Thank you for your interest in becoming a judge for SDFA. All you need to do, is let me know the following information. You can email me here

Your name, your email, and what categories you would want to judge.

It's that simple. All I'd really like to say is please think very carefully about which categories and, more importantly how many categories you can afford to give up your time for. You shoud consider subject matter, as well as thinking about how many entries you will be judging. Some popular categories have many entries, so it is a must that you ensure that you have the time available to judge the category in its entirety, and true to the nature of the work. SDFA has always prided itself on the quality of its judging, and we've always ensured that only the best are awarded - that's why we do not award runners up prizes. You need to be prepared to be ruthless but fair, and be able to recognise the best of the best. Category requirements are below for your reference.

Once you contact me, I'll provide you with further details about judging, and you'll also be asked to give your comments and scores on a short piece of fiction, so that you can see how the judging process at SDFA works.

Once again, thanks for your interest.

• This category is devoted to the show of Angel the Series. Fiction will be judged on the portrayal of the entire ensemble of cast from the show
  Please note that fiction entered in this category should be relevant to the cast of Angel the Series, and not be centered on purely one character from the show, particularly, not Angel as a character. This is an award for good portrayal of the entire team, not just the protagonist.
• Fiction must include the relevant main characters (Angel, Cordelia, etc...) and can also include any character who has appeared on the show (Darla, Doyle, Oz, Lilah, Gwen etc...) It must not, however, have an over abundance of characters from BtVS.
• Fiction can be set in any timeframe, including Alternate Reality
• Winners will be chosen based upon the writer's ability to pen a believable fiction set in the Angelverse.

• Fiction can include any characters from either show.
• Must at least evoke heartfelt emotions. If it doesn't, then it's not angst.
• Fiction can be set in any timeframe, including an Alternate Universe (a timeframe that is not current with canon).
• Winners will be chosen based upon the writer's ability to pen a believable angsty fiction.

Believe Award - Best Original Character

• Original character implies any character created by the author for use in that particular fiction.
• Characters created by other authors will not be considered original to the fiction being judged, regardless of whether permission is given for use of them by the original creator.
• Mary Sues are permitted
• Fiction can be set in any timeframe, including an Alternate Universe (a timeframe that is not current with canon).
• Winners will be chosen based upon the writer's ability to pen a believable original character and incorporate it successfully into the universe of BtVS /AtS.

• This category is devoted to the character of Spike. Fiction will be judged on the best portrayal of the character of Spike, regardless of timeframe - chipped, dechipped, souled, unsouled etc...
• Fiction can be set in any timeframe, this includes pre BtVS.
  Please note that this category should hold entries devoted to Spike and his character, not his relationships with other characters, unless centered around Spike's feelings for them, or a POV piece. This is not a category for shipper fic. Just for Spike.
• Winners will be chosen based upon the writer's ability to pen a believable fiction all about Spike.
  
  

Brevitas Award - Best Short Fiction

• This category is devoted to Short Stories.
• Fiction can be set in any timeframe.
• Fiction must be less than 5 pages long
• Winners will be chosen based upon the writer's ability to pen a believable short fiction

Caritas Award - Best Song Fiction

• The best incorporation of a song/songs into the framework of the fiction.
• Fiction can include any characters from either show.
• Fiction can be set in any timeframe.
• Winners will be chosen based upon the writer's ability to pen a fiction and incorporate a song into it.
  

Champion Award - Best Heroic Fiction

• This category is devoted to heroes/heroines . Fiction entered should be concentrated on these characters and stories of their heroism.
• Fiction can include other characters. It must not, however, be centred around them.
• Fiction can be set in any timeframe.
• Winners will be chosen based upon the writer's ability to pen a convincing heroic scenario.

• This category is devoted to slayers. Fiction entered should be concentrated on slayers, and the paths their lives take. Original slayers are welcome to be entered into this category, provided that an explanation of their lineage is given. Faith, Kendra, the first slayer and Buffy, and any of the potentials seen in season 7 are also accepted.
• Fiction can include other characters. It must not, however, be centered around them.
• Fiction can be set in any timeframe.
  

