“The kingdom of poetry has collapsed from within … Redemption is not a reward for existence, but the last way out for a person whose path, as Kafka puts it, ‘has been blocked by their own … front ribs.’”
—Walter Benjamin
To foster the continued production of more and better criticism and research on animation, comics and games (ACG), and encourage exchange among critics and researchers, Lab on Roof has decided to hold an annual call for ACG submissions, beginning in 2020, under the name Rags Drum 2020.
Scope and Format Requirements
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Original essays offering analysis, criticism or comparative research on works, creators, histories, industries and other phenomena in video games, animation and comics (from any country, including fan works and other derivative works), from perspectives including philosophy and the social sciences, the humanities and arts, technology and media, and industry and production. Submissions consisting solely of translations or game guides are not accepted.
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We recommend following an academic paper format, providing notes and citations, a summary, keywords and references, but this is not compulsory. Submissions may take the form of written essays, video essays or audio recordings. Submissions may be in Chinese, English or Japanese, though Simplified Chinese is recommended. Authors must affirm that their submissions are their own original work, have not been and will not be used for commercial purposes, and follow accepted academic standards in citing materials, ideas and other sources. If plagiarism or misappropriation is discovered, whether before or after selection, the organizers will publicly announce the findings and revoke any award, reclaiming any payment already made.
Procedures and Participation
To make submissions more flexible and allow more critics and researchers to join this festival, there will be two tracks:
1. Entering the “Pre-Festival” Only
Eligibility: Previously published original work by the author that has not been used for commercial purposes (commercial use includes first publication in a commercial media outlet for payment); unpublished original work by the author that has not been used for commercial purposes.
Submission format: Both types must be submitted as complete texts or finished works.
Schedule:
- May 11: Submissions to the “Pre-Festival” open on the event’s first day.
- August 1: Entry deadline for both tracks.
- August 7: Accepted “Pre-Festival” submissions will be announced, including entries in the “Pre-Festival” only and those entered for both the “Pre-Festival” and the “Post-Festival.” The “Pre-Festival” ends and the “Post-Festival” begins.
Judging:
The organizers will promptly forward submissions entered only for the “Pre-Festival” to the judging panel upon receipt.
The panel will decide whether to accept a submission by majority approval, prioritizing originality, intellectual depth and critical engagement.
Publication and payment:
Once the panel has reached a decision on a submission entered only for the “Pre-Festival,” the organizers will contact the author as soon as possible with the result. Accepted submissions will promptly be scheduled for publication across Lab on Roof’s platform accounts.
The organizers will pay approximately RMB 200–300 for each accepted submission.
2. Entering the “Pre-Festival” + “Post-Festival” in Sequence
Eligibility: Unpublished original work by the author that has not been used for commercial purposes.
Submission format: For the “Pre-Festival,” entries may be submitted as summaries of 200–500 characters; complete texts or finished works are also welcome. For the “Post-Festival,” entries must be submitted as complete texts or finished works, and must remain consistent with the topic submitted to the “Pre-Festival.” Only submissions accepted in the “Pre-Festival” may proceed to the “Post-Festival.”
Schedule:
- May 11: Submissions for the “Pre-Festival” + “Post-Festival” track open on the event’s first day.
- August 1: Entry deadline for both tracks.
- August 7: All accepted “Pre-Festival” submissions will be announced together, including entries in the “Pre-Festival” only and those entered for both the “Pre-Festival” and the “Post-Festival.” The “Pre-Festival” ends and the “Post-Festival” begins accepting submissions.
- October 7: Entry deadline for the “Post-Festival,” the second half of the “Pre-Festival” + “Post-Festival” track.
- Second half of October: All accepted “Post-Festival” submissions will be announced together. The “Post-Festival” ends, bringing the entire event to a close.
Judging:
The organizers will promptly forward submissions entered for both the “Pre-Festival” and the “Post-Festival” to the judging panel upon receipt.
The panel will decide whether to accept a submission by unanimous approval, prioritizing originality, intellectual depth and critical engagement.
Publication and payment:
For the “Pre-Festival” + “Post-Festival” track, accepted submissions will be announced together on August 7 and October 7, respectively, based on the panel’s decisions. Accepted submissions will then promptly be scheduled for publication across Lab on Roof’s platform accounts.
For the “Pre-Festival” + “Post-Festival” track, when the number of accepted submissions is ≥5, the organizers will pay RMB (10,000 / number of accepted submissions) for each accepted submission. When the number accepted is 0–4, the organizers will pay RMB 2,000 for each accepted submission.
Submission methods for both tracks (choose either):
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Email your submission, including your QQ contact details, to lab_on_roof@163.com.
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Join the event’s QQ group, upload your submission to the group files and notify the organizers: 254735319.
If exceptional circumstances prevent you from submitting by either method, please send a private message to Lab on Roof’s Zhihu or Bilibili account to discuss an alternative.
Judging Panel
- 马小掛, ACG enthusiast.
- 钟子默, ACG enthusiast.
- 塔塔君, ACG enthusiast.
- rocefactor, ACG enthusiast.
- 屋顶第七任所长, ACG enthusiast.
Other Matters
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For accepted submissions entered only for the “Pre-Festival,” Lab on Roof requires only non-exclusive permission from the author to publish the work across its platform accounts, without requiring Lab on Roof to publish it first. For accepted submissions entered for both the “Pre-Festival” and the “Post-Festival,” Lab on Roof requires only non-exclusive permission from the author to publish the work across its platform accounts, with first publication by Lab on Roof. All rights under copyright not specified here remain with the original author.
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To foster the continued production of more and better ACG criticism and research, and encourage exchange among critics and researchers, Lab on Roof may adapt accepted submissions into video essays or other formats. Lab on Roof will notify authors and obtain their consent before doing so, and the authors’ relevant rights under copyright will be protected in the video essays.
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We thank 唯一指定真实August_Rush for creating the posters and promotional video for this event, and thank the critics, researchers, groups and platforms that have offered helpful suggestions and generous support.
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Given our limited experience in organizing events, the organizers reserve the right to interpret and change the event’s procedures, rules and related arrangements to the fullest extent permitted by laws, regulations and platform rules. We ask all critics, researchers and readers to take note of this, and we appreciate your understanding.
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We welcome all readers, critics and researchers to share this announcement and information about the event, spread the word, join the discussion and submit your work!
