Competition » (Un)Happy New Yuri Contest · 3:51pm Dec 7th, 2024
(Un)Happy New Yuri Contest
This is peak doomed yuri.
Christmas, that time of the year when, just like St. Valentine’s day, love is in the air. Platonic love, perhaps, but still. And when love is involved, complicated feelings arise, and drama unfolds. In spite of this, the number of shipfics that are fluffy, sweet, traditional and where everything goes smoothly in the end is countless.
Christmas, just like the average shipfic, is fraught with all that sappy stuff: hugs, kisses under the mistletoe, Santa and his gifts.
However, for every Santa, there is a Krampus, right?
What does this entail then? What is the theme or the prompt to write about?
This is a contest for less than ideal types of Yuri ships. The kind that most people shy away from writing, thinking 'who would want to read something like that?'. Unbeknownst to them, this is where character writing shines the most. Writing something that works is easy (as “easy” as writing anything at all is, at least), but writing something that shouldn’t or doesn’t work at all and yet still works?
That’s the spirit of this contest - a counterweight to the regular festivities.
And why Yuri? Because lesbian horses and humans are awesome and deserve their own spotlight, even in a not so joyful light. Also cause some of the most popular ships in the fandom consist of, well, Yuri. The pun in the title definitely didn’t have anything to do with that, promise.
General rules
These are the general rules, which may experience changes and revisions during the course of the contest if the need arises (although we do not expect they will). The rules are as follows:
- Only one entry per participant.
- In plain terms, the story has to be about a romantic relationship between female characters.
- No entries may be published before the official start of the contest (10th December 12:01 AM PDT) or after the cutoff (15th January 11:59 PM PDT). But you can start writing as soon as this announcement is posted.
- If your entry is awaiting approval on the queue, you may notify the contest hosts as well as provide a password for the story in case it won't make it in time.
- Maximum length of the story is 10k words. Anything longer will be considered invalid as a submission. Stories must be at least 1000 words as imposed by the site.
- Editors and proofreaders are allowed, barring the judges of course.
- No usage of machine learning algorithms is allowed, for writing, editing, brainstorming, or anything else outside the scope of regular spell checking tools.
- Collaboration and co-authorship is not allowed.
- Allowed settings are: G4, Equestria Girls, G5.
- OCs as main characters are not allowed.
- AUs are allowed. However, no prequels or base materials will be considered in the judging, so the submitted story shall stand on its own.
- Stories can have any rating.
The following is not allowed:
- anon, HiE, PoE, or self-inserts
- porn or fetish stories
- (explicit or not) incest, foalcon, non-con
- anthro
- crossovers
- While abusive relationships and unhealthy themes/subjects are expected, there are some boundaries we have to establish to prevent an angst overload. Tread carefully and handle those sensitive topics with care. Justifying or romanticizing a genuinely abusive relationship is a step too far
- Any prize may be exchanged for “special prize” (see below). If the author does so, the monetary value will be distributed equally among all other winners.
- In order to qualify, the story must be submitted to the group here and include both the category of yuri it is submitted under, and also a secret phrase that will be somewhere in this announcement so as to ensure you have fully read the rules and everything.
- If you are the user ‘Artist’, don’t bother entering; You are disqualified automatically.
Judges
As opposed to past contests held by me, the judge pool in this one will be disclosed from the get go. Play to their personal tastes as you may, they are bias-proof! Or I will ensure they are, at least.
Note: A minimum of 4 judges is guaranteed, accounting for cancellations and dropouts.
The List of Incredible Judges
TheSmokinguy
Literally Octavia.6-D Pegasus
He’s being taught how to soar. Will nibbl you.Soaring
Only writes HiE. Can totes be trusted.Koii
Lover of sad and tragic gay horses. Also literally Trixie.MorganaTheNotCat
Startrix enjoyer and avid lover for cute things.PseudoBob
Explosive author of gimmicky stories.Silk Rose
Serial Mane 6 shipper. Pinkie Pie lover.Buck Swisher
The actual coolest judge.
