How do I know if I can enter the Caliburn Prize?
Please look at the Eligibility Criteria and Conditions of Entry sections above.
Can I apply for the Prize if I have already been shortlisted in a previous year?
You may reapply for the Caliburn Prize if you have been shortlisted in previous years, but not if you have been a previous winner.
Is there an age limit for entrance?
You must be aged eighteen at the time of entry.
I’ve never created a comic before, and I’ve never done a course in it. Should I bother?
Yes. many of the greatest comic creators never learned how to do this in school. You can only get better by doing it.
My submission has appeared in a blog, but not in a printed comic or GN. Does that count as ‘unpublished’?
‘Unpublished’ means that the work in question has never appeared in magazines, websites (including blogs), novels, comics or anthologies, and that it hasn’t appeared in other formats such as screenplays, audio dramas, podcasts, etc. Therefore, submissions that have already been published online as part of a blog article have been published, and are not eligible for entry.
However, if your submission is part of a greater whole, or a book being created from a short story, we can examine this on a case by case basis.
Can I enter work from a previously self-published book, or digital comic?
Self-published print or digital comics are published works, and therefore fall outside the eligibility criteria.
Can I enter if I already have a book deal with a comics publisher for the work?
The Caliburn Prize is intended to support works in progress, not to promote works that are already completed, and for which a publishing deal has been secured. A ‘book deal’ is defined as a contract with a publisher whereby you are paid an advance for your writing and/or a royalty for any book sales that follow, and therefore is not eligible.
My Letterer is established in the industry, but we’ve only hired them for the lettering, and they’ve been paid. As they don’t get anything else, does this make me ineligible?
The Caliburn Prize understands that some roles are harder to create than others, and sometimes experts in that field need to be brought in. If you can show in the work for hire agreement that they won’t receive any more royalties etc, then a “stunt casting” can be accepted, but submissions with this will be checked on a case by case basis.
You ask for a one-page synopsis. What is that?
A synopsis is a summary of the story you intend to create, giving a high concept / log line for the comic, followed by a short breakdown of the full story, including the end. It should give the judges a clear understanding of where you intend to take your story, including character development and story arc.
You ask for eight pages – do they have to be the first eight?
No. The eight pages can be anywhere from the book, but they must be sequential, so that the story flows when reading.
Do you take my intellectual property when I submit the entry?
No. By submitting your work, you are agreeing to it being read and considered by awards sifters, judges and staff of Hooded Man Media. The copyright of your submitted work stays with you / your team at all times, and we will not exert or ask for any rights over your work at any time.
What about Data Privacy?
Your submission will be deleted once the judging process is complete. You will only receive future correspondence from Hooded Man Media that you have specifically signed up for, and you can unsubscribe at any time. We will never share your data or personal information with any other businesses or organisations, and we abide by all relevant data protection legislation.
What about Equality?
Hooded Man Media, Caliburn Comics, Tony Lee and all associates of the Caliburn Prize for Comic Creation believe that all individuals should be treated fairly and on the basis of merit and without prejudice. Applications to the Prize are considered without reference to age, cultural background, class, disability, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, faith or an individual’s health status.
I’m part of a team. How do we split the guild memberships?
If you win the Prize, you will gain memberships to both the Alliance of Independent Authors, and the Comic Book Legal Defence Fund. Both of these are single memberships, so it’s up to you who gets what!
Hows does the Kickstarter meeting work?
Oriana Leckert, Director of Publishing for Kickstarter has graciously offered to give the winners an hour long zoom call about their work, answering any crowdfunding questions you may have. This will be organised between you and Ms Leckert after the ward is given in July 2024.