Musicology Anthology (Survey)

Reading ModePrint
(40)
by jeffMail Icon
Rated: 13+ · Survey Form · Contest · #1377819

An annual challenge to write a short story collection based on an album! Runs April-June.

CONTEST DEADLINE:
[Refresh to load countdown.]
"The Soundtrackers Group"  proudly presents
Musicology Banner

"Music is the literature of the heart; it commences where speech ends."
          - Alphonse de Lamartine


Item Alias: musicology



Whatever your musical tastes may be, most of us can agree that music plays an integral part in our lives. Many of us can remember where we were or what we were doing when we heard a particular song, of how it inspired us, brought us to tears, or made us giddy with happiness. This contest hopes to recapture those memories by encouraging you to listen to a favorite album again and allow the songs to inspire your creativity through writing.

Special shout-out to satet who created this activity and allowed us to bring it under the Soundtrackers banner. *Party*

~ Rules/Guidelines ~

*Music1* You are required to create a FOLDER or BOOK item specifically for this contest. You can submit it now (while you're still working on your entries), or once everything is complete. Your choice!

*Music1* The title of the folder or book must include the name of the album you have chosen.

*Music1* In the body section of your folder or the header section of your book item (as applicable), include an introduction about the album. Tell us why the album is significant to you, why you chose it, a little about its history if you want, etc.

*Music1* The title of each story you write must have the title of a song from the album.

*Music1* This is a contest for short stories and flash fiction only. No poetry or nonfiction will be accepted.

*Music1* All songs in the album must be used (the judges will do research just to be sure).

*Music1* Lyrics of each song and/or an embedded YouTube link to the song should be placed at beginning or end of the story if possible. Lyrics do not count toward the total word count.

*Music1* Each story should not exceed 2,500 words. Please include a word count with each story.

*Music1* Each story must not exceed a GC rating.

*Music1* Stories may be connected to each other or may stand alone.

*Music1* Judging will be based on overall quality of the anthology and not the individual strength of any particular story.

*Music1* Judge(s) reserve the right to either rate/review every story individually, or provide one overall rating/review for the collection as a whole. Since judges have a lot to read, please do not expect detailed reviews.

*Music1* The judge for this round of the contest is: jeff

*Music1* Once judging commences on July 1st, you may NOT edit your item(s). Any items modified after 11:59pm WDC time on June 30th will be disqualified.

*Music1* Entries will be judged on the individual merits of each story (e.g., premise, story, characterization, dialogue, structure, technical issues, etc.) as well as how well they work together (either as continuations of the same serialized story, or standalone stories that reflect each individual song on the album). Please be sure to keep all of this in mind while writing and editing your stories.

*Music1* Synergy Bonus. While there is no minimum track count requirement for this contest, if you do happen to select an album with 10 or more songs and complete the challenge, you will meet the eligibility criteria for Best Short Story Collection over at "The Quills" ! This does not mean that you will automatically be nominated for a Quill if you meet the criteria, just that you would be eligible to be nominated in a category that can be very hard to find entries for, if you're up to the challenge of selecting an album with ten more more tracks.

Note: If your entries do NOT meet the requirements or guidelines set forth above, they will be disqualified. If you have any questions, please email jeffMail Icon.
~ Backstage Passes ~

Anyone who submits a complete anthology will receive the exclusive Musicology Anthology Merit Badge!
Merit Badge in Musicology Anthology [Click For More Info] Thanks for your most generous donation to [Link To Item #1377819] with your fantastic fundraiser [Link To Item #1546312] ! It's very much appreciated! *^*Bigsmile*^*


In addition, if there are three (3) or more qualifying entries, the following will be awarded:

          *Trophyg* FIRST PLACE
                    175,000 GP Gold Medal/Blue Ribbon Awardicon
                    100,000 GPs


If there are six (6) or more qualifying entries, the following will also be awarded:

          *Trophys* SECOND PLACE
                    174,000 GP Silver Medal/Red Ribbon Awardicon
                    75,000 GPs


If there are nine (9) or more qualifying entries, the following will also be awarded:

          *Trophyb* THIRD PLACE
                    173,000 GP Bronze Medal/White Ribbon Awardicon
                    50,000 GPs


Honorable Mentions will be given out at the judges' discretion:

          *RibbonG* HONORABLE MENTIONS
                    Awardicon (value at judges' discretion)
                    25,000 GPs
~ Donations ~

Want the exclusive Musicology Anthology merit badge without writing anything? Just want to support The WDC Soundtrackers and our various activities? Anyone who donates 100,000 GPs or more during the contest round (i.e., the months of April, May, and June) will receive the exclusive Musicology Anthology merit badge.

Donations made during other times of the year that active contests are running will receive that challenge's custom badge. Donations made during the "off season" when no activities are currently running will receive a Music merit badge. For example, you can only donate to get the Resurrection Jukebox badge in October, the WDC Soundtrackers badge in February, etc.

Please send all donations to "The Soundtrackers Group"  (Group #1979333).
Donors ▶︎
 
~ The Lineup ~


"Comalies"  [18+] by jeremy
    Every oath is a noose tightening over time. Every empire is a graveyard with banners.


"City To City"  [18+] by daveryan
    Short stories prompted by song titles from the album "City To City" (Gerry Rafferty, 1978)


"Origins"  [ASR] by greenwillow
    16 short stories built around the 2018 ID album


"The Hurting"  [13+] by elfmage7
    Meeting a boy in the art room changes Lincoln's world. Each story inspired by music album.


"Nightstalkers Presents: Papercuts"  [GC] by lonewolf
    Stories based in the world of Nightstalkers inspired by Linkin Park.


"WIP: The Disappearance of the Girl"  [13+] by jeandavison
    Stories written for the Musicology Anthology 2026. Based on the album by artist Phildel.


"Honey Moonshine"  [18+] by jwhitedesigns
    Short stories for Musicology Anthology 2026


"Revolution Girl Style Now!"  [13+] by krista
    A collection of stories inspired by the song titles of Bikini Kill's 1991 album.


"Phantoms - for Musicology Anthology"  [18+] by kadishiraven
    A collection of stories written for Musicology Anthology.


"Hee Haw"  [GC] by vampyr14
    A collection of musically inspired stories for the Musicology Anthology


"Hysteria"  [18+] by tuozzo
    A short story anthology inspired by the album and song titles.


"Best of Kansas"  [GC] by horsekeeper
    This book will hold my collection of 13 stories


"Queen - A Night At The Opera"  [GC] by legerdemain
    Where music moves me. Here are my stories. Album #5


"Captain Morgans Revenge"  [E] by rickdean2
    The Defiance sails the high seas seeking plunder (and wenches!). God save any they cross.


~ Tour Dates ~


Concert Begins: April 1, 2026

Concert Ends: June 30, 2026
*Music2* Winners will be announced by August 31, 2026. *Music2*
Multiple submissions allowed | (R) denotes a required field.
     
      Check this box to agree with the above statement.
*Note* Disclaimer: The information submitted will be sent to jeff. Do not submit anything private or confidential.