ANNOUNCING: CategoricalGrant's 2021 Cuddlefic Contest! · 3:25am Apr 27th, 2021
Been a rough year, boys and girls. I need your beautiful horse snuggle-words, and so it's time to officially announce my 2021 CUDDLEFIC CONTEST. If you aren't yet a member of the contest group, please join it at this link!
First, second, and third place prizes are first, second, and third pick of the following:
$50 USD (wow, glimmer!)
A short story based on your premise from moi
A YCH bid up to $15 for your OC or fav character
(I reserve the right to reduce the total # of prizes if less than 10 entries are submitted.)
JUDGING:
I have found some illustrious friends to help me judge, including:
Jake The Army Guy, multi-time judger of this very contest(multi-track drifting!) and all-around based and scary sergeant-man. I think he won some sort of Bronycon talent show once... 
B_25, a scary snapback-wearing dragon who at one point was posting like 3 featured stories a day and making me feel bad about myself...
And Moosetasm, a convention bro, a man who has become a dear friend to me through unclear mechanisms, and is the only one who understands my stories' obscure sci-fi references. He was also a winner last time around, so there's that.
And also me. Because I'm putting up the $50. Ever notice there's a GRANT on that bill? 
Stories will be judged on four categories: Cuddle quality, Story, Grammar/Mechanics, and Overall Enjoyability.
RULES:
1. Stories must be written specifically for the contest and indicated as such in the description. Feel free to otherwise post and promote as you'd like.
2. Stories must be submitted to the 2021 Contest folder in the CONTEST GROUP no later than 11:59pm CST on June 15, in the Year of our Lord 2021.
3. No Clop/Explicit Sexual content is allowed. Drugs, language, mild suggestive themes and gore are okay (I guess?)...but remember this is a cuddlefic contest you're writing for!
4. In addition to being focused primarily on the subject of cuddling/snuggling, I also require you to write towards at least one of the following prompts. They are broad and you shouldn't have any trouble...If you want to meet more than one prompt for fun, go for it!
A) Write my OC Wave Function (Purple coated, orange and black-maned unicorn doctor) into your story. He doesn't have to play a big part in the story. In fact, he doesn't even have to talk, as long as I know it's him. He's lurking inside a few of my stories, if you'd like more info. 
B) Write to fit one of the general plots listed below (note that these can be peripheral criteria and don't have to be the main thrust of your story):
I) Old enemies come to a new understanding with each other
II) Cosplay plays a role in an interesting situation
III) Your pony friend(s) is/are very disappointed in you
IV) Somepony tries to overthrow the government. Sic semper tyrannis!
C) Include one of the cringe-inducing lines below in your story:
I) "Aww, are you going to kiss my hoofsies?"
II) "C-careful, my ears/horn/wings/neck is/are sensitive!"
III) "This is where the fun begins!"
IV) "If you touch me, I'm going to puke and then die."
5. I recommend a 10k word limit to make it easier on the judges and myself, but this isn't a hard and fast rule.
6. That's it...I think. Read the above again if instructions are unclear.
And...That's it. Remember, June 15 is the date! I'll be reposting these rules in the group forum. Updates to follow as necessary.
Happy writing! Remember: horses are for hugs!
FYI, grants can be taxed, so you may want to make them into a personal gift, of which you are allowed a certain amount per year, or a very large one once per lifetime, according to US tax codes.
5507603
If the government tries to tax ME, well...that’s why I got these cool night-vision goggles
One of these things is not like the others...
I feel kind of obligated to write for this one since I had to turn down judgeship, so we'll see what happens.
5507608
U better, I’m looking forward to it
I like this.
But I have a very important question: What do you predict your author-engagement rating to be? That is, out of all the people who read this and could make a competent entry, how many will?
This may seem like a strange question, but it's important for reasons.
Yeeeees! Oh my gosh I am so excited for this contest
For the sake of clarity, what is this contest's stance on cuddling technicolor hominids?
This is so awesome! Btw, broski, if you decide you need another judge, I'd love to help out! If not, totally cool and I'll just enter the contest myself!
Been searching for an excuse to get back into Pony fic, this might be it...
I...may or may not actually take this up.
5507638
Like 10%. It's low. Previous years have gotten like 10-20 total entries!
I have some questions:
1. Is Human/Pony cuddling a viable option?
2. What about Changeling cuddles?
3. Any specific word count minimum/maximum limit?
Hm. I’ll give it a shot.
5507655
The champion r e t u r n s
5507680
I shall allow it.
5507682
I would actually love to see what you have to cook up!
5507812
1 and 2) Yes.
3) As in the rules, there's a soft 10k upper limit. Otherwise, just meet fimfiction rules for posting!
5507987
Good to know! Thanks!
I think I'm starting to get an idea. I'd be interested in participating
Also, not saying that I'll end up doing it, but what'll happen in the case of duplicates? Cause, a part of me's worried that someone else might have my idea.
I can’t write to save my life but I love the stories
5508075
I’m sure there wont be duplicates!
5508134
The task is only impossible because you have deemed it such!
5507788
You totes should! Your stories are great!
By the way, do you have a story about your oc, or a brief description?
5508168
Oh I tried, made a cringefic that I just had to bury
Another question: I notice a lot of your cuddlefics consist of guy and lady cuddling. Would you be alright with entries to the contest consisting of ladies cuddling ladies?
5508228
Don't worry, I got ideas! Thanks for the support!
...I just needed to drag myself out of hibernation. Was burned out from Pony a bit honestly.
I have an idea... now if I just remember to write and enter...
Do I get extra points for using all four prompts?
5508530
Ya don’t but it’ll be fun!
5508655 Ha ha, yeah I imagine it would be.
I should be able to whip something up.
B and Famous judging?
Time to enter :)
5510232
Okay now THIS has got me excited 👀 👀 👀
I wasnt even aware of this existing. I'll give it a go
5535925
Nice! Can't wait to see your entry!