Categories and rewards
Beyond the theme of the contest as stated above, there is no specific topic or prompt every entry must follow to qualify. Instead, it must be encased in any of the following (un)happy yuri categories:
- Doomed Yuri: A relationship that is not bound to last or to end well for the parties involved.
- Toxic Yuri: They are bad for each other, and down bad for each other.
- Unrequited Yuri: When feelings don’t go both ways. If you know what unrequited love is, you know what this is about.
- Yin-Yang Yuri: A relationship between two characters that seem like total opposites but somehow it works. Pretty much crackshipping.
As the categories can overlap and most likely will, provided that every entry is properly categorized to reflect this there should be no problem. However, as every individual category will be judged according to what’s expected from it, the more you use, the more boxes it will have to check in order to get the highest score it can. But the more complicated the relationships depicted as a result from that combination of categories, the higher the score will be if it manages to stick the landing!
Additionally, if the story is set during the Hearth's Warming or is holiday themed, and it gets a place in the podium or as a judge pick, it will earn a bonus prize!
While I said the thing about sappy stuff earlier, submissions are allowed to have a happy ending. But it must be earned. This is a contest about complicated relationships, and thus some hiccups on the way are to be expected.
The rewards scale with the total number of participants. All dollar amounts are in USD. The standard payment method will be paypal, but other alternatives can be entertained if need be. I personally will be responsible for handing out the rewards in a private manner. The prize list is as follows:
Additionally, every podium finalist will be posted on the main page of the group, and any eligible contestant who did not receive a prize can claim a 100-word mini-review of their story if they wish. By the way, the secret phrase is “Pet the Koi”.
Special prizes
Any winner can exchange their prize for one of the special prizes (until capacity lasts). If a win is thus forfeit, the money will be distributed equally among all other winners. The list of special prizes is as follows:
- Youtube reading of the submitted story, courtesy of The Legendary Bill Cipher (TO BE YET CONFIRMED).
- Art piece based on the submitted story, courtesy of ButterScotch.
- Free story with Cover art, courtesy of Silk Rose.
To sum up:
Start and end: 10th December 12:01 AM PDT - 15th January 11:59 PM PDT
List of categories:
1 Doomed Yuri.
2 Toxic Yuri
3 Unrequited Yuri
4 Yin-Yang Yuri
Additional prize for being set during Hearth’s Warming, or generally holiday themed.
And that's about it! Any questions please ask in the comments section below or alternatively send me a PM here or via discord, whatever floats your boat.
We are beyond excited to see how this goes, good luck!
Art magnanimously bestowed by the ever so talented ButteScotch.
Woohoo! Toxic horse yuri my beloved!
derpicdn.net/img/2015/9/13/978722/full.gif
I'd like to write a story about a lesbian couple where one of the mares gets pregnant somehow and destroys their relationship, but I guess this would fall afoul of rule 13 and its no fetish clause.
What did Artist do?
On 13.1; what does "PoE" mean in this context? As a sometimes Path of Exile player I am blanking on other translations of the acronym.
5819877
'Ponies on Earth" basically the counterpart to HiE
Maybe worth an entry in the linked FAQ above
What about relationships were the two constantly physically fight,(Not to hurt each other but to vent) but are in love with one another but without realizing that they love each other? Like they fight but at the end of the night, they fall asleep in the same bed together and hug?
5819875
Artist has proven to be toxic basically anywhere she goes, and has also failed to ever take any criticism of her writing as anything other than a personal offense. Doubt she would have entered this contest anyway, but it’s there as a precaution. We don’t wanna deal with that.
5819865
Butterscotch my beloved!
