Intro
Hi!  So, in order to become more involved in the Hetalia community here, Literate-Hetalia has decided to keep a running list of all the Hetalia contests that we can find.  Entries will be organized by deadline.

If you're hosting a contest or planning to host one, please do send us a note so that we may add it to this list!  Just follow the little form I have listed below.  

Entry Form!
Link to group:
Quick summary:
Deadline:
Link to contest rule page:


Also, if you could link to this journal on your page somewhere, that'd be appreciated!  Gotta spread the word about the contests!

HETALIA RELATED CONTESTS
Please be sure to read all the rules listed on the contest pages before entering!  Click contest titles for official rule pages.


:star:Deadline Unknown:star:

:iconiamtheblackbird:
China Themed Poetry Contest
Write a poem about China from Hetalia.  Any pairings, length, genre, and style welcome.  Due UNKNOWN.  Contest will end with the 10th entry.


:star:October:star:

:iconrochu-squad:
Rochu October Contest
A contest where participants can choose between a 1) Music theme, 2) Mafia/Gangster 3) or Tsar/Emperor.  Fanart and Literature accepted.  Due October 30, 2012

:star:November:star:

:iconaph-ahoge-lovers:
Tangled Up Ahoge Contest.
ART and LIT contest that requires two or more countries' ahoges getting tangled up!  Check rules for full details about what is and isn't acceptable.  Due November 30, 2012
Input appreciated, especially under the "contest plans" header!

:bulletred: 30 Day Prompt Challenge

So, guys, red-stained-december is hosting a really awesome 30 day prompt challenge this month for Hetalia fanfiction.  It's got some tricky rules that limit you to major use of each character only twice and each pairing only once throughout the whole challenge--so it should expand your horizons and challenge you to explore new topics and characters.  It's already Day 3, but you can begin any time and pick up previous days as you go along.  Check it out at :iconhetalianationsunite:  to get started and see what other people come up with.  It'll be a great bonding experience with other Hetalia writers!  <3

:bulletred: New Folder

We've added a poetry folder as a catch all for what doesn't fall under prose!  Feel free to submit your poetry to this group now. (:  Don't worry, it doesn't have to rhyme--unless you just want it to!

:bulletred:   Contest Plans

In the next month we'll arrange to have a contest here at Literate-Hetalia as a sort of kick-off now that we've finally got the group running somewhat smoothly.  It will be a one-round contest, and I know for sure that I'll be able to donate a month subby to the first place winner.  Of course, prize donations are welcome as well!

Here are the ideas for "themes" that I've come up with so far.  Other suggestions or opinions are welcome, of course.  (:

:star: First line theme:  Those entering can choose from a list of "first lines" to begin their piece with.  Any pairings, time period, etc allowed.  We might have a pre-contest in which members can suggest intriguing beginning sentences that they'd like to see used in the contest.
:star: 4 word prompts:  Four interesting words/events/concepts/objects are chosen (or suggested) and the contestant must use at least 3 of them within their story.
:star: Time period:  A broad time period is given, and the contestant can write about any event in any country that occurs within that span of years.
:star:  AU contest:  What it says on the tin.  Something that focuses on the characters' more human aspects and personalities, rather than roles as nations.

More ideas to come, hopefully!  I'd love to hear what you guys think about these and what other ideas that you might have.  

:bulletred:  Affiliates

It's about time that this group built up a good relationship with affiliates through mutual advertisement and collaboration.  So, a)  feel free to affiliate your group with Literate-Hetalia and b) feel free to come to our group if you need help with anything at all.  We'll see what we can do!

:bulletred:  Contest Reference Sheet

LAST BUT NOT LEAST...

I'm thinking about starting up a list of all the Hetalia related contests that I can find around the community for a handy reference for the members here.  It'd be a running list, of course, and our way of helping members find just what they're looking for!  If anyone knows of any contests or challenges going on right now, please send us a note with a link where it's being held!
These changes include loosened quality control, a feature folder, removal of critique folder, and upcoming contests!  I'm also looking for input having to do with the current folder organization.

:bulletred:  Quality Control--Any piece that exhibits decent enough grammar, punctuation, and structure will be allowed into the group, provided that it is submitted to the correct category.  However, we still will not be accepting reader inserts for the purpose of flood control.  Worry not, there are several groups devoted purely to reader inserts that will accept your work, such as CountryXReader and Readertalia.

