The focus of this contest is fictional or true-life short stories that include the holidays in some way.
All submissions must be sent to: inklingspublishing@gmail.com
Submissions OPENING SOON:
MAY 1ST, 2026 - JUNE 30TH, 2026
Be sure to verify your HWG member status to verify your entry fee cost.
Contest information and entry fee availability coming soon!
A collaboration Short Story Contest
Entry Fee:
$30 for nonmembers
$20 for members
​
Entries may be submitted starting on May 1, 2026
Submission Window closes on June 30, 2026 at 11:59 pm
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Prizes:
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First prize -- $100 plus certificate and a medal
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Second prize — $75 plus certificate and a medal
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Third prize — $50 plus certificate and a medal
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Publication in the book will also mean each author will receive a complimentary copy of the
volume as well as complimentary entry to the book launch celebration at which the book will
be officially released and where all prizes will be handed out.-
​Each author 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 -
Retain all rights to their story for any future or concurrent use. No exclusivity is
required or requested.
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ALL submissions will receive general constructive feedback from judges.
Contest Logistics
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Judging will take place during the month of July 2026
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Results will be sent to participants between August 1 and 15, 2026 along with revision requests if the story placed or received honorable mention and will be published.
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Revision work with an editor for those whose stories make the cute will take place from August 15 to September 1, 2026.
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Anthology file will be compiled and sent to copy editing and formatting.Final Story for those working with editor will be due September 1, 2026 at which point the final
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Book Launch will be in December 2026; details will be sent closer to the event and posted here as well.
Submission Guidelines
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Send your submissions as 2 Word Documents to inklingspublishing@gmail.com
o Subject Line: HWG Contest Entry
o First Word Document should be titled: (Your Name) Author Information and
contain the following:-
Title of story​
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Author’s name as you wish it to appear in publication
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Author’s legal name
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Contact information for author including
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​Email address, telephone number, and mailing address
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​Author Bio of no more than 500 words that has been professionally edited and is ready for inclusion in the book should your story make the cut.​​​
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​Second Word Document should be titled: (Your Name) + Story Title and be
formatted as follows:-
​Typed in 12 pt Garamond font
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Single spaced
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Header with title of story and page numbering
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Your name should NOT appear anywhere within the document. Do Not Put Your Name in the header or on the first page of the story proper. Judging is blind so if your name is within the document your submission will be disqualified and no refunds will be given.
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​​
If the submission is not sent using the aforementioned formatting requirements, it will be automatically disqualified – no refund of entry fee will be made in such an event. Submissions using AI generated content will be disqualified and no refunds will be issued. Please submit only original stories written by you as a human artist.
Formatting
Subject Line: HWG/WIVLA Contest Entry
Send your submissions as 2 Word Documents to inklingspublishing@gmail.com​
-
Subject Line: HWG Contest Entry
-
First Word Document should be titled: (Your Name) Author Information and
contain the following: -
Title of story
-
Author’s name as you wish it to appear in publication
-
Author’s legal name
-
Contact information for author including:
-
Email address, telephone number, and mailing address
-
-
-
Author Bio of no more than 500 words that has been professionally edited and is ready for inclusion in the book should your story make the cut.
-
Second Word Document should be titled: (Your Name) + Story Title and be formatted as follows:
-
Typed in 12 pt Garamond font
-
Single spaced
-
Header with title of story and page numbering
-
Your name should NOT appear anywhere within the document. Do Not Put Your Name in the header or on the first page of the story proper. Judging is blind so if your name is within the document your submission will be disqualified and no refunds will be given.
-
​​
If the submission is not sent using the aforementioned formatting requirements, it will be automatically disqualified – no refund of entry fee will be made in such an event.
Submissions using AI-generated content will be disqualified and no refunds will be issued. Please submit only original stories written by you as a human artist.
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.
Judge information coming soon!
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.
