Inkitt’s Horror Writing Contest

Submit your spine-chilling stories to be in with the chance of winning $1000

Inkitt’s brand new horror writing contest is an opportunity to share your terrifying stories with our 2 million readers and writers around the world. Whether it’s psychological thriller, a ghoulish tale or terrifying gorey details – your captivatingly scary books will be most welcome here.

With a 1st place prize including $1,000 cash, one to one coaching with a professional writing coach worth $500, a social media feature on Inkitt’s social pages, and an exclusive book badge award, this contest gives you the chance broaden your readership, earn cash and improve your writing!

SUBMISSION DEADLINE

11:59pm PST on March 31st, 2020

WHAT YOU WIN

Cash prizes

One grand prize winner, and two runners up will be selected from this contest.

1st prize: $1,000, a one-on-one writing coaching class worth $500, a feature on Inkitt’s social media platforms and an exclusive book badge!
2nd prize: $250 and shout out on Inkitt’s social media pages!
3rd prize: $100!

CONTEST TERMS

 

• Judged by our algorithm, the winning author will be selected based on reader engagement at the end of the contest. This is a combination of likes, reads, reviews and shares.
• We collect data on your submission from the date you submit your story to the contest
• Poetry and fanfiction will not be accepted
• You may submit multiple entries over multiple months
• The minimum word count per submission is 20,000 words
• Novels must be in English
• You must own the rights to the novel
• Previously or currently self-published books are accepted
• You retain all rights to your stories while posted on Inkitt
• Inkitt reserve the right to announce contest winners within 3 months of the contest closing

Visit the website: https://www.inkitt.com/horror-writing-contest

Not a horror writer? Have no fear, check out our Novel Writing Contest, Fanfiction Contest and Short Story Contest

 

Inkitt.com Call for Novel Submissions

What You Win

• $300 USD
• Contest winner badge on cover picture and promoted on special Novel Contest Winners list
• Eligible for a future publishing deal

About Us

Inkitt is a new boutique publishing house. Our first novel launched mid-2016, and since then, we’ve published over 50 novels.

Curious to know more? Read what our published author, Lauren Garcia, says about Inkitt here

Check out our past winners here

Terms of the contest:

• Submissions close on December 31st, 2018

 

• 1 winner will be selected
• Due to the volume of submissions, it could take up to three months (*Subject to Change*) for the winner to be announced
• The winner is going to be determined by Inkitt based on reader engagement, with votes also counting for 20% of the final decision
• You must own all rights
• No entry fee
• All genres except fan fiction accepted
• Multiple entries are allowed
• Novels must be in English
• You retain all rights to your stories while posted on Inkitt
• Previously or currently self-published books are accepted
• If you win, you must be willing to extend your manuscript to the mandatory word count if your word count is below our requirements
• Required word counts per genre:
• Erotica – 20,000
• Romance – 40,000
• Mystery – 60,000
• Thriller – 60,000
• Horror – 60,000
• Sci-Fi – 80,000
• Fantasy – 80,000
• YA – 40,000

How to enter, visit:

https://www.inkitt.com/novelcontest?utm_source=affiliate_writelife

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Award for Imaginative Fiction

Rosebud​ magazine announces the sixth biennial Shelley Award competition for imaginative fiction. Original works of fantasy, science fiction, mystery, and horror are welcome, but the editor is also open to any pieces that reach beyond the boundaries of those genres, take literary and creative risks, and tell a good story. Pieces must be under 5000 words. First prize is $1,000, with four runner-up prizes of $100 each.

Entry deadline is June 15, 2016.

This year we are offering a special discount for users of this website. Just include the code PXCWC on the memo line of your check, and pay only a $10 entry fee. (That’s 1/3 off the regular fee of $15.)

Compete rules and entry instructions at: Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Award Announcement.

The Killer Nashville Claymore Award

The Killer Nashville Claymore Award

Deadline:

Saturday, April 30, 2016

Entry Fees

Claymore Entry Fee – $30;
Claymore Entry Fee with Critique – $50

Prizes

Over $3,000 in prizes, plus possible book advance, agent, and movie deal.

The winner will receive an engraved replica of a Claymore Dagger, free admission to the current year’s Killer Nashville and more. The top ten finalists also receive prizes.

Any manuscript of exceptional merit deemed ready for submission will be recommended by Killer Nashville to agents, editors and publishers regardless of placement in the contest.

The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony during the guest of honor dinner & awards banquet on the Saturday evening of the conference.

Description

Enter the first 50 pages of your unpublished crime literature manuscript in the contest.

