Guest Blogger: Chuck SambuchinoTo celebrate the release of the brand-new 2012 Guide to Literary Agents, I am bringing back one of my most popular recurring contests: The “Worst Storyline Ever” Contest. Except this time, it’s hosted on Rachelle’s blog. So if you’re looking for an agent and want a big database, check out the book. And if you’ve got a horrible idea for a story, I want to hear about it. Welcome to the “Worst Storyline Ever” Contest—a competition that encourages terrible loglines.
A logline is a one-sentence line that explains what your story is about and shows the “hook” – the unique idea that makes people want to see more. You see loglines all the time on the back of DVD boxes. Here are some examples:
But that’s all the examples I’m going to give you, because I’m not looking for good examples of a logline; I’m looking for bad examples. Nay – terrible, stupid, “oh-my-gosh-that-idea-REEKS” examples.
Examples of Bad Loglines (Previous Winners/Finalists):
1. “After an unidentified cow swallows an armed nuclear device in a botched Homeland Security raid, Agent Tom Anderson is thrust into an unlikely partnership with buxom organic farmer Daisy Jones to sift through three hundred cows and 10 barns full of manure as the clock runs down in a desperate quest to save Kansas City from a moo-clear disaster.”
2. “A young woman discovers she is half unicorn after farting a rainbow at her bat mitzvah, and must go on a hijinx-filled voyage of self discovery to find her real father and fit as ‘one of the herd.’ “
3. “Leonard the narcoleptic snail sets out on his lifelong dream of running the Boston Marathon while humming ‘Macarena,’ and invites you to join the excitement in real time.”
Here are the rules:
- Stick to the format, but have fun with the idea. You want your logline to be one sentence only and must be 60 words or fewer, and explain what the movie/book is about. It’s what you put in that one sentence that will win you this competition. So the trick is to make your logline a terribly creative idea that’s pitched in a minimal, professional manner.
- The contest will go until the end of the day, 11:59 p.m., PST, Tues, Oct. 3, 2011. Submissions received after that will not be considered.
- I will judge the contest, with some possible input from other WD and WD Books staffers.
- To participate, simply click on “Comments” at the end of this post and leave your submission as a comment with your full name and e-mail. You must include your e-mail. If you are super paranoid about leaving your name, use “L. Martin Smith” instead of “Leonard Smith.”
- You can submit up to two (2) bad loglines. You can include both in the same comment post as you wish.
- The contest is open to everyone of all ages, save those employees, officers and directors of GLA’s publisher, F+W Media (formerly F+W Publications).
- If you have any questions about the contest, do not leave them in the comments and do not e-mail Rachelle. E-mail me directly at literaryagent@fwmedia.com
The Prizes:1) A query letter critique from me. 2) A copy of the 2012 Guide to Literary Agents. 3) Praise on this blog from yours truly.
A copy of the 2012 Guide to Literary Agents.
Good luck!!!
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Chuck Sambuchino is an editor and a writer. He edits Guide to Literary Agents as well as Children’s Writers & Illustrator’s Market. His humor book, How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack, was released in Sept. 2010. The film rights were recently optioned by Sony and director Robert Zemeckis. Besides that, he is a produced playwright, magazine freelancer, husband, cover band guitarist, chocolate chip cookie fiend, and owner of a flabby-yet-lovable dog named Graham.
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