it could be someone's chance to write non-ponies for the first time!
Now, back to some more brass tax!
The four of us will be going over every story in great detail using a rigorous judging process I've devised. If you'd like to know that process, read below!
All stories submitted will be judged based on the following metrics:
- Spelling/Grammar. Is your story free of mistakes and errors?
- Flow. How does your story actually feel? Is it cohesive, or does it feel rushed or stagnant?
- Characterization. How well do you write the canonized characters?
- Impact. In other words, does your story live up to its tags and leave an impact befitting of the genre you chose?
- Personal Score. What would the judges rank your story, out of five?
All criteria will be judged on a scale going up to five, for a total of 25 possible points. Each story will be read by all four judges so as to remove the element of biases causing a score to potentially be lower than it could be. Averages are fun, y'all, and we'll be averaging that 100 possible points down to that final 25.
Oh, and one more thing! Prizes!
FIRST PRIZE: $75
SECOND PRIZE: $50
THIRD PRIZE: $25
That's it for this blog, hope to see some great stories posted! Love you all and good luck to everyone!
Sounds like fun!
Muggonny pride sitewide
A question, do you count thestrals as ponies? Kirin themselves are pony-like, but not as much as bat-ponies.
5786593
Edit: Bat ponies are allowed as they do stand out from regular ponies much like the Kirin and never got any spotlight.
derpicdn.net/img/view/2021/1/16/2531296.png
Alas. Hopefully some inspiration will strike though!
5786594
But isn't Kirin just a reskin of a unicorn. They feel like that tbh.
Are hybrid allowed(between the non-pony species).
What about mentioning pony characters if they family?
5786598
Ponies are fine as side characters or being mentioned. The main focus of the story has to be on non-ponies, is all.
I'll say hybrids are allowed. As far as Kirin vs. Bat Ponies, we believe that Kirin have enough unique abilities and features to make them distinct from ponies, but you do raise a good point. I'll allow bat ponies because they're distinct enough to stand out from a normal pony in the same way a Kirin does and never really got the spotlight they should have, which is the spirit of this contest.
5786601
You should edit the previous answer to avoid people not scrolling down and getting misinformed.
Some other things to consider:
How about a story in which one of the show's pony characters (Rarity for example) turns out to be of a different species altogether? She may not know it, or she knew it and has been keeping it a secret all this time. I believe we have a lot of stories like that early in the fandom after the changelings were introduced. Take Change or Princess Celestia: The Changeling Queen for examples.
What about the case a nonpony transforms/get transformed into a pony and lives throughout the story as a pony? A slice-of-life story about a changeling living every day basically as a pony, vs a story about a changeling spy trying to navigate pony society to accomplish their mission, those are very different levels of "nonpony".
Conversely, what about a pony getting transformed into a different species? The whole story may happen with them just basically living their old life, but as a different species (take Magical Mystery Oops) or them having to live in the other species's world entirely, experiencing a different society and culture (Of the Hive as an example).
Can't write anything myself, never had the talent, but I feel necessary to point out that "pony" is actually a broadly defined thing there in Equestria. Many of them are similar in some way. Thus, I believe that defining it as the combination of earth ponies, unicorns and pegasi is necessary (maybe plus bat ponies because they're too similar to ponies)
Also, ever noticed that the unicorn breed which Mistmane belongs to has a curved horn? And the Saddle Arabian ponies look quite similar to earth ponies except that they are like horses, too? Do those count as separate species? Should they be treated in the same way bat ponies are in this contest?
Also if one of the main ponies get a change of species and turns into another, should that be valid? Or are only creatures who exist in thoses forms already are qualified?
Just saying, but a list should probably be made on which creatures qualify and which do not.
Just pointing out a few things that are worth considering.
Is it allowed to set the story in a pony-dominated city like Canterlot and have non-pony characters, such as changelings, interact with ponies?
5786603
I'd say something like this is fine and within the rules because they are in fact not actually a pony and we'd still be getting a story from a unique perspective.
This would be fine as well because at the end of the day, changelings can transform into anything and it wouldn't be fair to disqualify a story featuring them just because they're using an ability that sets them apart in the lore. It does need to be clear they're a changeling, though.
