BEST IN SHOW

In order, the top three entries from Qualifier #1 are:

Scoundrel & Thieves by 00ArgentSilver00

Fractured by Darthwitty

Beginning by Snowleopardcheetah

CONGRATULATIONS!

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The Kessel Run: A Star Wars SmackDown is BACK with a vengeance!

Prepare yourself to embrace the Dark Side!

A SmackDown is a short story contest where writers compete for the ultimate prize of Solo-tier Elite Bragging Rights (amongst other, as yet unannounced prizes) because gaining overall notoriety in a SmackDown isn't like flying through Beggar's Canyon back home! It's the ultimate Death Star victory!

Over a series of rounds, the number of which will be determined by the number of contestants, you will be tried and tested in a galaxy far, far away; pushed to the limits of your story-telling abilities; taken to the Outer Rim and left to fend among rogues! All in the name of good fun and competition!

For each round, you will be asked to write a short story based on an image(s), quote(s) or text prompt. The recommended word count for each round will vary, but throughout this contest we will never ask you to write more than 5,000 words (except for the final round where the recommended word count will be up to 10,000 words)!

Qualification Rounds

The Kessel Run: A Star Wars SmackDown is open to ALL comers, the more... the merrier. If your entry qualifies, you will go on to the next qualifying round until the real work starts and the KNOCKOUT ROUNDS begin, separating the veteran space tramps from the (w)rookies.

Using up to 1,000 words, write a piece of Star Wars fanfiction from the prompt given below. This will be your first of two qualifying rounds to The Kessel Run: A Star Wars Smackdown.

Still here? Stand by for Qualifying Round One!

Prompt: Your character finds themselves in need of some quick money. You've heard that the crime lord Jabba the Hutt of Tatooine is hiring.

Rules of Engagement

Recommended Word Count: 1,000

Deadline: Friday, May 14th at Midnight, Galactic Standard Time (EDT). The deadline is final. Any stories submitted beyond deadline that will not be considered eligible for judging.

How to Enter: Upload the story to your profile as normal, either as a standalone one-shot or as part of an existing collection, and submit the direct link via this FORM.

Feel free to share that link in the comments' section below, allowing your fellow SmackDown Participants to check out your work—and allowing you to check out the competition! Only those stories submitted via the FORM will be considered for judging in the contest.

Entries must be in English. Sadly, no one on the team speaks Wookiee or Ewok—yet.

NOTE: This qualifying entry will not be judged in the traditional sense, but one story will be selected as BEST IN SHOW. Every entry will be read. If it does not adhere to the given prompt, participation in the contest will not be guaranteed.

May the Force be with you, and let the SmackDown commence!

FAQs

Does my story have to adhere to the word count?

No, the recommended word count is exactly what it says; recommended. You won't be penalized for writing a story a little above or below that number of words. Judges may not read over the recommended word count, so keep this in mind. Do remember your entry must be a finished story.

How much time will be given between rounds?

The time will vary from a week to a month and everywhere in between, based on the recommended word count.

Do I need to write a single chapter only?

Adding more than one chapter is welcome, if the story is self-contained as a book. Please keep in mind the whole book must meet our recommended word limit.

What about Mature stories?

Mature stories are permitted, but please remember that it must meet WATTPAD CONTENT GUIDELINES  in order to be accepted.

Are LGBTQ+ characters allowed?

This galaxy may be far, far away, but it is LGBTQIA+ friendly for characters, stories, and themes!

How will our stories get judged?

A team of Wookiee Ambassadors and protocol droids will use a simple and basic scoring rubric. Stories are judged on various factors, such as spelling, punctuation, grammar, originality, and creative relation to our prompt. The top three writers for the grand finale will be chosen through the Smackdown's total accumulation of points.

During the Knockout Rounds, writers with the lowest-accumulated scores will be eliminated from the contest. The number of eliminations per round depends entirely upon the number of contestants.

Can I still enter if I did not participate in previous rounds?

Of course you can! But when the Knockout Rounds begin, only those writers in the running can advance to future rounds. Advancement is based on points earned from the judges in each previous round.

How do I submit my story for this contest?

Just complete this FORM and that's it!

Disclaimer: Please note, the following contest and its rules are the creation of a team of hard-working Ambassadors and is in no way affiliated with Wattpad or its staff. Judging of said contest is entirely run by its creators and is not the responsibility of Wattpad or its staff.