storytellers-contest-tjac

[storytellers-contest-tjac]

Hi, no art without words, I presume 🤔

Hello,

We would love to have artists join us! However, this first round was set up as solely a writing contest. Artwork/Fanart can be included in the submitted fanfic, but is not a factor in the judging process.

If you or other artists are interested in participating in future rounds, please DM the @storytellers-contest so that we can gauge interest and determine how we might include artists in future rounds.

Thank you!

~Kym

[storytellers-contest-tjac]

Sign-ups for this epic event open August 15... Mark your calendars and don't forget to spread the word.

[storytellers-contest-tjac]

[storytellers-contest-tjac]

What discord community is attached to this?

Hi!

Once you're signed up (sign-ups start August 15), we'll send you a personal link to the Discord!

Thanks so much! Hope you join us

~Beka

[storytellers-contest-tjac]

Hello, hello!! Crossovers were mentioned as being accepted, but what about AUs? For example, if I were to write an RPF, could I do Rockstar!Jensen? Or a coffee shop AU? Thanks for hosting this, I'm excited to see what all comes out of it!! ~ @CLeighWrites

Hello!

We know many writers and readers enjoy AUs, and one of our hosts writes them almost exclusively. However, objectively scoring an AU characterization would be difficult. So, after some discussion, it was decided that AUs would not be allowed this round. We’re testing the waters and charting a path in this first round, and we hope that you will still consider joining us on this journey. Thanks!

~Kym

[storytellers-contest-tjac]

Storytellers Contest: TJAC FAQs

(x)

FAQs (subject to change)  

Participants will receive a welcome packet with additional information. If you have questions not answered below or in your packet, please DM us on Tumblr or Discord.

What characters can I create for?

Below is the list of characters that can be used for this contest. Jensen* RPF is also welcome.  

Tom Hanniger (My Bloody Valentine)

Dean Winchester* (SPN/The Winchesters)  

Jack Durfy (Buddy Games)  

Soldier Boy/Ben (The Boys)  

Beau Arlen (Big Sky)  

Russell Shaw (Tracker)  

Mark Meachum (Countdown)  

*Jensen or his character should be over the age of thirty within the piece. 

What is the minimum word count?

There are two options. Each category will have its own prize levels.  

Novella (5k to 15K words)

Magnum Opus (25k+ words)

Can I include ships?

Yes. Except for the following (stated or implied).  

No J2/Wincest  

No Destiel/Cockles

Does the relationship of the main character(s) have to be romantic?

No. Platonic, gender-neutral, sibling, and parental relationships are also acceptable. No underage (18) sex or incest allowed.

Characters in romantic/sexual relationships should be 30+. 

Can I combine with another contest, bingo, or challenge?

No.   

Are crossovers allowed?

Yes. Crossovers with other fandoms, even ones Jensen is not involved in—MCU, Doctor Who, Sherlock, Star Trek, etc.—are allowed. The story's primary focus should still be on Jensen or one of his listed characters.  

Are AUs allowed?   No. Objectively judging characterization in AUs would be difficult.

Is canon divergence allowed?   Yes.

How is an AU versus a canon-divergent story defined for the purpose of the contest?

AU - Set in a completely different universe, and the character(s) have a different backstory. Such as Dean being a bakery owner or a photographer who travels the world instead of becoming a hunter. Or SB not being a supe but still dishing out toxic masculinity as a VP of Operations. The characters may be familiar, but the world they inhabit is not. More like original fiction with our favorite characters tossed in.

Canon Divergence - Set in the same universe/world, and the characters have the same life history. Beau is still a divorced sheriff in Montana, or Russell still works private security for the Horizon Group. It basically follows canon up until the author adds in a new character(s) or the canon characters take a different action that alters their storyline. The world and characters are familiar and true to the source material, but an event or choice not in canon changes the outcomes.

Is there a drop-out date or other checkpoint?   Yes.

Drop-out deadline: December 31, 2025

Check-in: March 15, 2026

Posting

Fanworks must be completed, edited, beta/alpha read, and ready to post by June 13, 2026  

Works should be posted, in their entirety, between June 14 and June 21, 2026, to be eligible for judging and prizes.  

Works posted before June 14, 2026, will be disqualified from the judging process.  

You may post on Tumblr or AO3. 

Please add it to the Storytellers Contest Collection here: https://archiveofourown.org/collections/StorytellersContestTJAC

If posting on AO3, please create a Tumblr post with the link so we can reblog it.  

Where do I submit the link to my post to be reblogged?

A link to the post should be shared in the submission channel on Discord between June 14 and June 21, 2026.

Where will my posts be reblogged?

Submissions will be reblogged to the @storytellers-contest-tjac blog from June 22 to June 28, 2026. If you do not see your post reblogged, don’t hesitate to contact @mod on the Discord server. Or ask in the @storytellers-contest-tjac DMs.

When does judging take place?

Judging begins June 30, 2026, and ends July 31, 2026.

The Reader's Choice voting form will be available beginning June 30 and will close on July 31, 2026.  

How will readers find my work for judging?  

Our admins will create a master post with links to all the submitted works and will reblog the post several times throughout the judging time frame.  

You may also reblog and promote your post as often as you'd like after the submission deadline.    

When are the winners announced?

August 8, 2026    

Images  

All images used in this event MUST be credited to the original creator/site unless pulled from a Creative Commons website.  

A source link must be provided. Please ask for permission before using photos taken by con photographers or attendees.  

Place source links in the post however you'd like.

Here is an example of how to keep it clean and unobtrusive - https://deanwinchesterswitch.tumblr.com/post/763369272735137792/source-x-x-x-x 

Artwork  

We will not be matching artists and authors for this contest.  

You may use artwork throughout your piece.  

Please indicate if you are the artist.  

If you are not the artist, please indicate if you have permission to use the art and give proper attribution.

Updated: 061625

[storytellers-contest-tjac]

Storytellers Contest: TJAC Small Print

Contest Small Print (subject to change) 

You must be 30+ when registration opens on August 15th to participate! 

This is a Jensen-centric contest. All pieces must include Jensen or one of the listed characters Jensen has played as the main character of the piece. 

In the story, Jensen or his character must be at least 30 years of age. No aging up.

The use of AI (artificial intelligence) is strictly prohibited. No AI is to be used to create any part of your story or art. The use of AI will result in an immediate ban from the event. No exceptions. 

Hate of any kind will not be tolerated. Offenders will be blocked and banned from the event and any future events.

Ships are accepted except for J2/Wincest or Cockles/Destiel - stated or implied. 

Discord is a requirement to participate in the contest. 

Reblogs of each submission will appear on the @storytellers-contest-tjac blog.  

Only one entry is allowed 

Minimum requirements for submitted works 

A ‘Keep Reading’ break before or around 500 words.  

Please mention @storytellers-contest in the Author’s Notes. Use the hashtag #storytellerscontesttjac within the first five tags. 

All images used in this event MUST be credited to the original creator unless pulled from a Creative Commons website. We have a list of sites if you need them. 

Written specifically for the competition and able to stand alone. 

Cannot be combined with other contests or challenges. 

Appropriately tagged and rated. 

Trigger warnings should be included at the beginning of the post. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns about warnings as potential spoilers. 

The fanwork should be beta or alpha read at least once prior to posting 

If you do not have a reader, we have a list of volunteers you can choose from.