February Writing Contest

Details

Deadline:Feb 29, 2008
Fee:Scribophile Pro membership required

Ah, February: the month of love. With Valentine's day around the corner, everybody wants to write a love story. So we thought we'd give it a little twist.

Instead of accepting run-of-the-mill romances, we want exactly the opposite: stories about the supernatural. But not just any old ghost stories... after all, we're talking Valentine's day here!

Your story of the supernatural has to feature Valentine's themes or imagery. Maybe a monster will terrorize the neighborhood by dropping bloody hearts onto people's beds. Maybe a tough specter with a heart of gold will fall in love with a goblin at the annual demon convention. Maybe the kids at school will pass out cursed Valentine's that fortell your death. Maybe Cupid has a secret dark side. We don't know. Make it as serious or as silly as you like, but make it good.

We'll be accepting short stories between 2,000 and 4,000 words (as measured by us). Your short story can have any tone: it can be funny, serious, scary, eerie, or whatever else you can dream up. Maybe it'll be a combination of all of the above!

Winning entries

Winners have been announced! Log in to see them.

Prizes

1st prize:$50 Amazon.com gift card
2nd prize:$20 Amazon.com gift card

Rules

  • Your entry must be a short story (2,000 to 4,000 words as measured by us) PROMINENTLY featuring both 1) an element or theme of the supernatural/uncanny, and 2) an element or theme relating to Valentine's day (love, the colors red and pink, hearts, Cupid, and so on).

  • Entries must be received by February 28, 2008, and winners will be announced on March 7, 2008. Scribophile staff reserves the right to disqualify any contest entry for any reason and to change the terms of the contest for any reason.

  • Entries will be judged by the Scribophile staff, taking into consideration the ratings given by Scribophile members. Decisions are final.

  • Only one entry is allowed per member. Multiple entries will all be disqualified.

Submission guidelines

  • To enter the contest, post your work on Scribophile and tag it with "march contest" (without quotes). Your work will automatically be considered.

  • Email submissions will not be accepted.