Merry Christmas
images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/e4359fb6-a2d8-43dc-b2a7-35f8cee1720b/d8b1658-68cb6308-daaa-45fe-82d1-b3ac73e719c7.jpg/v1/fit/w_828,h_586,q_70,strp/2014_mlp_merry_christmas_by_seer45_d8b1658-414w-2x.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9NzI1IiwicGF0aCI6IlwvZlwvZTQzNTlmYjYtYTJkOC00M2RjLWIyYTctMzVmOGNlZTE3MjBiXC9kOGIxNjU4LTY4Y2I2MzA4LWRhYWEtNDVmZS04MmQxLWIzYWM3M2U3MTljNy5qcGciLCJ3aWR0aCI6Ijw9MTAyNCJ9XV0sImF1ZCI6WyJ1cm46c2VydmljZTppbWFnZS5vcGVyYXRpb25zIl19.ZMd1sEAJB9pKsHTxQQcGE2TWHaQwOKW2CfqIkxJgHoA
5819875
if you ask me, i would believe you can write about a pony getting pregnant without it being rooted in fetish. in your case, particularly with your story catalogue, the judges may look at your story as a fetish-driven work, but i personally would let it fly as long as the story itself was not sexual in nature. either way, i don't see why you couldn't still write for the contest! even if it wouldn't be accepted, i think it's a fun prompt to work with
UPDATE: Deadline has been extended to the 31th of January. Furthermore, the final prize pool for more than 30 participants has been increased by 60$!
5819897
5819875
For specific instances such as these two, I will get back to you two before the contest start to clarify. Because that's a fine line to tread, but even then I want the consensus of all the judges on this.
5819880
Thanks. It clicked as I was opening up FiMFiction to see if someone had replied and I felt really dumb.
To clarify on rule 16: does this phrase need to be in the story itself or just in the description?
I doubt it would be easy to work something like that into a proper story...
5819977
The target category(s) and secret phrase should go in the long description of the story, so we can easily find this information later.
5820010
What happened to her?
5820026
This post explains it quite nicely: 5819902
Also, Artist blocked me after I pointed out that her fic was AI-written, so let's say I don't respect her very much.
5820049
Okey 👍
5820049
Of course she did 😂
what ist hat picture from
So is this a contest, or an excuse to soapbox about a user we don't like? Frankly, there was literally no reason to include the rule calling out Artist. If they are really going to be a problem, I'd bet you twenty bucks that this wouldn't make them stop. If they weren't going to bother to begin with, then it's yelling at someone who literally nobody was going to talk about. It's schizo, in other words, and it'd best if we knocked this off sooner rather than later.
And yes, I read the essays people posted about them here. Spoiler alert, the essays did not change the fact that contests should be about, you know, horse fanfiction. And last I checked, there was never an episode of MLP where Rainbow Dash or whoever turned to the screen to start whining about a user on here.
5820469
She's not gonna fuck you, bro.
5820469
I'm gonna refer to your bio and assume this is satire. It's satire, right?
Surely you didn't come here just to defend someone who doesn't know you... and won't let you hit... come on man
5820548
Tbh I didn't even know there was "Drama" until I saw her profile change to something about being bullied off fimfic. I cant lie, I read like one of her stories and yeah it sounded like that stuff where its all gibberish. I don't have a problem with people posting stuff they come up with, even if it's nonsensical but If your being rude to other people who don't like your stuff then maybe you gotta re-evaluate or sum? P.S HI Buck
5820519
Crazy, we on the same wavelength you my twin or sum?
5820519
5820548
Well, putting aside the fact that you two have a weird, incel-like obsession with sex; if this how the site is going to be, well forget what I said and count me in. I'll gladly join in on this trend, time to make blog posts to talk about everyone I don't like at great length. Surely, I won't get in trouble for this. It'll be just as okay for me to get on my soapbox as it is for whoever wrote this to do the same, right?
5820469
Sir, this is a contest. It says in the title. And I know for a fact you'll never participate in it since you don't write but w/e. Here's my response for you.
Yes, there literally is a reason for this as Artist continually becomes abrasive and whiny whenever something doesn't go her way. I'm sorry that you're here to defend someone who could easily speak for herself here as it's a site blog, but w/e.
Thanks for the free twenty dollars that you won't give because it's actually Monopoly money.
Look in the mirror. Also, ironic.
And... double ironic.
Last I checked, you're the same guy who defended BradyBunch after he got exposed. I don't think you get to say anything like this without being told, once again, to look in the mirror. Stop projecting, Mr. Incel.
5820655
Someone had to say it, right?
5820559
What's up homie! And yeah, she does. Interesting that she has people like Gale Maze here to speak on her behalf.
5820435
Hullo! Koii here!
