University of Florida Launches HIV/AIDS Graphic Novel Contest

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In collaboration with the Sequential Artists Workshop (SAW), the University of Florida's Health Science Center libraries are hosting a graphic novel contest to promote HIV/AIDS education resources. They'll be taking the top submissions and publishing them in a collection that will be shared throughout Gainesville and Jacksonville.

SAW will host a workshop on HIV/AIDS health information and creating graphic novels on Tuesday, June 13 from 6-9 p.m. at the New SAW Building, 710 SE 2nd St., Gainesville, FL 32601. Please join them and learn some new skills.

The contest runs through August 5. The graphic novel must feature a story linked to HIV/AIDS, and must contain accurate health information. Mentioning sex is appropriate, but entries featuring explicit depictions of sex will be disqualified. Submissions should be between 3-9 pages long. Limit one entry per contestant. Winners will be announced no later than October 31. Monetary prizes will be awarded for top submissions.

Guidelines for HIV/AIDS Graphic Novel Contest

Contest Period:

  • The contest opens on June 1, 2017 and closes on August 5, 2017.
  • Submissions received after August 5, 2017 will not be considered for inclusion in the contest.

    Eligibility:

  • Contestants must be over the age of 18.
  • Submissions can be the work of either one contestant or a small group of contestants.
  • While a workshop on HIV/AIDS health information and creating graphic novels will be available to contest participants and community members on [June 2017], contestants do NOT need to attend the workshop in order to participate in the contest.
  • All entries must be original works.�

    Content:

  • Graphic novel must feature a story linked to HIV/AIDS.
  • Only submissions with accurate health information will be considered.
  • Suggested sources for factual content about HIV/AIDS include:
    https://www.aids.gov/
    https://aidsinfo.nih.gov/
    https://aids.nlm.nih.gov/
    https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/
  • Questions about HIV/AIDS should be addressed to [email protected]
  • While mentioning sex is appropriate in a story related to HIV/AIDS, explicit depictions of sex will be disqualified. This collaboration will be distributed to the community and should focus on spreading the educational message.

    Use of Entries:

  • Contest participants maintain copyright in their work and will be able to share and reproduce it as they choose.
  • University of Florida Health Science Center Library (UF HSCL) will be granted a non-exclusive permission to reproduce the submitted work for the purpose of health information outreach on HIV/AIDS to the community at the University of Florida, Gainesville, and Alachua County and related advertising, presentations, or publications.
  • The top submissions will be featured in a publication by the UF HSCL, to be distributed to Gainesville and the greater Alachua County community.

    Submission:

  • Entries can be submitted online to [email protected] as a high-quality JPEG or PDF file or delivered in person to the HSCL Information Desk. While we would prefer submissions to be sized in a standard ratio of 2x3 (e.g. 11x17, 10x15, 8.5x11, etc.), submissions will not be rejected based on size. If you would like more information about comic page sizing, consider using Phillip Ginn's Comic Page Sizing Guides: https://gumroad.com/phillipginn
  • Submissions should include a Contest Entry and Permissions Form. Only submissions with a fully completed entry and release form will be considered.
  • Submissions should be between 3-8 pages long.
  • Limit of one entry per contestant.

    Judging:

  • Submissions will be evaluated on the clarity, accuracy, and creativity of the health information message and the most effective narrative pairing of words and image.
  • Submissions with incorrect health information will immediately be disqualified.

    Winner Notification:

  • Winners will be announced by email before October 31, 2017.
  • Monetary prizes will be awarded for top submissions in gratitude for participation in this collaborative project.


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