Competitions

Now and then we like to encourage a little friendly competition, either hosted by HotaruCon or proposed by attendees!

We know we’ve got a lot of talent in the community and this is your opportunity to show us.

Read below to learn more about the competitions we have running at this year’s HotaruCon.

✨ ConBook Cover Competition ✨

Deadline: Midnight Sunday 20^th of October 2024

This is one for all you artists out there! 👀

This year the competition is open to HotaruCon Attendees, Vendors AND currently unregistered applicants!

The ConBook is your A5 printed pocket guide to the convention that every attendee gets free with their registration. It contains a map of the event, descriptions of all the panels, details on guests and various other useful pieces of information.

In previous years we've used front cover submissions for the back cover, but this year we're going to do things a little bit differently.

You’ve got THREE options!!!

You can submit a FRONT cover (Dimensions: 2480 x 1748 px (300 DPI) CYMK or RGB*, .JPEG or .PNG)

You can submit a BACK cover (Dimensions: 2480 x 1748 px (300 DPI) CYMK or RGB*, .JPEG or .PNG)

You can submit a COMBO FRONT-to-BACK cover (Dimensions: 2480 x 3496 px (300 DPI) CYMK or RGB*, .JPEG or .PNG) (A solo artist may submit both or you can pair up with a friend and submit together!)

*Submissions in RGB will be converted to CYMK for print so some colours may differ on the final ConBook

The rules of engagement are simple:

1. NO AI
2. Digital and traditional are allowed
   1. Please be able to supply a high resolution scan if submitting a traditional piece
      
3. Feature at least one, if not all, of our Mascots preferably incorporating the Circus theme
1. We ask that you avoid the use of clown iconography and imagery
2. Please do not include OCs, other licensed characters or mascots
3. Original outfits (or cosplays) for our mascots are allowed
4. Firefly can be in his human or cat form
   
4. Post that you're entering and your entry to your social media of choice and tag us @hotaruconuk on Facebook, Instagram, X or TikTok*
   1. *You can also just post to our Discord server if you’re not on any of the above
5. Leave a space for the HotaruCon 3 Ring Circus logo on any FRONT cover designs (we've included examples below so you can see how it looks with your design)
   1. Please keep in mind we may need to re-size or reposition the logo so please be able to provide a copy of your artwork without the logo if you're selected
   2. BACK cover designs don't need to include space for a logo
   3. 
6. Due to the cutting process when printing any border decoration may look misaligned. We’re happy for you to submit artwork with borders but please keep this in mind. For the same reason, if you are submitting a FRONT-to-BACK spread or paired art for the FRONT and BACK avoid anything that relies on a perfect centre line. As much as we try to ensure quality at printing, these things do happen.
7. Please be able to provide an unwatermarked copy for print, winners will be credited in half page bios within the conbook (detailed in ✨ Prizes ✨)
8. In the event that NO solo BACK cover designs are submitted but a solo FRONT cover is selected, we will consider other FRONT cover submissions as a BACK cover

Finally: Emphasis on the friendly competition, like HotaruCon , the aim is to celebrate the creativity in fandom. So bring you A game and cheer each other on

After the deadline the Committee will review the entries and the winner will be featured on the front cover of the ConBook. A small bio and link to socials of the winner's choice will also be featured inside the ConBook.

✨ How to Enter ✨

1. Let us know via Cover Art Competition on the Contact Us page
2. Tell us your social handles so we can keep our eyes peeled 👀👀
3. Tell us if you'll be submitting a FRONT, BACK, paired or solo FRONT-to-BACK cover or if you haven't decided yet!
4. If you're submitting a FRONT cover if you're happy for it to be conisdered for the BACK cover as well.
5. We'll be on hand to answer any of your questions and good luck ✨
   

✨ Prizes ✨

We liked to keep some things a surprise here at HotaruCon but this year we’re putting some of the cards on the table.

If separate FRONT and BACK cover winners (this includes combo entries from paired artists) are selected each artist will receive:

1. A complementary ticket code to register a friend (if you are already registered), or yourself if you missed out on a ticket for this year!!
2. An additional commemorative copy of the ConBook to share with family and friends
3. This year’s convention t-shirt in the size of their choice
4. A full set of this year’s collectable badge designs
5. A unique HotaruCon Artist badge for their collection
6. An A4 plastic print of their design
7. Additional goodies at the committee’s discretion awarded at The Closing Ceremony on Sunday 24^th of November 2024 (In previous years that has included things like complimentary tickets to the NEXT HotaruCon…you know…should there be one)

If combined FRONT and BACK cover winners from one artist are selected they will receive:

1. Two complementary ticket codes to register friends (if you are already registered), or yourself and a friend if you missed out on a ticket for this year!!
2. An additional commemorative copy of the ConBook to share with family and friends
3. Two of this year’s convention t-shirt in the sizes of their choice
4. Two full sets of this year’s collectable badge designs
5. A unique HotaruCon Artist badge for their collection
6. An A4 plastic print of their design
7. Additional goodies at the committee’s discretion awarded at The Closing Ceremony on Sunday 24^th of November 2024 (In previous years that has included things like complimentary tickets to the NEXT HotaruCon…you know…should there be one)

✨ Previous Examples ✨

HotatuCon 2's back cover by IdentityShell and front cover by Boatiee respectively:

HotatuCon's back cover by Whisksarebae and front cover by CeriseQueen respectively: