This month I thought I’d go easy on you and let you have a little more free reign over your work.

Criteria for May’s Shell Case Shorts is a wargaming IP (as always) but this time it can be anything you like. Fantasy, Steampunk, Sci-fi, you name it. Really go nuts guys as I appreciate the restrictions have been tough for some of you and as this is about inclusion and fun I wanted to let you off the leash.

This months prize is courtesy of the awesome James Swallow and is a signed copy of the outstanding Faith & Fire.
You can read my interview with James here.

Rules are as follows:

Your work is your own but intellectual property rests squarely with the companies in question and is only used under fair use. I reserve the right to publish any submissions in a strictly non-profit capacity. All published writers will be credited accordingly.

Submissions should attempt to evoke the IP the story is based on.

Word limit is 3,000 – 5,000 words.

All entries must be received by midnight Thursday 31st May2012 after which a single winner will be chosen. Submissions received after this will not be considered.

1 submission per person.

Work believed to be plagiarised will be disqualified.

All submissions must be sent as a Word document attached to an email to phil@theshellcase.com

[Any spam from entrants will result in disqualification]

Submissions must include at the top of the first page; the entrants name, a contact email address, Twitter name if applicable and the title of the story.

1 winner will be chosen and notified by email.

The winning entry will be published initially on The Shell Case blog and later in a free to download anthology.

No discussion will be entered into, my decision is final.

The prize may not be exchanged for its cash value or an alternative. However, I reserve the right to substitute the prize if necessary.

Good luck and have fun!