A horror writing contest

SUBMISSIONS ARE CLOSED

Call me crazy, but I love a writing challenge. So, after reading about a nifty writing contest over the weekend that was unfortunately a pay-to-play opportunity, I was inspired to create a similar challenge. But this one is free to enter!

How quickly can you go from reading the open call to submitting a story? Can you do it in 2 days?

HOW IT WORKS:

We will announce the subgenre (or horror trope) and a theme. From the time the announcement goes public, you’ll have only 48 hours to conceive, write, and submit a flash fiction story of 500-1000 words. The stories will be judged, and a single winner will be selected for a $50 cash prize and publication on the Death Knell Press website.

HOW TO ENTER:

• Free to enter.

• Come to the Death Knell Press website or look for posts on Death Knell Press’ Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram feeds on Friday, January 20 at 10:00AM EST.

• Read the posted guidelines for entry.
• Come up with a brilliant idea!
• Write a 500 – 1000 word story that adheres to the subgenre, theme, and other guidelines.
• Submit a .doc file to the contest email address (which will be provided with the forthcoming guidelines) no later than the DEADLINE: 48-hours later, on Sunday, January 22 at 10:00AM EST.
• Subscribe to receive an email update when the contest goes live (optional).

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:

If submissions land in the mailbox five minutes after the contest opens, we’ll know it’s a trunk story.

Stories will be judged on adherence to the theme, quality of storytelling, and originality. Given the speedy nature of this challenge, minimal judging will be based on spelling, grammar, and typos.

Winner will receive $50 USD via PayPal.

Publisher will receive rights to publish the story on our website. Author will retain all rights to their story.

A 500 – 1000 word story at $50 ends up being anywhere from a $0.05 – 0.10/word payment for the winner, which is considered by the Horror Writers Association to be “pro-rates.”

Red Lagoe will be judging this contest and hopes to have guest judges in the future if this goes well.