:bulletred:  Feature Folder--A place set up to display the pieces that the admins find exceptionally well written.  The folder itself will not be open to submission, but any piece that a member submits to any other folder of this group is a candidate for feature!

:bulletred:  Critique Folder--Admins here are finding that they don't have time to do much critiquing lately, so we're removing the critique folder.  Please feel free to pay WritersOfHetalia a visit, as they have a critique system which the admins here will be helping out with from time to time.  (:  Just be sure that you let the admins there know that you're looking for a critique, so they'll know to help you out!

:bulletred:  Upcoming Contests--I've got quite a contest idea cooking, and I was wondering if anyone would be interested in joining in or even donating prizes?  I think I can spring for a subscription for the first place winner, but it's always nice to have 2nd and 3rd prizes as well.  A quick question--do you all prefer long or short contests?  As in multi-rounds or single-round?

Okay, now to the member input question.

:bulletred:  Folder Organization--Do you like the current organization?  Would it be a better idea to break it up into specific countries/pairings, or keep it the way it is for simplicity's sake?
I've been considering different possibilities, and it seems that this group needs somewhat of an overhaul in submission standards, gallery organization, and miscellaneous features.  Listed below are what I've come up with--but members are welcome to make their own suggestions.

Submission Standards
We're considering (and have partially already started) "loosening" the standards for work submitted to this group.  While we will still encourage correct grammar and characterization, this group might allow any pieces with "redeeming qualities" to make it into the gallery without being necessarily "perfect".  We do realize that writing fanfiction is a hobby.  This is our way of allowing writers with engaging plotlines or interesting themes to display their work without worrying about taking a magnifying glass to their commas or sentence structure.  I suppose this is highly subjective, but a basic rule of thumb would be to make sure your piece is lacking in any egregious errors and is coherent and well-written enough that the "judges" can actually make it through the story.   

Gallery Organization
We personally like the simplistic use of our folder system without having to deal with listing out all the possible characters or pairings.  However, it is possible that we'll do away with the critique folder.  Are there any other "simple" folders that members would like to see?  I actually kind of like the idea of a "Historical" folder.

We will also begin utilizing the "feature" folder for those pieces that "stun us speechless".  Members will not be able to submit to this folder, but any piece they submit elsewhere has the potential to be moved into the "feature" folder.

More Streamlined Submissions
My partner and I are realizing that it's very difficult to maintain a writing group in the midst of university endeavors.  We simply do not have time to very efficiently get through the entire submission box before some pieces expire. (On that note, if your piece has expired, please do re-send it.)  We are discussing ways to make this easier and quicker for both the "judges" and the members of the group.

Here are two solutions that we have come up with.  Of course member input is welcome and encouraged.

:bulletred:  Organize a "class" of members who consistently create well-written, engaging pieces.  The members of this class would be allowed to submit unlimited works to any folder with automatic approval.  Any member may apply to become a member of this "class", but must realize that the "judges" will be picky in choosing who will be promoted.  

Those who do not make this new "class" may still submit to the original voting system.  It's also possible that, if we see marked improvement, members might be promoted without a second application.

:bulletred:  Promote trustworthy members into admins who will help judge pieces.  As of now we only have two people reading and voting on submissions.  The process would be a lot easier if we added 2+ more admins.

Wonderful Fanfiction Masterlist
Exactly what it states--a master list on livejournal or a similar site linking to off-dA fanfictions that are definitely worth reading.  It'd be organized by nation or pairing and would serve as a reference for those looking for something to read.

Alright.  Those are the possible changes that my partner and I have been considering.  Any thoughts, questions, concerns?
There is a possibility that Literate-Hetalia would consider hosting a Hetalia fanfiction contest in the next few months.  A topic/theme/prompt has not yet been discussed--though we are up for suggestions---but I would definitely be up for donating a subby as a prize.  Is this something that members would be interested in participating in?  Of course such a contest would serve as somewhat of an advertisement for the group itself--maybe even a grand opening to gain more attention/members.

Thoughts?  Suggestions?  Concerns?  

As I said before, I'd love to hear ideas for themes/prompts.