• Conventional ships are those presented by the series, either AtS /BtVS
• Fiction must include a pairing. Remember they are only relationships that have happened on the show, eg. Buffy/Angel, Angel/Coredlia, Willow/Tara, Willow/Oz etc...
  Buffy/Spike fiction CANNOT be entered in this category, please enter Buffy/Spike into the Stake Me category
• Fiction can be set in any timeframe, including an Alternate Universe (a timeframe that is not current with canon).
• Winners will be chosen based upon the writer's ability to pen a convincing conventional pairing

Endurance Award - Best Long Fiction

• This category is devoted to Epics or Long Fiction. WIPs are accepted provided that the length is appropriate
• Fiction can be set in any timeframe, including an Alternate Universe (a timeframe that is not current with canon)
• Fiction must be 100 pages + in length
• Fiction nominated for Endurance must not be series. Series fiction should be nominated for the Journey Award
• Winners will be chosen based upon the writer's ability to pen an engrossing and believable long fiction

• Any nominations in this category must cross over the shows of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel the Series.
• Crossover does not imply only one character from either show appearing in the unvierse of the other. Crossovers must effectively blend both shows together in a believable fashion.
• Fiction can be set in any timeframe
• Winners will be chosen based upon the writer's ability to produce an effective and believable crossover between the shows of AtS and BtVS.

• Not to be confused with the Entangled Award.
• Fiction entered into this category must be BtVS or AtS crossover with an entirely different fandom.
• Fiction entered into this category can include crossovers with any media (books, comics, TV, movies) , any pairing, any rating, any genre.
• Fiction can be set in any timeframe.
• Winners will be chosen based upon the writer's ability to effectively combine two seperate fandoms into a believable fiction.

Erotic Award - Best Female Slash Fiction

• Femme means the focus should be on f/f pairings. Content does not have to be explicit.
• Both conventional and unconventional pairings are accepted.
• Threesomes do not qualify, as it involves more body parts than would be found in traditional femme.
• Fiction can be set in any timeframe, including an Alternate Universe (a timeframe that is not current with canon).
• Winners will be chosen based upon the writer's ability to pen a believable relationship between two female characters

Exotic Award - Best Male Slash Fiction

• Slash means the focus should be on m/m pairings. Content does not have to be explicit.
• Both conventional and unconventional pairings are accepted.
• Threesomes do not qualify, as it involves more body parts than would be found in traditional slash.
• Fiction can be set in any timeframe, including an Alternate Universe (a timeframe that is not current with canon).
• Winners will be chosen based upon the writer's ability to pen a believable relationship between two male characters.
  
  

Flipside Award - Best Alternate Universe Fiction

• Alternate Universe is not Wishverse, Shrimpverse or any other verse that comes from canon.
• An AU fic is one where most if not all elements of canon are knowingly disregarded. Usually what-ifs. And usually all human.
• Content does not have to be explicit.
• Fiction should be set within a timeframe that is not current with canon.
• Winners will be chosen based upon the writer's ability to pen a believable AU fic.
  
  

Forgotten Award - Best Missing Scene

• Missing scenes are fillers, things that are thought to have happened, or what you eanted to happen. The bits we missed out on inthe show.
• These can be centered on relationship but should preferably be general.
• Fiction can be set in any timeframe.
• Winners will be chosen based upon the writer's ability to pen a believable missing scene from either show.

Intrigue Award - Best Plot

• Plot fiction may be WIP, but there should be enough of the fiction finished, so that the judges can see how the plot is unfolding, the level of complexity in the fiction and how much thought has gone into plot on the writer's part.
• If you are nominating a WIP that is not your own, please ensure that there is enough of it to actually judge
• Fiction can be set in any timeframe, including an Alternate Universe (a timeframe that is not current with canon)
• Fiction can include any characters from either show.
• Winners will be chosen based upon the writer's ability to pen a realistic, well thought out, intriguing plot.

