Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/contest.ez?contest_id=356

When you announced it before, it required use of an item from Cimerone's store, and that doesn't seem to be in the rules now; does that not matter anymore? I have to say, tho, I'm a little miffed by the heterosexuality requirement. I don't know if I would end up wanting to do a M/M or F/F scene, but as a bleeding heart liberal, I just hate to see discrimination. ^_~*

They changed the rules because it's illegal to have a contest in which a purchase is required.

And I'm with you about the discrimination thing. I dunno, it just seems unnecessary. How many people would do scenes of gay romance, and if some did, so what? They'd likely be drowned out by dozens, if not hundreds, of hetero pics anyway.

I have to say, tho, I'm a little miffed by the heterosexuality requirement Given the outlandishness of the genre, I'm not. There are some things we dont want to reclaim. :-)

Re-claim. . . Sean?? Hmmmm Is there some secret we don't know aobut ;) Enquiring mind want to know :) Tony

Attached Link: http://www.romentics.com/

Actually, the proprietors are reportedly surprised that most of their customers are straight women...

Well there is no discrimination intended or implied here. I have no problems with homosexual art whatsoever -- I think ffabris does some of the most stunning graphic art I've seen, for example, and I am a member at renderotica. The decision to run this contest with this theme was based on my sister being a writer AND my admiration for the artwork on the covers of the mainstream romance novels. Simple as that. I'm sorry for anyone who finds it offensive, no offense was meant. I could just as easily run a "homosexual couples only" contest, and would have no problems in that regard, nor would I in participating in such a contest... course then some conservatives would be offended with that subject matter. I know I could have had an "all inclusive" policy for this contest, but as I said the decision was based on my personal admiration for the artwork on a specific kind of novel and stems from my admiration as a fan of that work. I encourage anyone who isn't happy with these rules to run a contest whose rules DO make them so. The more contests the better, I think. :)

And yes that's right about Cimerone's store products. We did discover later on that it is illegal in Tennessee (where Renderosity is located) to run a contest in which a purchase is involved, so that rule has been eliminated.

Message edited on: 06/21/2004 12:17

Message edited on: 06/21/2004 12:26

The competition is to create a romantic novel cover. These novels have a particular look about them, and I think they always are male/female. Not descriminatory, just the way things are.

Well, elgyfu, to be fair, there is a definite market for homosexual romance and some great literature in that genre. This contest just happens to be centred on ONE aspect of the romance genre. I hope people participate anyhow. If anyone else runs a contest that's accepted as more inclusive or which involves strictly homosexual relationships, I'll gladly take part! :) Looking forward, VERY MUCH, to people's submissions to my contest regardless. I hope everyone has fun! :))

Fergie, I wanted to mention that there's some indication that web-thieves are now stealing Renderosity contest entries for unaccredited use on their websites. Not sure what you can do about it, except maybe be aware, and do what you can to protect the artists' rights. Check the copyright forum; there's recent thread in which some person has been stealing stuff for some time without any remorse or correction.

You don't see interracial couples on romance novels, either, but there's no rule saying "no interracial couples."

I think you can trust people to understand what you're going for when you say you want a romance cover, without actually having to ban same-sex couples. I know it's not my contest, and I'm not trying to change the rules. I'm just pointing out it's easy to avoid stirring up reactions like Fox's. I mean, what's the worst that could happen if you didn't have a "no gay couples" rule? One or two people might submit same-sex images, and they wouldn't win.

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/contest.ez?contest_id=356

randym, I understand what you're saying, and that you're not trying to change the contest rules. They will remain as is, though... and now since there is a link on the front page and a specific contest page for submissions, any entry not fitting within the rules won't be approved for display on the contest page anyhow. Going by your comment, if I did approve them and people who depicted homosexual romance didn't win, for example, then I would be accused of allowing them in but making sure they didn't win... this issue could be debated forever, really. As for there being no interracial couples either... I seem to recall seeing them depicted... though don't come out and ask me to provide a link to PROOF, lol.