Judges will consider any subgenre of mystery or thriller. Enter the first 50 pages of any unpublished literature in the following genres:

Action – Adventure – Children’s – Comedy – Cozy – Crime – CSI – Dark Fantasy – Detective – Drama – Dystopian – Erotica – Faith Based – Fantasy – Gangster – Historical – Horror – Legal – Literary – Middle Grade – Mystery – Paranormal – Police procedural – Political thriller – Private eye – Romantic Suspense – Science Fiction (Sci-Fi) – Spy – Steampunk – Suspense – Thriller – Urban Fantasy – Western – Women’s Fiction – Young Adult (YA)

The story must have a mystery, thriller or suspense element: a crime must have been committed that needs detecting, a crime is about to be (or threatened to be) committed or foreboding danger must be in place.

Contact Information

Killer Nashville
P.O. Box 680759
Franklin, Tennessee 37068-0759
(p) 615-599-4032

contact@killernashville.com

Visit the website:

http://www.claymoreaward.com

Fabula Press’ Nivalis Short Story Contest 2016

Deadline:

Thursday, March 31, 2016

Entry Fees

USD $10.00

Prizes

The contest carries the following prizes:
First prize: US$250
Second prize: US$150
Third prize: US$100

All long-listed entries (top 10-15) get published in an anthology, and non-prize winning published entries will be paid US $50 each. Also, at the sponsors’ discretion, additional prizes may be declared for ‘Editors’ Pick’ category (in the last edition of the contest, four such prizes of US$50 each were declared).

Description

There is no theme or genre restriction, and we are happy to read historical fiction, mystery/suspense, and horror. However, for consistency of presentation we cannot accept children’s stories, fantasy, young adult or chick lit; likewise hardcore science fiction is not something we are looking for, but are open to science-based/alternative history-based literary works. In case of doubt, it is best to query the editorial team.

Word count: Minimum 1500, maximum 7000.

Entry fee: US $10.

Judges: The panel of judges includes literary agents, authors and essayists.

Detailed guidelines are available on our website – www.fabulapress.com

Contact Information

email: editors@fabulapress.com
website: www.fabulapress.com
FaceBook – www.facebook.com/fabula.press
Twitter – @FabulaPress
Google+ – google.com/+Fabulapress

Visit the website:

http://www.fabulapress.com

Last call! The Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award

The Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award

Deadline:

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Entry Fees

No cost to enter.

Prizes

The Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award. The winners will be given the right to use the Silver Falchion Award logo on their book covers and websites as well as other promotional material.

Description

The purpose of the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award™ is to honor the best books readily available to a North American audience in any format within the past year. The categories include both fiction and nonfiction.

Contact Information

Killer Nashville
P.O. Box 680759
Franklin, TN 37068-0759
(615) 599-4032

contact@killernashville.com

Website:  http://www.killernashville.com/awards/silver-falchion-award/

Fabula Press’ Nivalis Short Story Contest 2016

Deadline:

Thursday, March 31, 2016

Entry Fees:

USD $10.00

Prizes: The contest carries the following prizes:
First prize: US$250
Second prize: US$150
Third prize: US$100

All long-listed entries (top 10-15) get published in an anthology, and non-prize winning published entries will be paid US $50 each. Also, at the sponsors’ discretion, additional prizes may be declared for ‘Editors’ Pick’ category (in the last edition of the contest, four such prizes of US$50 each were declared).

Description:

There is no theme or genre restriction, and we are happy to read historical fiction, mystery/suspense, and horror. However, for consistency of presentation we cannot accept children’s stories, fantasy, young adult or chick lit; likewise hardcore science fiction is not something we are looking for, but are open to science-based/alternative history-based literary works. In case of doubt, it is best to query the editorial team.

Word count: Minimum 1500, maximum 7000.

Entry fee: US $10.

Judges: The panel of judges includes literary agents, authors and essayists.

Detailed guidelines are available on our website – www.fabulapress.com

Contact Information:

email: editors@fabulapress.com
website: www.fabulapress.com
FaceBook – www.facebook.com/fabula.press
Twitter – @FabulaPress
Google+ – google.com/+Fabulapress

Website: www.fabulapress.com

The Killer Nashville Claymore Award

Deadline

Saturday, April 30, 2016

Entry Fees

Claymore Entry Fee – $30;
Claymore Entry Fee with Critique – $50

Prizes

Over $3,000 in prizes, plus possible book advance, agent, and movie deal.

The winner will receive an engraved replica of a Claymore Dagger, free admission to the current year’s Killer Nashville and more. The top ten finalists also receive prizes.

