We interrupt this regularly schedule blog day for an important announcement. How many of you like that movie, the Dark Crystal?
Okay, I thought there would be a few of you. Now, how many of you would like to write a Dark Crystal novel and make your writing debut?
That’s what the Jim Henson crew is offering. Whether published or not, you now have a chance to compete to write a Dark Crystal novel. Check out the details more specifically on this site.
The idea is you write a “7,500-10,000 words that represent the story you would tell in a full-length Dark Crystal novel.” The deadline is between October 1 and December 31, 2013. They want the final novel to be somewhere in the 50,000 range, so try and make yourself a nice, tight-knit story.
They’ll also be posting all of the lore and world details on DarkCrystal.com, but all the creativity is up to you.
What do you think my hearties? That many words is about 14-18 pages, depending on your spacing, font, etc. We’ve got until October. I guess my thinking is why not? What better exposure for your work than writing the new Dark Crystal novel? And even if you don’t make it, it’s good practice, especially if you’ve been laboring on the same novel for years (like me).
I’m going to check out the website and see if I become inspired. We’ve got this peeps!
UPDATE: Thanks to a few good writing cohorts, I was made aware of this blog post. Now, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. If you are published with the Henson company name, I’m sure agents and publishers will be clamoring for your next book. But it’s good to know exactly what you’re getting into. I guess this contest is much like the Amazon one when it comes to rights, but read this post carefully before you submit. Also the official RULES.
Lit and Scribbles with Jae 
PODLINGS!!!! I LOVE PODLINGS!!!! MY SON LOOKED LIKE A PODLING WHEN HE WAS A BABY!!!!!
I mean- This sounds interesting and worth considering.
Aaw, so professional at the end. 😉 I know, geeking out. Well, until the rules update. Now I’m still geeking out, but cautiously considering.
A dash of professionalism goes a long way to make up for the geek slobber. (I think?) 😉
Dungeons and Dragons had the same kind of deal that this contest does and that was just for a magazine. So, not the first time I’ve seen this approach from a company. I’ve searched my heart on this subject and it came down to: I have to be burning to do my idea in order to endure what could go wrong. In other words, I’m still possibly in it. As in it as I was from the start because I have projects in progress and waiting that I want to focus on when I can.
I think it would be awesome if you entered. I’d love for one of my blog buddies to win this thing. I’m still in the undecided arena, but not out for the count yet.
This could be an awesome adventure.
Awesome! There are a series of graphic novels I have yet to read as well..
It made me want to both read the novels and re watch the movie. 🙂
That’s an amazing offer!!! Thanks for the info. I’d better read the rules though.
There’s a lot of rights surrender, even if you don’t win.
As a kid I loooooooved The Dark Crystal. I’m totally going to check this out….and re-watch the movie soon. I’ve been meaning to watch it for a while, and I can’t think of a better reason to. 😉
Thank you for sharing this!
I didn’t get a chance to comment on this when you posted it – but OM-GOSH I’m sooooo stoked! I’m totally doing this! XD Thank you so much for sharing!
I did read the information on the website, and that’s a lot to give up, but I think I’m okay with them using my work however they’d like, even if I don’t win. If I understand correctly, they would still give me some kind of credit if they did use it, right? Lol, maybe I’m being hopelessly nieve, but I am admittedly under the influence of a really big geek-out right now. 😀
I don’t think it’s naive. They should still give you credit for your work at least I think legally they have to. I’m not sure if I’m interested in putting so much effort in if I can’t use it later. That was my problem.
Yeah, that worried me too. If they never use it for anything, it’ll never see the light of day. That part really sucks – but I’m hoping they’ll do something – maybe post an archive of submissions they get or something? Lol, I’m still being optimistic. 😀 Good luck if you do decide to do it!
And good luck to you too. I’ll be watching to see how you do this Fall. 🙂
Thank you, Jae! 😀