The Ink Games

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Welcome to the main competition! Let's break down each round so you know exactly what you're getting yourselves into.

The Ink Arena (still cheesy, still love it) is where your book fights to survive across four rounds of eliminations. With each stage, the focus shifts—from first impressions to storytelling power to full-on emotional impact.

Only the strongest make it to the end... so read carefully, take notes, and prepare your masterpiece.

Now, let's talk criteria.

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Round 1—Fresh Blood

The first impression round. I'm not reading your book yet—I'm judging how well it sells itself. This is where your visuals, presentation, and summary either make me click... or scroll.

What I'll Be Looking At:

Cover: Eye-catching, clean, and fitting for the story's genre or tone. Bonus points for originality and design that actually looks intentional.

Title: Memorable, marketable, and intriguing. It should grab attention without sounding like a 抖阴社区 cliché.

Blurb: Does it make me want to read your book? Is it clear and snappy, not a paragraph dump? I'm judging clarity, flow, and how well it hooks potential readers.

Aesthetics: Overall vibe — the cohesion between title, cover, and blurb. Does everything match and give a strong first impression?

Basically, this is your book's red carpet moment. Make it pop.

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Round 2—The First Cut

This is where your writing takes the spotlight. I'll read about 10k words to see if your story actually delivers on the promise of your premise.

What I'll Be Looking At:

Hook: Does the story grab me from the start, or does it wander? I want to be invested within the first few pages.

Opening: Clear setup, engaging tone, and smooth pacing. No info dumps or whiplash shifts, please.

Character Introduction: Are your main players introduced in a memorable, natural way? Do they feel alive already?

Concept: How strong and fresh is your premise once I'm inside the actual story? Does it feel cohesive—or like it's still finding itself?

Writing Quality: Grammar, clarity, rhythm, and flow. Does your prose sound confident and intentional?

Think of this as your audition tape.

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Round 3—The Purge

We're past first impressions. Now I'm deep enough to see what your story really has under the hood.

What I'll Be Looking At:

Character Development: Are your characters evolving? Do their choices make sense for who they are?

Pacing: Does the story flow naturally, or drag and rush in weird places?

Plot Consistency: Are there logical connections—or are things starting to fall apart? I'll notice if you skip steps or drop threads.

Show, Don't Tell: I want to see emotions and tension through actions and dialogue, not be told what to feel.

This round separates the stories with potential from the ones that slay.

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Round 4—Endgame

We're in the endgame now (always wanted to say that!) Now it's all about excellence. This is where I'm reading the rest of your story (or at least another 10k words) and judging how well you deliver the finale.

What I'll Be Looking At:

Further Plot & Character Development: Do your storylines and characters reach satisfying conclusions or powerful turning points?

World-Building: Whether your setting is realistic or fantastical, does it feel alive? Are the details immersive without overwhelming?

Emotional Resonance: When I finish reading, do I feel something? That's what seals the win.

This is where good stories become legends.

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There you have it, guys—the breakdown, the rounds, and the criteria.

Now please, make me obsessed with your stories. Blow my mind and ruin my sleep schedule because your characters won't leave my head.

Remember—The Ink Games aren't just about surviving. They're about standing out.

May your ink never run dry (or your fingers never tire to hit the keys)—and may the best story win!

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