• Fiction entered in this category must have two parts or more that can be read as semi standalone.
• Fiction must be finished - NO WIP's. - The series can be continuing, but each story in the series must be complete.
• Please do NOT enter this category if you have entered the fiction in the Endurance Category
• Multiple chapter fictions do not a series make, and do not qualify for entry into this category.
• Fiction can include any characters from either show.
• Fiction can be set in any timeframe, including an Alternate Universe (a timeframe that is not current with canon).

Library Award - Recognition and Recommendation

• This award is given out based upon not only judges enjoyment, but the appeal of the fiction. Writing style and ability is taken into consideration, as well as general readability and enjoyment. The library award is given as recognition of talent and skill, and recommendation of a certain fiction to peruse.

• Fiction entered in this category should be a rehash of events either within an episode, or a re write of an entire episode of either series. For example a "Way it Should have happened fiction"
• Fiction should be fairly short in length
• Fiction must be finished - NO WIP's.
• Fiction can include any characters.
• Please ensure that the fiction is a rehash, and not just 'based' on events that happened.
• Winners will be determined based upon the ability to pen a believable "turn of events" to their own requirements from canon.

• This category is devoted to the genre of romance.
• Fiction can include any characters from either show
• Both conventional and unconventional pairings are accepted
• Fiction can be set in any timeframe, including an Alternate Universe ( a timeframe that is not current with canon).
• Winners will be chosen based upon the writer's ability to create a believable, non abusive relationship between characters.
  

• This category is devoted to villains (individual or groups). Fiction entered should be concentrated on these characters and stories of their villainous schemes.
• Fiction can include other characters from either universe
• Fiction can be set in any timeframe, including an Alternate Universe (a timeframe that is not current with canon).
• Villains considered also include those already seen in canon eg, Holtz
• Winners will be chosen based upon the writer's ability to pen a convincing villain/villainous scenario.

• This category is devoted to the ship of Spander. It is Spander heaven, an as such, fiction entered should be concentrated on the two characters and their relationship with each other.
• Fiction can include other characters. It must not, however, be centred around them.
• Fiction can be set in any timeframe, including an Alternate Universe (a timeframe that is not current with canon).
• Winners will be chosen based upon the writer's ability to pen Spander.

• This category is devoted to minor characters seen on the show. Fiction entered should be concentrated on minor players, and the paths their lives take.
• Only minor characters seen on either BtVS or AtS are accepted. If you are unsure as to if your character will be accepted, please contact us
• Fiction can include other characters. It must not, however, be centred around them.
• Fiction can be set in any timeframe, including an Alternate Universe (a timeframe that is not current with canon).

• This category is devoted to the history of the characters.
• Any character from either AtS/BtVS is accepted, and enough information should be given in order to judge "least known character histories" eg Lindsey, Lilah, or minor players etc...
• Fiction can be written in any genre, but must display the aspect of character history.
• Winners will be chosen based upon the writer's ability to pen a believable fiction about a character's past.

• This category is devoted to death. Fiction entered should have a death scene, where a major character dies.
• Fiction can include any characters from either show
• Fiction can be set in any timeframe, and can be in any genre, as long as a death is involved.
• Winners will be chosen based upon the writer's ability to create a believable death scene.

• It's all about sex people! Therefore, fiction entered into this category should be rated R-NC17 , involve any pairing, including multiples.
• Fiction should not have a plot.
• Acts portrayed should be physically possible
• Threesomes are permitted to be entered into this category
• Fiction can be set in any timeframe, including an Alternate Universe (a timeframe that is not current with canon).
• Fiction can include any characters from either show.
• Both conventional and unconventional pairings are accepted
• Winners will be chosen based upon the writer's ability to create believable, erotic, emotive situations, and of course, sex scenes.

• Fiction must written in first person POV. Any character from BtVS/AtS is accepted.
• Fiction can be set in any timeframe, including an Alternate Universe (a timeframe that is not current with canon).

