Every cycle, approximately ten bardic submissions are automatically
disqualified due to being submitted with character errors associated
with using certain word processing programs.

PLEASE, for the sake of our eyes and for your chance at winning credits,
proof your article once more after you paste it into the submission box.
This is when the strange characters will appear instead of apostrophes
due to "smart-quotes" or simply because your word processor is not
compatible.

We have had to reject some wonderful written pieces on the simple basis
that it has gone against contest rules by being unreadable due to these
smart-quotes. They are an eyesore and not only do you lose valuable
points for each case, you will likely have your work disqualified
completely.


Some tips:

-Turn smartquotes off in your word processor
-Use a plain text notepad or wordpad program
-If you prefer to use a processor with spell checking, etc, once you are
done your proofing, cut and paste it into a plain text editor. This
should eradicate any smart-quote issues. You should then be able to
paste it into our submission form.
-Proof, proof and proof again once you have pasted it into the
submission form just to be triply sure.



Thank you!

Penned by my hand on the 3rd of Valnuary, in the year 462 AF.