#Japan #Minato #SMARTOON #Piccoma #Novel Contest

Piccoma's Exciting New Opportunity

Piccoma, operated by Kakao Piccoma, is thrilled to announce the launch of the "4th Piccoma Novel Awards Special Edition: SMARTOON original novel contest" beginning September 10, 2026, and running until November 4, 2026. This contest is a fantastic opportunity for both aspiring and established writers to showcase their creative talents and possibly have their stories turned into captivating SMARTOON content.

Key Features of the Contest

1. Guaranteed Novel Serialization: All submissions that successfully pass the judging process will be serialized on Piccoma. This promises authors that their stories will reach an engaged audience.

2. Guaranteed SMARTOON Adaptation: Not only will successful works be serialized, but every piece that makes it through the evaluation will also be transformed into a SMARTOON, which is a new format optimized for smart devices, merging comic and animated storytelling.

3. No Upper Limit on Passed Works: For this contest, there is no cap on the number of works that can pass the review process. This means that any eligible story that meets the criteria will have a chance to shine, without being at a disadvantage compared to competitors.

4. Re-submission of Previous Works Allowed: Authors who have previously submitted works to the Piccoma Novel Awards can re-submit if they have revised their pieces to align with the current themes, giving them a second chance to impress the judges.

Contest Themes

The contest will focus on three specific themes, carefully selected based on previous successes in submissions and adaptation rates:

1. For Males: Western-style Fantasy with a Strong Protagonist. The stories should start from the protagonist's personal desires for revenge or rising to power and not rely on pre-existing omnipotent abilities. We are looking for intricate narratives that detail the growth of the protagonist through effort and experience.

2. For Females: Western-style Romantic Fantasy focused on Marriage. The narrative should not end at the marriage but rather begin with it. Compelling tales where the heroine finds herself in an unwanted marriage and gradually transforms her predicament using her capabilities will be favored.

3. For Females: Western-style Romantic Fantasy featuring a Villainess or Antagonist. These narratives should be set in a rich world where social hierarchies and political maneuvers are key components. The heroine should wield her knowledge and skills to alter her destiny and seek retribution against those who wronged her.

For an in-depth exploration of these themes, visit the contest's webpage.

Schedule

The detailed timeline for the contest is as follows:

• - Submission Period: September 10, 2026, at 11:00 AM - November 4, 2026, at 10:00 AM.
• - Judging Period: November 9, 2026, at 00:00 AM - December 4, 2026, at 11:59 PM.
• - Announcement of Results: Expected in late January 2027.

Application Guidelines

Submissions can be made by both seasoned authors and amateurs. Each story should consist of 20 chapters, ranging from 2,000 to 8,000 words each, totaling at least 60,000 words. Authors can submit their incomplete works, allowing for creativity and flexibility in storytelling.

For more details, visit the official application site. The contest offers incomparable support to writers seeking to connect with an audience and potentially share their work in a vibrant digital landscape inspired by SMARTOON.

Conclusion

This contest is a special opportunity aimed at connecting with the stories that resonate with Piccoma’s audience. By promising serialization and adaptation to SMARTOON formats, Piccoma hopes to discover and uplift new voices in literature. Whether you're a new writer eager to share your voice or an experienced author revisiting old favorites, the SMARTOON novel contest invites you to participate and take your shot at storytelling fame!