3 Mad Cave Studios Talent Search Tips!
Newsletter #2 - Some insight on a previous winners approach
Mad Cave Studios annual talent search’s deadline is fast approaching — July 1st, 2022. This year, the contest is run a bit differently, though: “The eight winners (two writers, two artists, two colorists, and two letterers)” as opposed to the previous years winners being four artists and four writers. If you’re thinking about entering this year, these tips and insight to my approach to winning in 2021 MIGHT help you out as a writer!
Let me preface this by saying that I am not the only voice and writer worth talking to — previous winners like David Hazan, Jarred Lujan, Stonie Williams, Dylan Essex, and Anna Everts are all active on Twitter and other social media sites and offer a wealth of knowledge on this topic.
In 2022, Mad Cave stated that your submission can be set in any Mad Cave title universe (Battlecats, Nottingham, Stargazer, etc.) In 2021, they specified it must be set in the Wolvenheart universe, so that’s where most, if not all, my talking points will be about. Before we get into it, please consider subscribing and sharing if you dig this!
Tip #1: Familiarize Yourself with the Comic/Universe You’re Writing
Wolvenheart is an organization that monitors and eliminates threats, monsters, and anomalies throughout space and time — each issue you’ll see bad ass, familiar monsters including werewolves, vampires, and other Victorian/Gothic creatures and Wolvenheart taking them out. After I read the first volume, I used this knowledge as a springboard to jumpstart my 10-page story. Read at least a few issues, learn the ins and outs of the universe, and use that to your advantage and as INSPIRATION. It may be helpful to reference events, characters, or even sound effects (I went so far as to using the “SKKTZZ” sound effect) from the stories you write from.
I was able to read the other winners (Dylan Essex, Sabs Cooper, and Anna Everts) submissions as well and all of our stories had cool stuff from Wolvenheart, like dimension hopping and/or thrilling action sequences, etc. With that being said…
Tip #2: Don’t Feel Pressured to Use Specific Characters from the Comics
In my submission, I used a supporting character from Wolvenheart, Van Helsing. I loved the character from original comic, so I tried to get his voice, accent, mannerisms, and motivations right — I loved writing him! But the antagonist that I had oppose him was Dr. Frankenstein, himself — a character that, to my knowledge, had not appeared in the issues of the series that I had read. I wanted to create an physically imposing, sinister, ruthless, and “original” character for Helsing to take on, and I think I did just that.
Additionally, I was able to read the other winners submissions that year (Dylan Essex, Sabs Cooper, and Anna Everts) and we all had VASTLY different takes and stories. I believe all three of their submissions had mostly original characters that they implemented into the Wolvenheart universe with fantastic execution. You can actually read Anna’s submission on their site, www.peculiarplanets.com!
Tips #3: Write an Original, Engaging, and Well-Told Story
Overall, I think they’re mostly looking for a great, eye-catching, creative, and well-told story . Like I said before, all four winners in 2021 had incredibly different stories but all were engaging, well-told, well-structured, and COMPLETE. My story started with a cold-open with a character being flung through a door and shattering it into pieces but yours doesn’t have to. Trust your writing, get some feedback, and make sure it’s a complete story with engaging characters taking on an engaging conflict.
Final Thoughts
Again, reach out to others and other winners! My approach surely isn’t the only way to get it done. Trust yourself, trust your writing, BELIEVE IN YOURSELF and TAKE THE SHOT. I believe the deadline is July 1st. You got this. Good luck! Shoutout to the homie Brian Hawkins.
Peace and much love <3