Member-Sponsored Tales of Kenopsia Contest

Details

Deadline:Apr 30, 2016
Fee:Free

Kenopsia, as defined by the dictionary of obscure sorrows, is as follows:

n. The eerie, forlorn atmosphere of a place that’s usually bustling with people but now abandoned and quiet. An emotional afterimage that makes it seem not just empty but hyper-empty. It may include (but not limited to) the following:

  • A school hallway in the evening.
  • An unlit office on a weekend.
  • A closed fairground.
  • An empty airport terminal.

I would like you to share your stories, of any genre, that have a 'kenoptic' setting. Perhaps yours is a post-apocalyptic story of loss? Maybe your characters encounter something astounding in a closed factory?

As long as the feeling of hyper-emptiness exists, I want to read it. So get creative!

My one stipulation is that I am not looking for poetry, and keep the word count under 5000 and split into parts (if necessary) as per Scribophile guidelines.

If you have any questions or want to discuss anything about the contest, please visit this forums thread: /forums/meta-scribophile/87325

Winning entries

Winners have been announced! Log in to see them.

Prizes

1st prize:$60 cash via PayPal/Amazon, 15 karma points
2nd prize:$40 cash via PayPal/Amazon, 10 karma points
3rd prize:$20 cash via PayPal/Amazon, 5 karma points

Rules

  • To enter the contest, post your work on Scribophile and check the box that says "Enter this work into the Member-Sponsored Tales of Kenopsia Contest." The checkbox will be visible until the contest deadline.

  • Submissions must be no longer than 5,000 words. If over 3,500 words, please split into two equal-ish parts.

  • Entry is free, but you'll need karma points to post your work. You can earn karma points by writing critiques of work by other members.

  • If you have already placed your work in a previous contest, you may not resubmit it to this one. Stories submitted here should be new.

  • Only one entry per person is allowed; multiple entries will be disqualified.

  • Honourable mentions will be notified in the contest thread in the forums.

Submission guidelines

  • Novel chapters are not allowed. Please don’t post them.

  • Your work must have public visibility on Scribophile until the winners are announced.

  • Only new, previously unpublished work will be accepted.

  • The contest will run from now until April 30th, 2016, at midnight UTC. The winner will be announced by the end of May 2016.