If we ignore the attitude of revolt that the present generation adopts toward what has gone before, … then it is impossible to understand the works of today. … To occupy the theater for different kinds of audiences: this is both a task and an opportunity.
—Bertolt Brecht
To foster the reproduction of more—and better—criticism and research on anime, comics, and games, and to encourage exchange among the writers who produce it, Lab on Roof has decided to continue its annual ACG writing initiative in 2021 with a second edition, under the name Rags Drum 2021.
Fields and Submission Formats
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We invite original critical essays or comparative research on video games, animation, and comics—their works, creators, histories, industries, and related phenomena—from such perspectives as philosophy and the social sciences, the humanities and arts, technology and media, and industry and production. There is no geographical restriction, and derivative works are included. Straight translations and strategy guides will not be accepted.
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We recommend, but do not require, that submissions follow an academic format by providing citations and notes, an abstract, keywords, a bibliography, and so forth. Submissions may take the form of a written essay, video essay, or audio recording. They may be submitted in Chinese, English, or Japanese, although Simplified Chinese is recommended. Authors must affirm that their submissions are original, have not been and will not be used commercially, and employ quoted materials and ideas in accordance with reasonable academic standards. If plagiarism or misappropriation is discovered either before or after judging, the organizers will announce the matter and require repayment of any honorarium already paid.
Schedule and Procedures
To make submission more flexible and allow more writers to take part in this festival, the event is divided into two tracks.
1. Eve Festival Only
Eligibility: Original work by the author that has already been published but has not been used commercially—for example, first publication by a commercial outlet in exchange for a fee—or original work by the author that has not yet been published and has not been used commercially.
Submission: Both kinds of work must be submitted as a complete, finished piece.
Schedule:
May 11: submissions to the Eve Festival open on the first day of the event.
August 1: submissions close for both tracks.
August 7: qualifying Eve Festival submissions are announced, including both Eve Festival–only entries and entries continuing from the Eve Festival into the After Festival. The Eve Festival closes and the After Festival begins.
Judging:
During the Eve Festival stage, the jury will decide whether a submission qualifies by majority vote, guided by an emphasis on originality, intellectual substance, and critical force.
Publication and honoraria:
Once an Eve Festival–only entry has been judged, the organizers will contact its author as soon as possible with the result. Qualifying entries will then be scheduled promptly for publication across Lab on Roof’s accounts on different platforms.
Each qualifying entry will receive an honorarium of approximately RMB 200–300.
2. Eve Festival ＋ After Festival
Eligibility: Original work by the author that has not yet been published and has not been used commercially.
Submission: For the Eve Festival, entrants may submit a synopsis of 200–500 characters, although a complete, finished piece is also welcome. For the After Festival, a complete, finished piece is required, and its subject must remain consistent with the Eve Festival submission. Only authors whose Eve Festival entries qualified may enter the After Festival.
Schedule:
May 11: submissions to the Eve Festival ＋ After Festival track open on the first day of the event.
August 1: submissions close for both tracks.
August 7: qualifying Eve Festival submissions are announced, including both Eve Festival–only entries and entries continuing from the Eve Festival into the After Festival. The Eve Festival closes and the After Festival begins. The titles and authors of After Festival entries are announced across Lab on Roof’s accounts as submissions are accepted.
October 7: submissions to the After Festival close, concluding the second half of the Eve Festival ＋ After Festival track.
Second half of October: qualifying After Festival entries are announced together. The After Festival closes, bringing the event to an end.
Judging:
During the After Festival stage, the jury will decide whether a submission qualifies by unanimous vote, guided by an emphasis on originality, intellectual substance, and critical force.
Publication and honoraria:
Qualifying entries in the Eve Festival ＋ After Festival track will be announced together on August 7 and October 7, respectively, and will subsequently be published across Lab on Roof’s accounts on different platforms.
If five or more entries qualify in the Eve Festival ＋ After Festival track, the organizers will pay each qualifying entry an honorarium of RMB 10,000 divided by the number of qualifying entries. If zero to four entries qualify, the honorarium will be RMB 2,000 per qualifying entry.
How to submit to either track (choose either method):
- Email the submission to lab_on_roof@163.com, including a QQ contact.
- Join the event QQ group, upload the submission to the group files, and notify the organizers (recommended): 771994970.
If exceptional circumstances make both methods impossible, please contact Lab on Roof privately through its Zhihu or video-platform account to discuss an alternative.
Jury
will, ACG enthusiast.
马小褂, ACG enthusiast.
有电拍拍, ACG enthusiast.
rocefactor, ACG enthusiast.
屋顶第十一任所长, ACG enthusiast.
Other Provisions
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For a qualifying Eve Festival–only entry, Lab on Roof asks only for a nonexclusive license that does not require first publication across its accounts on different platforms. For a qualifying entry in the Eve Festival ＋ After Festival track, Lab on Roof asks only for a nonexclusive license for first publication across those accounts. All rights not specified here remain with the original author.
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To foster the reproduction of more—and better—criticism and research on anime, comics, and games, Lab on Roof may adapt qualifying entries into video essays or other forms. The author will be informed and their consent obtained before any such adaptation begins, and their relevant rights in the video essay will be protected.
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We thank 唯一指定真实August_Rush for producing the event posters and promotional video, and the writers, communities, and platforms who offered generous advice and sincere assistance.
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Because the organizers have limited experience running events of this kind, they reserve the right, to the fullest extent permitted by law and platform rules, to interpret and amend the event’s procedures, schedule, and other provisions. We ask writers and readers for their understanding.
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We welcome every reader and writer to share the announcement and event information, spread the word, join the discussion, and submit work!
Appendix
Mission Accomplished: Rags Drum 2020 Annual Call — Final Results