AlienAlmanac.com - The Neilan Project

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Story Θ Characteristics Θ Assignment Θ Rules Θ Submission Θ Awards

A race of small, alien beings crash-landed their spacecraft on Earth. All 101 aliens survived the crash. Unable to keep the crash or the aliens a secret, the U.S. government opted instead to share this historic event with the world. Since the dawn of man, this amazing discovery finally answered the ages old question: We are not alone.

After months of close observation, the Department of Homeland Security announced the aliens were harmless and posed no threat to national security or to humanity. DHS, and endorsed by the President, released the aliens from quarantine and welcomed them as ‘honored and free’ citizens to the people of Earth.

After only a few months, the aliens are still adjusting to Earth living.

Characteristics

Population: 101

Name: The government and the world refer to them as the Neilan Race. (nēl’-yan). They do not have individual names. Most people call them by their designated number, 1 through 101.

Description: All Neilans are the same. They are clones. Hairless, pale-green skin; skin color turns grey in low or no light and in the cold. Large black eyes with a small mouth; nose and ear outlets are unnoticeable. A tattoo that looks similar to a barcode runs along the inside of the right arm between the forearm and the upper arm. The tattoo is the only distinguishing feature that differentiates each alien; unfortunately, no one knows what it means or how to interpret it.

Height: 1 meter tall

Weight: 47 pounds

Gender: no distinguishing features; assume they are all male

Origin: It is still unknown where the Neilans came from except from outer space. The Neilans do not seem to know either. With their spacecraft in disrepair, it is unlikely the Neilans will ever leave Earth.

Language: Communication with the aliens has proven difficult, almost like talking to a 3-year-old child in terms of comprehension. Neilans cannot speak any language known to man but they seem to understand a great deal. The Neilan language sounds like childish gibber with some unique hand gestures. They are a chatty bunch when speaking with each other, since more than one is always talking. Unfortunately, no one has been able to decipher their language.

Mannerisms: The Neilans, for the most part, are not interested or curious about humans. However, everything else captures their attention. It is almost as if they ignore us. In general, they are child-like in their mannerisms, curious about the oddest things. They are mischievous at times only because their curiosity tends to fully preoccupy them.

They are kind to anyone who wishes to speak with them, although not much is really conversed. They are patient under these circumstances as if they are appeasing us so they can get back to their insatiable curiosity.

They primarily stay together. It’s very rare to see one alone and more common to encounter them in pairs or in threes.

Neilans clearly watch out for one another. If one is in pain or threatened, the others will come to help. The rest of them become anxious and agitated under these circumstances. Anyone who harms or brings purposeful injury or kills a Neilan will be charged to the full extent of the law.

Skills: The Neilans are resourceful and have a unique knack for gadgets and technology, although it all appears innocent enough. One time, they broke out of quarantine by constructing a magnetic key out of gum foil, a bent staple, and a thin piece of plastic. The videotape recorded that they imitated the keypad tones through their vocal cords while manipulating the homemade key. Officials eventually found the Neilans in the common cafeteria trying to open a vending machine. The media and public enjoyed a good laugh when the story broke. When asked if their spacecraft could be repaired, the Neilans indicated they didn’t know how.

Appetite: Neilans don’t eat much at all. One or two bites are sufficient and can last them for days. However, they love sweets. Cakes, candy, soda, and pure table sugar make them act like little hyperactive kids on a sugar high. Please do not feed them any food with concentrated sugars.

Residence: The U.S. government established living quarters in an enclosed trailer park north of Denver, CO called the Neilan Colony. Even though the park is secluded and fenced, the Neilans can come and go as they please. Some conspiracy theorists have already commented on the fact that the Neilan residence is the same distance from Roswell, NM and the infamous Area 51. When connected, the distances between the three sites form a perfect triangle. The U.S. government refutes any connection and to this day still denies Area 51 exists.

Assignment

AlienAlmanac.com is sponsoring your written or artistic depiction of the Neilans and their first six months on Earth. We are building a story through your words and illustrations. Phase 1 is the first in a series of assignments authors and artists can participate.

Write a short story using a certain aspect of the story. Be creative with your view point, or;
Illustrate a picture or series of pictures. Use your imagination.

Rules

1. By participating in the Neilan Project, AlienAlmanac.com is authorizing temporary rights to represent the Neilan image and description. The Neilan image and description are the property and a trademark of AlienAlmanac.com.

2. All submitted works, written and illustrated, will become the sole property of AlienAlamanac.com and cannot be reproduced without prior permission.

3. Be inventive, creative and unconventional. We are looking for your humorous perspective, however serious creativeness will also be considered. Keep in mind that our world was built for humans. For the most part, the Neilans don’t have a clue about our world. A simple paperclip could be the most interesting thing to a Neilan and have hundreds of applications.

4. Do not change or alter the general physical appearance or description of the Neilans. Any submissions altering or changing these aspects will automatically be ineligible. Outerwear like shirts, pants, boots, gloves, backpack and other gear can be changed.

5. Do not kill off a Neilan or depict gore or obscene situations. Any direct or subliminal sexual situations will be ineligible. This is a PG audience.

6. Do not alter the current storyline nor submit any suggestions. Stay within the current storyline. Anything between the crash landing through adjusting to living on Earth (6 months) is fair game.

7. Respect copyright laws. Do not incorporate other company logos, likenesses, trademarks, copyrights or any other registrations. All works must be original.

8. AlienAlmanac.com reserves the right to disqualify or deem submissions ineligible for any other reason and without notification.

9. AlienAlmanac.com reserves the right to edit or alter submitted works, written or illustrative.

Submission

Short Story Guidelines

Length: 5,000-10,000 words.
Submit finished works. Check spelling, grammar, word count, and consistency.
Electronic submissions preferred. Submit as a .doc, .txt or .wps format. Word formats are preferred.
Use standard short story formatting, margins, headers, page numbering, etc. New Times Roman 12 font size is preferred.

Art Guidelines

Finished art should graphically tell a story or represent an aspect of the story, like the old motto ‘a picture is worth a 1,000 words.’
Various color graphic medium representations may be used, such as watercolor, ink, crayon, marker, pencil, etc., however clean graphic representations are preferred. Black and white art will also be considered.
Electronic submissions preferred. Formats: jpg preferred; tif, bmp, jpeg, are acceptable.
Size: maximum dimensions 1600 x 1600 pixels; minimum dimensions 200x200 pixels, or equivalents
Resolution: minimum 150 dpi; 200-300 dpi preferred.

Send your stories or art to our email address at alienalmanac@gmail.com

We will accept submissions by mail:

AlienAlmanac.com

c/o 54 Bayberry Lane

Westfield, MA 01085

All mail submissions will not be returned.

What Happens if Your Short Story or Artwork is Selected?

All selected and approved works will be displayed on AlienAlmanac.com in a way that tells a story about the Neilans. All site visitors will be granted access for viewing. Downloading may be optioned.

All posted works will be credited to their respective author or artist. Author/Artist contact information, website and/or links may be established, if available.

Authors and Artists may be featured or interviewed for future AlienAlmanac.com articles.

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