Horror Writing Contest

by s

Rated: 13+ · Message Forum · Contest · #2273172

A contest involving writing a horror story. Simple, really.

NEW PROMPT, NEW CONTEST!

Have you wanted to write a horror short story?
Do you have an idea for a horror story?
Have you lost a bet and have to write a horror story?
Well, here’s your chance to give it a go!

The Contest has re-opened for OCTOBER (though early, yes).
OCTOBER contest!

PROMPT: October 31 is Halloween. This comes from All Hallow’s Eve. The day itself is a Christian appropriation of a pagan holiday – the Celtic festival of Samhain. At Samhain, the ghosts were said to walk the Earth, so people would dress in costume to confuse them. So, the prompt is Halloween, but based on the original Samhain festival.
WORD COUNT: 500 - 2000 words
Banned items: Trick or treating, & Jack-o-Lanterns!

This contest lasts for a little over a month.

I will be the judge. Works will be judged on the following:
1) The concept.
2) The tone. That is, the sense of horror, terror or unease.
3) Technical aspects. Spelling, grammar, syntax, etc. must all be as strong as possible.
4) How well it tells a story. Be careful of this.
5) How well the prompt is integrated into the story.

Reminder, the prompt is TRADITIONAL HALLOWEEN!

Rules:
1) The competition runs until 11:59pm (WDC time), OCTOBER 24, 2024. No late entries will be accepted.
2) The prompt and word count must be followed.
3) To enter, start a new thread in the forum and include the story as a bitem link.
4) The word count and the prompt must be included at the bottom of the actual item (in a dropnote is fine).
5) The entry must be new, created on or after SEPTEMBER 20, 2024. Editing of an entry can occur up to the closing date of the contest.
6) Must be a stand-alone story, not part of a series or a section from a longer work. Also, no fan-fiction.
7) AI must not be used in the creation of the story. Yes, you may use grammar and spell checkers (remembering they are often wrong), but no use of AI to create the prose.
8) No more than 1 entry per person.
9) Judge’s decisions are final.

Opens on SEPTEMBER 20, 2024. Closes on OCTOBER 24, 2024.

Prizes:
So… what do you win? For this contest:
* First place will receive a Horror-Scary genre MB and a 25k gp black awardicon.
* Second place (awarded only if there are 6 or more entries) will receive a Horror-Scary genre MB and a 10k gp black awardicon.
* Third place (awarded only if there are 11 or more entries) will receive a Horror-Scary genre MB.

PROMPT: TRADITIONAL HALLOWEEN.

Banned items: Trick or treating, & Jack-o-Lanterns!