Create Your Own Comics Contest

http://nie.goerie.com/comics-contest/

Create Your Own Comics Contest
Accepting Submissions October 12 through December 14
Brought to you by Erie Times-News in Education and the Erie Art Museum

There are many ways to tell a story. Some writers prefer pencil and paper or a computer to write about their characters, setting, plot, and conflict. Others enjoy graphics and illustrations to create the same type of story. For the Create Your Own Comics Contest, students in grades K-12 are invited to create their own illustrated short stories – with a chance at winning prizes.

Currently on display at the Erie Art Museum is the Art of the Comic Book: Original Works from Klaus Janson, John Totleben, and the Museum’s Collection exhibit, showcasing the art that illustrated incredible stories of adventure from our favorite characters like Spiderman, Captain America, Superman and Batman and more. Visit the gallery for inspiration for your comic!

What are Comics?

Comics tell a story. Usually a series of stories released each week, the comics and graphic novels for the CYOC Contest are complete short stories with the art and illustrations advancing the story rather than telling the story through text. Whether using complex illustrations or simple stick figures, comics and graphic novels combine art and writing to tell the story. Creators can focus on the elaborate art or the interesting story – depending on the artist’s area of interest.

How to Enter
• Create your own mini comic book with a maximum of 8 pages, including a cover page.
• Use letter-sized pages – 8.5 x 11 – see the guide that follows the instructions.
•  Create your story and illustrations in black and white or color, with appropriate speech and
    thought bubbled (See guide).
•  Each submission must be unique content and not a re-creation of an existing published story.
   All text and illustrations must be the author’s original idea.
•  The CYOC Contest is limited to all non-professional authors and illustrators.
•  All designs must be done by hand or original digital non- copyrighted images. Refrain from
   using Clip Art.
•  All submissions are non-returnable. Consider submitting a photocopy or PDF of your work to
   the official contest site.
•  Erie Times-News in Education and Erie Art Museum reserve the right to reproduce the work;
   however, authors/illustrators may reuse their work after the contest.
•  Print and complete the Create Your Own Comics Entry Form. If author is under the age of 18,
   the form must be accompanied by the signature of a parent, guardian, librarian or teacher.
•  Entries can be submitted online at NIE.GoErie.com or emailed to NIE@timesnews.com (must
   be a JPG or PDF). Hard copies can be mailed to Erie Times-News in Education, 205 West
   12th Street, Erie, PA 16534.
•  Limit of one entry per contestant.

Entries will be judges on content and illustrations by a panel of Erie Times-News staff, Erie Art Museum staff, and industry professionals.

Finalists will be announced on January 4 in the Erie Times-News. All contestants are invited to a reception at the Erie Art Museum on January 16, 2016 during the Second Sundays family event. Finalists will be on display in Museum and winners will be awarded prizes at the event. Families will have a chance to tour the Art of the Comic exhibit with Museum educators and participate in a cartooning activity in the classrooms.