Any manuscript of exceptional merit deemed ready for submission will be recommended by Killer Nashville to agents, editors and publishers regardless of placement in the contest.

The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony during the guest of honor dinner & awards banquet on the Saturday evening of the conference.

Description

Enter the first 50 pages of your unpublished crime literature manuscript in the contest.

Judges will consider any subgenre of mystery or thriller. Enter the first 50 pages of any unpublished literature in the following genres:

Action – Adventure – Children’s – Comedy – Cozy – Crime – CSI – Dark Fantasy – Detective – Drama – Dystopian – Erotica – Faith Based – Fantasy – Gangster – Historical – Horror – Legal – Literary – Middle Grade – Mystery – Paranormal – Police procedural – Political thriller – Private eye – Romantic Suspense – Science Fiction (Sci-Fi) – Spy – Steampunk – Suspense – Thriller – Urban Fantasy – Western – Women’s Fiction – Young Adult (YA)

The story must have a mystery, thriller or suspense element: a crime must have been committed that needs detecting, a crime is about to be (or threatened to be) committed or foreboding danger must be in place.

Contact Information

Killer Nashville
P.O. Box 680759
Franklin, Tennessee 37068-0759
(p) 615-599-4032
contact@killernashville.com

Website

http://www.claymoreaward.com

Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Challenge

Deadline: Thursday, December 31, 2015

Entry Fees

Free

Prizes

Each Friday afternoon, the winner will be recognized as we post the winning entry along with the picture as a feature. Then, at year end, the winners will be featured in an anthology published by Indies Unlimited.

Description

Ongoing, weekly contest: Every Saturday at 9 a.m. Pacific time, Indies Unlimited hosts a Flash Fiction Challenge. In 250 words or less, write a story incorporating the elements in the picture and/or the written prompt provided. Do not include the prompt in your entry. The 250 word limit will be strictly enforced. Please keep language and subject matter to a PG-13 level. Use the comment section on the prompt’s page to submit your entry. Entries for that week’s prompt are accepted until Tuesday at 5:00 PM Pacific Time. On Wednesday afternoon, we will open voting to the public with an online poll for the best writing entry accompanying the photo. Voting will be open until 5:00 PM Thursday. More details and information are available at http://www.indiesunlimited.com/flash-fiction/.

Contact Information

http://www.indiesunlimited.com/contact/

Website

http://www.indiesunlimited.com/flash-fiction/

The “Nivalis” Short Story Contest 2015

Word Limit: Min 2500 words, maximum 6000 words
Theme: Nivalis, meaning winter.
Prizes:
Three Prizes –
1. First prize: US$150, publication and 2 copies of the anthology
2. Second Prize: US$100, publication and 2 copies of the anthology
3. Third Prize: US$100, and publication
All published authors get a copy of the anthology.

Entry fee: US$10

Submission deadline: 28 Feb 2015

Visit the website for details: http://www.fabulapress.com/the-contest/

Past and present contest judges include Clare Wallace (literary agent with Darley Anderson), Joanna Ezekiel (Author), Brett Alan Sanders (Author), Leela Devi Paniker (Author), Anisha Bhaduri (Award winning Journalist)

Doubleday Books presents the Haunted City Short Story Contest

Want to see your frightening and fantastic work in 2015’s most entertaining collection of horror fiction? Blumhouse Books, from the producers of Paranormal Activity, Insidious, and The Purge, will launch in July 2015, with the publication of THE BLUMHOUSE BOOK OF NIGHTMARES: THE HAUNTED CITY, an anthology of original short fiction written by some of the most inventive voices in horror today. And you have the chance to be included!

Doubleday and Blumhouse Books invite you to submit your short story, on the theme of urban horror, for inclusion in The Blumhouse Book of Nightmares: The Haunted City.

Your story:
– Must fit the theme of urban horror.
– Must be less than 2000 words.
– Must be your original work.
– Must be written in English.

Once submissions close, on December 1, 2014, Doubleday and Blumhouse will select six finalists.

Final stories will be posted on the Blumhouse Books and Knopf Doubleday websites and social media, where fans can vote on their favorite story. Voting will be open for a period of two weeks after finalists are announced and stories are posted.

The winning story will be announced on or around January 1, 2015 and will be included in the e-book and print editions of The Blumhouse Book of Nightmares: The Haunted City.

All finalists will receive a hardcover edition of The Blumhouse Book of Nightmares: The Haunted City.

Enter here! http://blumhousebooks.com/#