“Fantastically Talented” Competition
The „Fantastically Talented” competition is a unique event organized by the Pyrkon Fan Convention. Its goal is to promote high-quality Polish literature, including genres such as fantasy, science-fiction, horror or paranormal. During the awards ceremony at the Convention, as well as thanks to our social media, we can present debuting or lesser-known authors on the Polish writing scene to a wider audience. This is an ideal opportunity for them to present themselves and their books to fantasy lovers. During each edition of Pyrkon, authors creating in various branches of fantasy will be able to take part in the plebiscite.
What is the “Fantastically Talented” Competition
It is a plebiscite-type competition aimed at promoting new talents in the broad field of fantasy. Thanks to our social media, as well as during the Convention itself, we can expose a larger audience to debuting or lesser-known authors on the Polish fantasy writing scene.
The competition is aimed at authors who are only just embarking on their writing adventure, as well as those so far less known on the Polish fantasy scene – this will be an ideal opportunity for them to present their works to a wide community of fans of the genre. In both the first and second editions of the competition, we focused on fantasy literature aimed more at adult readers. In the third edition, recruitment for which will begin in March 2025 and will be possible through a form available on the Polish version of the site, we are expanding our interests to include fantasy literature for children and young adults, as well as fantasy comics.
The Convention also hosts an awards gala, during which statuettes are presented to the winners of the Competition. And the awarded authors can make themselves known to Pyrkon attendees.
In the 1st edition of the contest, we were able to get acquainted with new literature from genres such as science-fiction, horror literature or paranormal fantasy, meet great heroes and heroines, as well as allow you, Pyrkon-goers, to decide who the audience award went to.
The immense reserves of invention seeping into the minds and hearts of creative souls who passionately create, dealing in various literature genres, motivated us to create this plebiscite to be able to present to our wonderful community of fantasy enthusiasts, the new and as yet unknown Fantastically Talented authors.
Meet our Jury
Jury
SPECIAL ABILITIES:
+10 TO CLAW SHARPNESS if anyone even dares to treat books badly – both literally and figuratively.
BIO:
Awakened over 40 centuries ago somewhere within the ruins of a forgotten library, she very quickly discovered that books brought her all the happiness she might want for, and that blood was vastly overrated as a beverage, as it was coffee that was indeed the nectar of the gods.
She hates mornings, which she considers to have been created only to interrupt passionate reading sessions, and only calms down after a very specific dose of caffeine. Milk, no sugar, please.
In her spare time, she relaxes by listening to true crime podcasts and doing puzzles with thousands and thousands of pieces. The more the better.
She feels best when it’s hot as hell outside, likes singing off-key as if she was a wolf howling at the moon and loves her adorable Collie even more than you’d think.
SPECIAL ABILITIES:
+10 TO WATER MAGIC if there is an Author nearby.
BIO:
An ancient aquatic and terrestrial race, perfectly assimilated with humans.
They are a very calm, kind and laid back people. The professions they excel at are accountants or librarians, and sometimes even both at the same time.
Don’t let her apparent timidity fool you, when someone threatens her beloved books, she becomes incredibly menacing and bloodthirsty.
When she is not reading books, which is a rare sight, she concocts strategies to promote reading.
A collector of tourist badges, an avid fan of musical theatre and puzzles.
SPECIAL ABILITIES:
THE BOOK OF MEMORIES – every book ever read becomes a permanent part of her memory.
BIO:
All the signs point to the fact that she has sold her soul to the devil, and as a result, she casts curses and charms with a skill worthy of a much better cause.
If someone asked her, she would choose to live in the middle of nowhere, in a cottage on a hen’s foot, in order to be able to freely leaf through more fantastic volumes and devour new stories in peace. She loves books and conversations about them. The idea of promoting reading is one close to her heart. She does not shy away from expressing her opinions about the stories she has read, publishing reviews on several online portals.
She adheres to the principle that chocolate doesn’t ask question, chocolate understands, and that sleep is a great substitute for coffee.
She has a close relationship with the written word – she professionally transforms coffee into letters.
SPECIAL SKILLS:
AN AURA OF LAUGHTER – his Aura provides his allies with more perseverance, for example, in the search for unique talents.
BIO:
Born in 1975 in the noble city of Gdańsk, our extraordinary Paladin has been trapped, enchanted, in the magical world of books and volumes for years. In his younger years, right after college, he excelled in Latin and ancient Greek – a true magician and translator of the ancient mysteries of Alexander the Great.
Currently, for almost two decades, he has led a host of editors, promoters and specialists at different Publishing Houses. In his heart, he remains loyal to historical literature, science fiction and fantasy as his favorite genres.
Always with a smile on his face and a fabulous story to tell, the Merry Paladin leads pilgrims through the mazes of education and virtual lands. His joy in discovering new stories makes even the darkest corners of literature full of color.
SPECIAL ABILITIES:
+5 to PERCEPTION – She has a radar in her eyes for detecting typos and errors
BIO:
Officially born in 1987. Truthfully, who knows? Many a wanderer has already been deceived by her innocent appearance and ocean blue eyes… She always keeps knowledge from the tons of books she has read in her notebook and will not hesitate to use it, a true ace up her sleeve.
High functioning introvert. Do not approach before coffee, as it bites. She swallows the books rather than reads them. She’d choose an e-reader over the real thing anytime, simply because she reads way too fast to lug thick paperbacks around with her at all times.
She feels best in an armchair with tea brewing close by and the prospect of a few hours of silence. She prefers jigsaw puzzles with works of art on, and chocolate – mint flavor. She’s an alto and signs in a choir.
Meet the creator of our statuettes
As you well know, the “Fantastically Talented” competition is intended for all those, well, fantastically talented! Which is why we cannot fail to mention the author of the statuettes awarded to the winners of the competition during the awards gala at Pyrkon 2024.
Robert Tomak is a graduate of the Institute of Visual Art and Culture of the WSP in Zielona Góra, which is now the University of Zielona Góra, where he also majored in painting. He has been practicing sculpting, painting and drawing for many years. He is the winner of many honors and awards, such as the “Animator of Culture 2003” of the Zielona Góra Cultural Center or the award for sculpture in the Third National Competition for Graphics and Sculpture with Musical Themes, Leszno District Museum in 2010. (and, of course, many, many others!). You could see his works in exhibitions at the Municipal Bureau of Artistic Exhibitions in Leszno, at the “Garbary 48” gallery in Poznan or at the Museum of Lubusz Land. Robert runs an art studio called the “Sculpture and Painting Studio,” where he makes medals, monuments, commemorative plaques and statuettes. It was there that the ones our Fantastically Talented winners were awarded with were created.
However, if you are under the impression that you’ve heard that name somewhere before – then you are right! Robert Tomak is also the creator of the “Scissors of Pyrkon” statuette, presented to the winners of the Masquerade costume contest. It’s a bronze figurine on a marble base that many cosplayers wish to win. Perhaps you were one of them? Or are you planning to be? Now you have a chance to get one not only as cosplay creators, but also as writers!