I actually knew exactly what Magical Mystery Oops was, it's one of my favorite stories. As long as they spend the vast majority of the story as the other species, I'd say it is fine, but given the 12,000 word limit this one feels like it could be tougher to pull off because these sorts of stories typically work better as long-form ones. But who knows, anything is possible!
You're right in saying there are many different levels to this. At the end of the day, as long as your main character isn't the standard alicorn, unicorn, pegasus, or earth pony, you should be good to go. But if anyone does have questions about a specific prompt, please do run it by us.
5786604
You're correct, so as stated above the ones barred from use are alicorns, unicorns, pegasi, and earth ponies. As far as ponies like the Saddle Arabians or Mistmane, I'd say no. Sombra has the same horn feature as her and was classed as a unicorn by Celestia, and the Saddle Arabians appear to just be taller, lankier earth ponies, much like Hoo'Far who was a taller, lankier unicorn in the episode Road to Friendship. I'd say the difference with Kirin and Bat Ponies is they have enough unique features and/or abilities to make them stand out, and in the case of Bat Ponies are exceedingly rare.
Realistically so long as you avoid your standard alicorn, unicorn, pegasi, and earth ponies you should be fine. But again, if you're curious, just run it by us via DM or in the group forum post I've created.
5786605
Yes, the story can be set anywhere in Equestria so long as it adheres to the main character rule.
can i write about turkey-hawks?
5786610
Hey man if you can make a story about a turkey-hawk (vulture) work then I'll be thoroughly impressed haha. Yes, vultures exist in the show, one was a pet candidate in May the Best Pet Win.
Time to shine with more Dragon stories!!!🐉
Though will bad language be allowed for this entry?
WRITE HIPPOGRIFFS YOU NERDS GIVE ME MY BIRB FIX
(actually write what you want but you will make me happy if you do write birb
)
5786611
Actually the movie introduced a lot of new creatures, among them are bird-like creatures, so I wouldn't be surprised to have stories about vulture pirates.
Although I'm concerned that some stories may go too far outside the regular Equestria world and characters that they wouldn't resemble FIM fanfics.
Can the protagonists be original characters?
Ooh, very interesting! I know the rules aren't the same, but in spirit this reminds me of the "Outside Insight" contest that EQD ran about a decade ago,¹ and of which I have fond memories as it produced a bunch of really interesting fics. Hoping this one goes the same way! Whether I actually write for it is another question, but we'll see. Good luck with this!
¹ For those who weren't there, that one was basically "Write about ponies from the POV of a non-pony."
Sweet Celestia, you people are trying to choke me with all the summer contests, huh? If you wanted to torture me, I'd think you could namedrop me first!
I kid, I kid. I do want to write for this, as it looks interesting and it'll give me some good writing practice, so hopefully I can find the time.
5786621
Yes, original characters are allowed so long as they meet the species requirements.
Sorry to ask, but I just want to clarify something. I may have an idea for a short story. Anyway my inquiry:
This isn't the prompt I want to use but is similar enough that it should answer my question. Say I wanted to write about a dragon going on a journey, and at the end of the journey in my story they arrive at Twilight's Palace and all of Twilight's friends are there. There is a little bit with them interacting with my dragon, but it's basically only for a short sorta epilogue and they are in NO way main characters, but it IS them and they do get screen time.
Like I want to assume that'd be fine, but I'd rather ask first and find out for certain. ^^;
5786708
That would be totally fine.
Pondering the possibility of entering this. Got an idea, but I dunno if I like it enough to run with it.
One question, though: If a changeling were disguised as a pony and nobody – readers included – knew it was a changeling until, say, the climax, would that be a problem for the rules? I mean, technically it's not a pony but it would seem to be one so it feels like cheating.
5786744
So this is actually a really good question. I've conferred with my fellow judges and the conclusion we've come to is that in the event of the main character being a changeling, if they're disguising themselves as a pony then it needs to be relevant to the plot and be addressed enough.
Now, if you throw other main characters into the mix that aren't ponies, we'd be talking about something entirely different because we'd at least have some non-ponies to focus on while the changeling is in disguise to both the characters and the reader. But if it's just a changeling disguised as a pony with no real indication of such until the end, and they're only surrounded by other ponies, that would likely either get your story disqualified or you'd receive a point deduction.