If you're talking about the Fujino and Kyomoto, then it's from Instagram and drawn by a fantastic artist! We're using them here as our grabbing image because the story they're both from is heartwrenchingly beautiful and incredible to read. I highly recommend their story, Look Back!
If you mean the one at the bottom, with Trixie and Starlight, it's from our incredible friend (and resident artist~): ButterScotch! It's a smol doodle they did for free! But no worries, we throw enough money at her for her to buy a yacht.
You can check them out at Ko-Fi and even on here!
Make sure to give them some love if you like their work!
5820655
Hey man! Whaddya have against people who don't write? 😔
5820685
whats look back?
5820655
I'm going to just point out the facts that:
1. Whenever someone you disagree with writes anything, you call it an essay, so nice attempt at baiting me into opening myself up to that one. Not.
2. You leftists don't get accused of projecting(which is "no u" but for pseudointellectual redditors) whenever you do the exact same "only incels think about sex" rhetoric. Yet, here you are magically deciding that no, that's not okay to say anymore, because... because it just ISN'T okay?!
And I'm gonna leave it at that. Stay crumbless.
5820694
I have no problem with that. I just have a problem with Gale Maze not giving me my Monopoly money!
5820776
1. You just fell for the bait by responding to it. You're so predictable!
2. I'm not a leftist dude, and please stop projecting your incel fantasies onto me.
5820780
What is it with this guy and leftists 🤣
5820776
Why are you making this political lmao
5820780
Soaring marry me m8 (example of projection)
Jokes aside, we still holding this convo after like 3 days?
Does the "no non-con" rule stretch as far as any instance of sexual or romantic interactions where consent might be dubious, or is it strictly referring to SA? As, say, in a 'toxic' relationship, a partner trying to seduce another, who is attracted to her and does enjoy what is happening to a degree but also realises it's ultimately unhealthy and bad for her, would likely do things that may qualify as as non-con by the broader definition, or be manipulative to a degree. Similarly, any instance of two partners being together while intoxicated to a degree could be argued to count as non-con, but two characters getting drunk at a party, fooling around with each other, and realising it can't work out when they're sober doesn't seem like an unreasonable setup. I understand it's ultimately up to judge discretion, however even going by the FAQ it seems there are things that would qualify for the contest but would also require the tag if one was to fairly advertise to the audience what the story contains.
Two questions, one for rule clarification, one regarding prizes
1) Does it count as foalcon if the characters began their relationship while they were in their mid-late teens and break up as adults?
2) Can we ask that a monetary prize be donated to a non-profit organization (within reason) instead of accepting it ourselves or taking one of the "Special Prizes"?
Edit: Actually, a third question (spoilering to try and keep the premise of my idea semi-under wraps)
3) Do the relationships portrayed actually have to be toxic or "bad" for the characters in some way, or can dealing with the aftermath of an otherwise-happy relationship breaking down be an acceptable premise?
5820914
Respectively:
1) Foalcon is sexual content involving non-adult ponies. If there isn't any of that in the story, you're good.
2) Sure.
3) Toxic Yuri is only one of four categories, so they don't all have to be toxic. What you've described there sounds more like Doomed Yuri.
5820900
Dubcon doesn't have a tag and is naturally hard to categorize, so I don't think we can make a ruling on it without more detail. But from what other judges have told me, “two characters getting drunk at a party, fooling around with each other, and realising it can't work out when they're sober” would be acceptable.
I am appalled that I am not allowed to submit my story, "Applejack Spends Three Thousand Words Opening a Can of Sweetcorn: A Poop-And-Pee-Pee Fetish Adventure," published in 2012, to this competition, even though it has absolutely nothing to do with the contest's criteria.
Unbelievable. Simply unbelievable.
Question about the Unrequited Yuri section: are stories where a character is in love with someone who is in a happy relationship permitted?
5821628
As that's well in the spirit of unrequited love, the answer is yes
Could someone explain how yin-yang is supposed to work? That just seems like a normal shipping story to me
Are multi-chapter stories allowed, so long as the word count for the overall story clocks in at 10k or less?
5823511
Yes.
Would dubious consent work in the doomed Yuri? Or does it have to go further than that?