The focus of this contest is fictional or true-life short stories that include time in some way.
All submissions must be sent to: inklingspublishing@gmail.com
Submissions CLOSED:
January 8th, 2024 -April 8th, 2024
Be sure to verify your HWG or Wivla member status to verify your entry fee cost.
A collaboration Short Story Contest
Entry Fee:
$35 for nonmembers
$20 for members of HWG or WIVLA (You do not need to be a member of both organizations to get this discount – though we do hope you will consider joining both)
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Prizes:
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First prize -- $100 plus certificate, a medal, and complimentary 3Day pass to Authorpalooza Extravaganza Conference
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Second prize -- $50 plus certificate, a medal, and complimentary 3Day pass to Authorpalooza Extravaganza Conference
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Third prize -- $25 plus certificate, a medal, and complimentary 3Day pass to Authorpalooza Extravaganza Conference
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Publication in the book as an honorable mention or winner will also mean a complimentary copy of the volume as well as complimentary entry to the book launch party event on Friday, October 6, 2024 for themselves and a plus one.
Additional Contributor Author Benefits:
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Each author published in the book will be able to purchase as many copies of the anthology as they wish at 50% off retail price and resell these retaining all profits from said sales.
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Retain all rights to their story for any future or concurrent use. No exclusivity is required or requested.
ALL submissions will receive general constructive feedback from judges.
Contest Logistics
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Submissions will be accepted starting January 8th through April 8th, 2024. Please follow the submission guidelines below.
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Judging will take place between April 9 through April 30, 2024.
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Winners and Honorable Mentions will be provided revision requests by the volume’s developmental editor by Monday, May 13, 2024. Authors may choose to have a one-on-one meeting with the editor and gain further insight as well as experience the process of working with a publishing house content editor.
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Revised drafts will be due by Monday, June 3, 2024 for the final version of the story to be included in the anthology.
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Release will be Friday, October 4 - Sunday 6, 2024 at the opening evening of the Authorpalooza Extravaganza Conference.
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Winning authors and honorable mentions whose work is to be included in the final anthology will go through this part of the process so that the final story published is the strongest possible. Word count limit will no longer be important. The focus is on putting the best possible version of the story out to readers.
Submission Guidelines
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The story should be at least 3000 words AND no more than 7000 words long and must involve the volume’s theme, Journey into Time, in some way. All genre’s and subgenres are welcome.
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Author’s may submit up to 2 stories to the contest – each story submitted will require a separate entry fee.
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A panel of judges will score the submissions and determine the winners and honorable mentions – these stories will be published in the anthology and receive their respective additional prizes as applicable.
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The stories will then move to the publication queue, which consists of two phases:
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Revision Phase – Authors will be given an opportunity to work with an editor in a revision consultation. A deadline will be provided for resubmission based on the revision requests.
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Editing Phase – professional copyediting will ensure the work is ready for the public.
Formatting
Subject Line: Journey Into Time Contest Submission
Send ONE Word doc which includes ONLY:
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Title of story and word count
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author’s name as you wish it to appear in the publication
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author’s legal name
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contact information for author including: email address, telephone number, and mailing address
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a short biography (no more than 500 words) of the author with links to your social media sites and website (if applicable).
Send SECOND word document with:
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1st page – Title of Story and word count (ONLY)
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2nd page should begin the short story
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Story should be in 12 pt Garamond font, single spaced.
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Your name should NOT appear anywhere in this second word document. Do Not Put Your Name in the header or on the first page of the story file.
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If the submission is not sent using the aforementioned formatting requirements, it will be automatically disqualified. There will be no refunds of the entry fee should a disqualification occur.​ Any entry that does not strictly adhere to the guidelines provided will be disqualified and monies paid will not be refunded.
No exceptions to the guidelines will be made.
Rachel Connelly is one of Inklings Publishing’s developmental editors. A writer and thespian, Rachel will be working with the winning and honorable mention authors to develop and refine their piece for publication.
She works as a freelance developmental editor, born and raised in Houston. For as long as she can remember, writing and reading and storytelling have been her passions. As an editor, it gives her so much joy to help others bring life to the stories inside their heads.
Outside of work, Rachel is a local community theatre actress, avid painter and crocheter, and mom to four ridiculous cats.
Stefanie Fercking is a former high school English teacher. She holds a bachelor’s with a double major in English and philosophy and a master’s in liberal arts. She enjoys writing personal essays and is currently working on a memoir. Her work has appeared in Superpresent, NonBinary Review and Litro Magazine, among others. She and her husband live in Austin.
John Simons is a novelist, script writer, language nerd, and small press publisher under the imprint of Rinth Press. His degree from UH is in English Literature, but he has spent most of his professional life selling pop-culture and pop-culture experiences.
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X: @RinthPress
Facebook Groups: Ringtone
Threads: @rinth_press
Max Regan a teacher, an internationally published poet and writer, and the founder of Hollowdeck Press, LLC. He has taught poetry, prose and creative writing to various groups for the past 30 years. Max has worked as a journalist for publications around the country, and has taught and lectured at the University of Colorado, Colorado State University, Rose Medical Center and Naropa University.
The Houston Writers Guild is a volunteer-run, nonprofit organization working to create a community of writers of all skill levels. Together we strive to improve our writing craft and help each other build successful careers through education, collaborative marketing efforts, and camaraderie.​
The Guild offers a myriad of programs for both published and unpublished writers. It creates opportunities to build careers through networking, as well as, opportunities for author book sales throughout the Greater Houston area and neighboring communities. The Guild is also a place for hobbyist authors to enjoy writing in a relaxed and fun environment.
WIVLA's mission is to provide an inspiring forum for women to explore and advance their creative development, to promote their work in the marketplace, and to infuse the community with their spirit of cooperation and invention.
Women in the Visual and Literary Arts (WIVLA) is a nurturing place for sharing and growth, where visual artists, writers and other creatives meet in an atmosphere of support and mutual respect.
Each month, dynamic speakers give informative and inspiring presentations. We invite you to join us, whether you are on your way to becoming the writer or artist you want to be or are already a seasoned professional.