The link to the contest page is attached. :)

Message edited on: 06/21/2004 14:04

Going by your comment, if I did approve them and people who depicted homosexual romance didn't win, for example, then I would be accused of allowing them in but making sure they didn't win...

But there are so many other reasons to gripe about contests after a winner has been declared. What's one more? ;-)

And it would have the advantage of not turning off prospective participants before they've submitted anything.

Randy, unless I'm told again that something in my contest is illegal, the rules will stand. If people choose not to participate because they don't like those rules, that will be disappointing in terms of overall turnout, but the people who do enter will have the odds increase that much more in their favour... so for everyone unhappy with things, there will be another happy person too. As I said, this point could be debated endlessly, so with all due respect, I won't debate the issue any further. Feel free to post more objections, should there be any, and this stands for anyone else reading the thread too, but I won't personally respond to it anymore, only because I feel I've said all I have to say... -- no disrespect intended with this comment, by the way. Thank U for being so open with your opinions. :O)!

"And yes that's right about Cimerone's store products. We did discover later on that it is illegal in Tennessee (where Renderosity is located) to run a contest in which a purchase is involved" Can't do this in Michigan either so it's a good thing that rule was tossed :)

I said I wasn't trying to get the rules for your contest changed. I spoke up more for future reference. So many people seem to running contests these days. It seems like a situation that is likely to recur.

Any time there are rules, there will be disagreement. I've designed enough games and run enough campaigns to know that. Contests are voluntary. There is no requirement for Ferguson to run this contest or her last one... she did it because it was fun and there were many lovely pieces of art inspired by the idea. There is no requirement for you to enter... you should only do it if it is fun and challenging and encourages you to finish a suitable piece of art. Your time is valuable. If I don't like the contest rules, I don't enter. Simple as that. Sometimes it is because of a requirement that all entries become property of the contest holder, sometimes because of the nature of the contest theme (I don't have time to do the art I want to do, much less pieces I don't), sometimes it is because of a purchase requirement (have you looked at contests at iw3d and DAZ?), and sometimes because of who's judging. I am glad that there are more contests and quite a variety of them. If there is a type of contest you want to see, and it is within Renderosity's TOS, then why don't you set it up? Instead of being negative, do something positive with the energy... write up the scope and rules, pick a judge, select a prize if you are feeling generous. Any subject you choose will be controversial. Art is that way. Animotions is currently running a contest featuring supervillains. That discriminates against fairy-tale princesses in droopy white sleeves, cartoon dragons, and gothic pin-ups draped over rusty sewer gratings. So? Some entrants might be inspired to design a new supervillain, and originality is always to be encouraged and nurtured. The Ecletic Guild just had a contest where you were required to use a tiny fairy house... supervillains and 50' tall robots not allowed. No matter what you like to do, there will be a contest sooner or later... as long as the people running them feel good about their efforts. Carolly

If anyone feels they have a problem with the rules of this contest, they are free to contact me by im and we can discuss the matter. Plus what Carolly said :-) Shoshanna Renderosity Moderator. Ferguson Fantasy Contest Manager.

Well I gotta second EVERYTHING Carolly said...and then some!!! The basic rule of the contest is that you design a cover for a MAINSTREAM Romance Novel...doesn't take rocket science folks. I said it in another thread and I will repeat it here. Pick up ANY Romance Novel in any regular bookstore, or K-Mart or Walmart and what are you gonna see on the cover...a gorgeous hunk o' man and a beautiful woman...dressed in the clothing of that period when romance ruled. I think it's a perfectly beautiful theme, and I plan on entering myself. Contests challenge our artistic abilities, and after all, isn't that what art is all about? Gets you to stretch and grow and just plain have fun....so everyone? Have Fun!!!!! :-)

I think the idea was to design a book cover for a mainstream historical romance. Those always involve a man and a woman. That's why they're "mainstream". As noted, there is a market for homosexual/lesbian romance, but it's not mainstream by any means. It's not about gender, it's not about sexual identity, it's about graphic design in a specific genre. ;-) bonni

That's what I meant, Elizabyte.

Yes. I was agreeing and underscoring. :-) bonni