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ABOUT THE CONTESTS
 

        Virefire Publishing is inviting artists, illustrators, and cover designers to help bring our upcoming publications to life through our Cover Art Contests.

        Artists may submit original artwork for one or more of our current contests. Selected entries will be showcased across Virefire Publishing's platforms, and our community will have the opportunity to participate in the selection process through voting on Patreon.

        One winning design will be selected for each publication.

        The winning artwork will become the official cover art for that publication.

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CURRENT COVER ART CONTESTS

 

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MITHOS & MAYHEM

Mythology & Lore Anthology

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         Gods. Monsters. Legends. Ancient civilizations. Forgotten deities and stories that refuse to die.

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        We are looking for artwork that captures the scope, mystery, danger, and wonder of mythology without limiting the anthology to one particular culture or tradition.

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        Think: ancient worlds, mythological symbolism, gods and monsters, forgotten temples, relics, legends, divine power, curses, and the collision between the ancient and the unknown.

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        Artists are encouraged to interpret the theme creatively.

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ARCANA AWAKENED

Serialized Tarot Anthology

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         Every card tells a story.
 

         Arcana Awakened explores the symbolism, archetypes, mysteries, fate, and imagery of the Tarot through fiction.
 

         We are looking for artwork capable of establishing the visual identity of the Arcana Awakened project while capturing the mystery and beauty of the Tarot.
 

         Think: cards, divination, celestial symbolism, fate, archetypes, occult-inspired imagery, transformation, mystery, and the unknown.
 

         The artwork should evoke the Tarot without simply reproducing an existing Tarot card design.

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WHISPERED WARNINGS

Folklore & Legends Anthology

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        Every warning began somewhere.

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         Whispered Warnings explores folklore, superstition, legends, cautionary tales, strange traditions, old beliefs, and the consequences of ignoring the things generations before us knew enough to fear.

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         We are looking for atmospheric artwork that captures the feeling of an old warning being passed from one generation to another.

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         Think: forests, lanterns, old roads, forgotten places, folklore creatures, superstition, symbols, rural legends, oral traditions, shadows, and things glimpsed just beyond the firelight.

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         We welcome inspiration from folklore traditions around the world.

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SUBMISSION   GUIDELINES

 

 

Who May Enter:
 

The contests are open to artists, illustrators, graphic artists, and cover designers.
 

Both established and emerging artists are welcome.
 

There is no entry fee.
 

Artists may enter more than one Virefire Publishing Cover Art Contest.

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ARTWORK   REQUIREMENTS
 

 

• ​Submitted artwork must be the entrant's own original work.
   

• Artwork should be created with book-cover reproduction in mind and should remain visually effective when reduced to thumbnail size.
   

• Please submit artwork in a high-resolution digital format suitable for review.
   

• Final production files may be requested from the winning artist before publication.
   

• Virefire Publishing may request reasonable adjustments necessary for final cover production, including typography placement, sizing, cropping, spine/back-cover integration, or formatting for different editions.
   

• Please do not place permanent title, author/editor, publisher, or other typography directly into the submitted illustration unless the contest specifically requests a complete cover design.
   

• This allows Virefire Publishing to format the final cover consistently for publication.

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AI-GENERATED    ARTWORK   POLICY

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         Artwork generated wholly or substantially through generative AI image-generation systems is not eligible for these contests.

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         Digital illustration, digital painting, photography, photo manipulation, 3D rendering, and other digital artistic methods are welcome provided the entrant has the legal right to use all incorporated elements.

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         Artists may be asked to provide reasonable evidence of their creative process if questions arise regarding authorship.

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RIGHTS AND COMPENSATION

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COPYRIGHT   &  ARTWORK   RIGHTS
 

 

         Artists retain copyright to their original artwork.
 

         Submitting artwork to a Virefire Publishing Cover Art Contest does not transfer ownership of the artwork to Virefire Publishing.
 

       By entering, artists grant Virefire Publishing permission to display their submitted artwork for purposes related to the contest, including promotion, social media features, website display, and community voting.
 

         The winning artist will grant Virefire Publishing the necessary license to reproduce and use the selected artwork as the official cover artwork for the applicable publication and for promotional materials associated with that publication.
 

         Specific publication rights and usage terms will be confirmed with the winning artist before final publication.

Virefire Publishing will not claim ownership of an artist's original artwork.

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COMMUNITY    VOTING

 

Qualifying entries may be showcased across Virefire Publishing's:

Facebook • TikTok • Substack • Patreon
 

• Community voting will take place through Virefire Publishing's Patreon.
   

• Voting is intended to involve our readers and community in the cover-selection process.
   

• Virefire Publishing reserves final approval of all winning artwork to ensure that the selected design meets publication requirements, contains no copyright or rights violations, and is appropriate for commercial publication.
   

• Attempts to manipulate voting through bots, fraudulent accounts, purchased votes, or similar methods may result in disqualification.

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WHAT  THE  WINNER  RECEIVES

 

Each winning artist will receive:

• Their artwork featured as the official cover art for the applicable Virefire Publishing publication

• Official Cover Artist Credit in the published book

• One complimentary copy of the finished publication featuring their artwork

• Featured artist promotion through Virefire Publishing's platforms

• Where appropriate, promotion may include the artist's professional website, portfolio, or social media information

• And, of course, the bragging rights of seeing their artwork become the face of a published book.

 

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SUBMISSION  DEADLINE

 

September 30, 2026
 

Late submissions may not be considered.
 

Voting dates and winner-announcement dates will be announced
by Virefire Publishing after the submission period closes.



 

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HOW  TO  SUBMIT

 

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Artists should submit through the official Virefire Publishing Cover Art Contest Submission Form.
 

Please be prepared to provide:

• Artist name

• Professional/artist name, if different

• Email address

• Contest being entered

• Artwork file

• Artwork title, if applicable

• Brief description of the concept

• Website, portfolio, or professional social media link, if desired

• Confirmation that the entrant created and owns the submitted artwork

• Agreement to the contest guidelines and promotional display of the entry
   

Artists entering multiple contests should submit each design separately.


 

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IMPORTANT 

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          Submission does not guarantee that an entry will advance to community voting or be selected for publication.
 

          Virefire Publishing reserves the right to decline artwork that does not meet the contest requirements, conflicts with the publication's creative direction, contains material the entrant does not have permission to use, or is otherwise unsuitable for publication.
 

          Virefire Publishing also reserves the right not to select a winner for a particular contest if no eligible submission meets publication requirements.
 

          By submitting artwork, entrants acknowledge that they have read and agree to these guidelines.