We do all realize that a major part of what makes the changelings special is their ability to transform, but when it comes to a contest excluding the primary pony races, the focus should be on them as a changeling first and foremost. This contest is all about shining a spotlight on some of the more underappreciated and overlooked species in the show, so having 90% of the story be them as a pony interacting with other ponies would defeat the purpose of that unless the reader is made aware.
5786757
Fair enough. I don't even know if it was something that I'd do with my story, but it was a potential angle I could take so I figured it would be worth asking just in case.
5786759
If it does help, I've gone ahead and made a guide in the group:
Species Guide
Is there any limits on when the story can take place? For example, if a story is set in the past during the time of Star Swirl and the pillars?
5786766
Any time period is totally fine!
5786611
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/547989/4/ofimetrelicia/drygut-solitary-i
This is my fic. Take a look and tell me if it fits what you're looking for. I wrote it more for Father's Day, but oh well... long live the turkey-hawks!
What's your stance on blood/gore? I'd guess it's okay if it fits into the [Teen] rating, but it's better to clear this up anyway.
5786893
Yeah if it fits into Teen I'm totally fine with it. I realize for some genres like Horror and Tragedy there may need to be some. If the story does end up having to be Mature per the mods, just shoot it to one of us and we can let you know if we'd accept it :)
Yeah dang I'm actually getting sort of excited now.
I'll probably space out the time that I spend writing, though.
5786594
But I will write a story for this, Sev.
I will.
If I want to write a story that's about nonponies, BUT I want to AU one character (who in canon was a pony) into a NONPONY to help my story work better as a story...
is that considered every bit as good (as suitable) as a story about canon nonponies, or is it LESS good?
Note: I HATE how touching the wrong button leaves an empty comment, and if I delete that empty comment IMMEDIATELY I guess we'll just have a 'Mockingbirb's comment was deleted' FOREVER...
5786987
This is the best news of the day!!!
5787014
That's totally fine and doesn't violate any rules!
5787042
Danks. Batpony loophole go brrrrr.
I think I can only count about two stories where a Parasprite is a main character and I think both stories are from all the way back in 2012. Their very mention in this contest can help give them some love!
5787088
My friend wrote one that was a displaced where she woke up as one lol
5787141
Are you referring to the story called "Human in Parasprite"? That one is a real oldie that was sadly only a oneshot lol.
5787146
Yes! She's my best friend to this day, I can't wait to show her this comment AHAHAHA
5787147
Well, tell her that to this day her decade+ story is STILL one of the few stories on the site that features a non-pony former human that's not a Dragon, Griffin, Changeling, and whatever! Maybe she can write a 100k sequel where Queen Sexy Bitch tries to take over the world! xD
Al diablo el dinero, esto suena interesante jajaja
5787146
gotta say, my friend telling me someone remembers my dumbass fic after over a decade was something, lol! I haven't written pony fic in a long time, so I plan to keep it a one-shot sadly. But I'm sure Queen Sexy Bitch would have no issues taking over the world, if she puts her mind to it :)
5786594
What about donkeys and zebras? Are they too equine or are they welcome because they need more spotlight?
5787163
They're allowed. I actually posted a list in the group linked in the blog post, so check the forums there :)
I've been meaning to write a pregnancy story about Zecora, eventually. I guess I'll see if this gets me going towards that goal.
5787159
Eh that's understandable. You could possibly make Lucky Seven do it instead if you want :p
I'm just playing! I would write it myself but I don't have the writing skills for it. Still one can only dream out it! And actually, I known the fic for....I'll say half of the timespan the original fic came out? Idk, I was looking through Human turned into different species fics and that one caught my eye because it was of an exotic creature and not one of the mainline races.
5787170
Thanks for the reminder about how thoroughly hidden the forum tab is in groups.
Here's the link for the questionable species FAQ, for anyone else reading.
Now I have a question- I have a running bit where I change my spelling of Griphon every time the word Gryffon appears in chapter. Would that lose me points in this challenge?
i.pinimg.com/originals/79/35/91/793591731f4dd1ecb7d8d4bb2284cdce.jpg