“Centaurida” is an annual grant competition for writers, in particular beginners, who want to create works of art for children and teenagers based on historical and mythological data about the territory and inhabitants of the Tauri region of Ukraine. The narrative of the work may not be limited to the territory of Tavriia – the southern regions and the Crimean peninsula. For your inspiration and understanding of the scope of the topic, we note that we count the history of the lands and peoples of Ukraine not from 1991 or 1654, and not from Kyi, Shchek and Horyv, but from the creation of the universe according to ancient Slavic legends.
All authors can apply for the “Centaurida” competition, including beginners who have never written fiction, as well as writers with experience and publications. There are no age, nationality or country of residence restrictions.
The deadline for submission of competitive works is May 12, 2023 until 11:59 p.m.
The competition is held in two stages:
- at the first stage, applicants submit their proposals in the form of a log line and a synopsis of the work. The tender commission selects the proposals that go to the second stage of selection;
- at the second stage, the applicant submits a complete work and proposals for the design of the work (if any).
Applications for the first stage can be submitted throughout the year. One will receive an answer regarding the transition to the second stage within three weeks of submitting their application.
The winner is chosen according to the terms of the competition within 4 weeks. All participants will receive an answer about the results to the e-mail specified in the application form. We guarantee the preservation of copyrights, and we also do not transfer one’s personal data to third parties.
To participate in the competition, one needs to do the following:
- fill out the questionnaire at the link;
- submit the essence of the work (log line) and synopsis (structured description of the work) in Ukrainian. Send documents to kentavrida@gmail.com. In the subject of the letter, please indicate “Application for the competition “Centaurida” 2023”
For reference: A log line is a short summary of a work (book, film, program), which reveals the main conflict of the story, a summary of the plot, and an emotional “hook” that attracts the attention of the audience. The size of the logline can be even one sentence up to 25 words. The logline indicates the time, place, and circumstances of the events of the work, names the main character and antagonist, provides a tie-in that leads to the development of the action, conflict (moral plan) and the purpose of the work.
A synopsis is a short linear presentation of the concept of a work of art, its content, the essence of a conflict, a dramatic situation in an exciting form. In the synopsis there is a beginning, turning points, a climax, a denouement. The synopsis answers the following questions: what is this story about, who are the main characters, what do they strive for and why, what obstacles stand in their way. The synopsis does not tell the whole story, but only makes you interested until you get to know it completely. For a better understanding and preparation of the synopsis, we advise one to familiarize oneself with the three-act structure of creating scenarios.
Funds of the grant cover: expenses for design, layout and printing of the minimum circulation of the work of art publication; partial or full coverage of illustration services; the cost of publishing services and illustrator’s work is determined by the tender. The charge depends on the total cost of approved services under the application.
Ineligible expenses for the grant application: expenses for writing the work and related expenses, editor and proofreader services, salaries and fees for consultants, research expenses, expenses for organizing travel and flights, translation services, expenses for publication of previously published works, expenses for carrying out activities not related to the purpose of the competition, other expenses recognized by the grant committee as inappropriate within the scope of the competition, acceptance and evaluation criteria.
The application must be complete:
at the first stage of selection, one must fill out a questionnaire and send two documents with a log line and a synopsis;
at the second stage of selection – submit a full completed work.
One can be inspired by any stories, myths and legends of the world, use archives, but at the same time remember about copyright. If plagiarism is detected, the application will be excluded from the competition.
Remember the purpose of the program – your works will be read by children and teenagers, so your story should be instructive and give positive emotions.
Send questions and suggestions to the address – itscraftua@gmal.com. In the subject of the letter, please indicate «Questions about the “Centaurida” competition».
Media Center of
National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic”