• This category is devoted to the show of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Fiction will be judged on the portrayal of the entire ensemble of cast from the show.
  Please note that fiction entered in this category should be relevant to the cast of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and not be centered on purely one character from the show, particularly, not Buffy as a character. This is an award for good portrayal of the entire team, not just the protagonist.
• Fiction must include the relevant main characters (Buffy,Willow, Xander etc...) and can also include any character who has appeared on the show (Drusilla, Jenny, Faith, Larry etc...) It must not, however, have an over abundance of characters from AtS
• Fiction can be set in any timeframe, including Alternate Reality.
• Winners will be chosen based upon the writer's ability to pen a believable fiction set in the Buffyverse

• Fiction in this category should make people laugh.
• Fiction can include any characters from either show.
• Fiction can be set in any timeframe
• Winners will be chosen based upon the writer's ability to pen an amusing fiction.
  

• Fiction entered into this category must do what it says on the tin - it must make the reader cry, or atleast come really close to sobbing.
• Fiction can include any characters from either show
• Fiction can be set in any timeframe
• Winners will be chosen based upon the writer's ability to create an extremely sad fiction and make readers cry.

• This category is devoted to the ship of Spuffy. It is Spuffy heaven, an as such, fiction entered should be concentrated on the two characters and their relationship with each other.
• Fiction can include other characters. It must not, however, be centred around them.
• Fiction can be set in any timeframe, including an Alternate Universe (a timeframe that is not current with canon).
• Winners will be chosen based upon the writer's ability to pen Spuffy.

• Fiction entered here should be depressing and/or make the skin crawl etc...
• Fiction can include any characters from either show.
• No hearts and flowers please.
• Please supply the appropriate ratings and warnings.
• Fiction can be set in any timeframe, including an Alternate Universe (a timeframe that is not current with canon).

• Fiction entered in this category should portray drama. Drama can mean many things including emotional outbursts and action filled cliffhangers.
• Fiction can include any characters from either show.
• Fiction can be set in any timeframe, including an Alternate Universe (a timeframe that is not current with canon).
• Winners will be chosen based upon the writer's ability to pen an effective drama.

• Fiction entered in this category should portray action. Think action movie... If there's no action scenes, violence, fighting demons, staking vampires etc... then don't nominate in this category.
• Fiction can include any characters from either show.
• Fiction can be set in any timeframe, including an Alternate Universe (a timeframe that is not current with canon).
• Winners will be chosen based upon the writer's ability to pen a believable action fiction

• Alternate Reality is similar to Wishverse, Shrimpverse or any other verse that comes from canon.
• An AR fic is one where the story diverts from a point in canon but the basic elements of canon remain the same, eg there's still vampires, slayers and magic.
• Content does not have to be explicit.
• Fiction should be set within a timeframe that diverts from canon.
• Winners will be chosen based upon the writer's ability to pen a believable AR fic.
  

• Unconventional ships are those not presented by the series, either AtS /BtVS, in any way whatsoever.
• Fiction must include a pairing. Remember they are only relationships that have not happened on the show, eg. Spike/Angel, Spike/Willow, Lindsey/Lilah, Cordelia/Gunn etc.... If it's an odd pairing, it fits here.
  Spike/Xander fiction CANNOT be entered in this category, please enter Spike/Xander into the Nummy Treat category
• Fiction can be set in any timeframe, including an Alternate Universe (a timeframe that is not current with canon).
• Winners will be chosen based upon the writer's ability to pen a convincing unconventional pairing

Judges Choices Award

• Judges choices are simply that - the fiction that judges will remember and read again and again.
• All nominees are entered into the judges choice automatically.

Effulgent/Souled/Outstanding Awards - Outstanding Author

• Pretty self exlanatory. This is given out where Judges feel an extraordinary amount of writing skill is involved. This includes general techniques, from characterisation and implementation to more in depth techniques such as excellent use of imagery, consistency of plot, flow and movement etc...