A chance for serialization and book publication with the new label "OZcomics"!! We are calling for comic essay submissions

In collaboration with Starts Publishing's new comic label "OZcomics," we are holding a comic essay submission contest "#ComicEssayGrandPrize".

We are looking for a wide range of manga works that provide readers with insights, empathy, healing, and energy by conveying various "lifestyles that are true to oneself" through not only human relationships but also food, animals, housing, and more.

Winners will be awarded prizes according to their placement, including web serialization on OZcomics, prize money, and discussions regarding book publication.

About "OZcomics"

Application Requirements

Schedule

Submission period: November 5, 2024 (Tue) - January 13, 2025 (Mon) 23:59
Announcement: Scheduled for late February 2025

Works Wanted

■ Required work: Comic essay
*Fiction is also accepted as long as it is in essay format.

■Required genre: Works depicting "daily life" primarily targeting female readers

We are looking for works that combine the following themes.
#Food
From cooking, home meals, snacks, and drinks to dining out at restaurants and cafes. Everything related to food. Stories that heal daily fatigue through food and help you look forward, or stories where you are saved by food when lost in life. Works that include recipes you'll want to try, feature real shops, or contain elements you can incorporate into your own daily life are very welcome.
#Cats #Animals
Stories about meeting your beloved cat or common cat experiences, stories that make you chuckle from the perspective of anthropomorphized cats or animals, or stories featuring animals that rival cats or fictional animal protagonists. We are waiting for works that range from those that simply heal and warm the reader's heart, to those where readers empathize with the anthropomorphized cats or animals, thinking, "I wish such beings existed."

#AdultGirlsLife We are looking for stories depicting the daily lives of women who, no matter their age, live while chatting about trivial things with female friends, sisters, or childhood friends. While there is a way of life that involves marrying a man and building a family, we are looking for works that depict lives without men, such as living freely in a room-share, or days spent enjoying "oshi-katsu" (supporting a favorite idol/character) with female friends from student days... Please depict characters who live supported by female friendship. We are waiting for works about women who are tired of the roles expected of them by society or men... and who are released from such troubles to live as their true, unadorned selves with their female friends.

#LifestyleTrueToOneself

We are looking for stories about adults living alone who pursue their hobbies and passions, or protagonists who enjoy a lifestyle that is true to themselves and different from the so-called "normal" of society. We are waiting for works with a protagonist who stands out, or that include ideas or item introductions that readers will want to imitate after reading the episodes of a protagonist living positively. *Works that combine the above themes are very welcome!

■ Page count: No limit (For serialized works, please include a link to the next episode in the first episode)

Only original works that you have created yourself and for which you hold the copyright can be submitted. Please refrain from submitting derivative works or similar content for which you have not obtained permission from the copyright holder (these will not be reviewed by the editorial department).

Prizes

Grand Prize: 1 work
100,000 yen prize money
Discussion with the editorial department regarding OZmall serialization or book publication

Excellence Award: 1 work
50,000 yen prize money

Special Jury Award: Number of works undecided
10,000 yen prize money

The OZcomics editorial department will contact the winners.

How to Apply

1. Create a note account or log in

2. Click the "Post" button to create an article (select "Text" or "Image")
   * For the app, please select "Write a note" or "Image" from the "Create" button.

3. Insert image files of your manga or illustration work in the editor (article editing screen)
   * Please see the help page for details on how to post images.
   * Please note that files uploaded as zip or PDF files are not accepted.

4. Add the hashtag #ComicEssayAward and post your article

Comment from the OZcomics Editorial Department

Regarding the use of submitted content

Submitted content may be introduced on the websites or official social media of OZcomics and the novel submission sites "Noichigo", "Berry's Cafe", and "Novema!". We will also introduce them on note's official X (Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, etc.
We look forward to your submissions!