Iron Artist & Iron Pen Rules

The Iron Pen and Iron Artist are competitions at Furry Migration held specifically to sponsor the high points of Furry Fandom: Originality and Creativity.

An artist or writer is provided with a few elements which must be included in the final piece, and a limited period of time for which to finish their work. This is an artistic “mad dash” to incorporate the ideas selected in a unique and creative fashion. Normally this competition is limited to a few (three to five) participants. However, we’ve decided to change the format and run it as an open competition. This is more in-line with the belief that every-fur has an artistic ability that can shine if given a chance to run with a short term creative project.

But, to make this work, we do need some rules to make such a competition fair and in the spirit of the spontaneous creations.

1. All creations must be original. You may not use existing works from you or others collection. You may use details or characters you have established before, but the work itself must be an original piece created during the alloted period. Generated AI is not allowed to be used.
2. Works are to be judged more of their incorporation of themes and “ingredients” than finished skill of product. Yes, polish is always good. But inspiration, insight, and clever incorporation of themes is more important.
3. All submissions are to be no more than PG-13 rating. The event’s review area is to be held in general area of art show. Any inappropriate content will be rejected. So, keep it family-friendly.
4. This years competition has some “ingredients” rules
   • We will just bias towards a Minnesota flavor. Try to include local Species, either flora/fauna (e.g. Pine Marten). Or include local folk tale legends (e.g. Babe the Blue Ox). Good characters are good characters, but this is a Minnesota convention so try to keep thing feeling local.
   • The second is idea of “migration.” This can be literal or figurative. Migration itself encompasses many ideas including: Travel, beginning or end of a Journey, Moving from one position to another, grouping up, settling in, getting ready, etc.
   • Finally, the secret ingredient, which is announced the Monday before Opening Ceremonies on the Furry Migration website and social media accounts.
     Furry Migration 2024 Secret Ingredient is BALLROOM
5. Submissions will be accepted until Friday at midnight of this years convention.
   • Only one entry per contest, per person.
   • Badge required for submission.
   • Title for piece is suggested.
   • Do NOT include your name or any signature on your submission.
   • Put your submissions in the submission box in the Zoo area, use the form below, or email it to ironpen@furrymigration.org
6. Judging and public viewing of the entries will be held on the 2nd Floor in the Zoo Area. Peer review and voting will be used to select three top candidates for each contest. Voting is open all day Saturday, and closes at NOON Sunday, of the last day of this year’s convention. The top candidates are then submitted to the Judging panel for the final selection. Please observe the rules of voting, which will be posted in the Zoo area. Also, in the spirit of competition, please refrain from campaigning.
7. Final winners and runners-up will be announced at the closing ceremonies. The two winning pieces (art and writing) will be submitted into the next year’s convention booklet with proper credit and ample time to do touch ups and minor grammatical corrections. The two winners will be rewarded with a free regular attendance ticket for next year’s Furry Migration. If a winner is not present at the closing ceremonies they will be contacted via the information provided on the submission form. All submissions are the property of
   their creators. Minnesota Furs and Furry Migration retain a non-exclusive, non-transferable publication license for re-publication in the Convention booklet and/or website for any winning pieces.
8. All submissions are the property of their creators. Minnesota Furs and Furry Migration retain a non-exclusive, non-transferable publication license for re-publication in the Convention booklet and/or website for any winning pieces.
9. Originals will be available for returns in the Zoo area on Sunday, after the closing ceremonies.

Iron pen specific rules

1. All written work should be no greater than 1000 words, but have no minimum. Submissions can be in the forms of poetry, sonnet, prose, short story, even single scene if it adequately encapsulates the themes.
2. Submissions can be in following formats: text, Microsoft Word, LibreOffice, or OpenOffice. We have limited ability to convert outside these formats, but program may “adjust” spacing and format.

Iron artist specific rules

1. Submissions should be one 8-1/2 by 11 inch or smaller sheet. Any medium is allowed providing it is dry or set upon submission. Although we try to handle submissions carefully, we can not be held responsible for any accidental smudging.
2. Any graphic art form is allowed providing it is dry or set upon submission. Although we try handle submissions carefully, we can not be held responsible for any accidental smudging.
3. We would prefer you make one copy (or print) of your submissions to fit into an 8 1/2 by
   11 inch or smaller format (so the image may be safely displayed clipped-up on an art panel, or flat on a table, with no damage to your original art.)