1️⃣ PROMPT SYSTEM

This contest uses a four-category prompt format.

Each category contains four choices. Pick one from each category to build your own unique prompt.

Your story must include all four chosen elements in a meaningful way.

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2️⃣ WORD COUNT

Stories can be up to 2,000 words.

There’s no minimum, but anything over 2,000 will be disqualified, so check before submitting.

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3️⃣ SUBMISSIONS

• Entries remain anonymous until the winners are revealed.

• You’ll have two weeks to write and submit your story.

• Clearly tag any NSFW or sensitive content.

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4️⃣ FEEDBACK LEVELS (CHOOSE YOUR COLOUR)

Writers can choose the level of feedback they’re comfortable receiving. Please respect their choice.

🟩 Green — Kind and gentle

• Positive feedback only.

• Highlight what you liked and why.

• Keep it light and encouraging.

• If you have nothing nice to say, skip it.

🟨 Yellow — Balanced and constructive

• Share what worked and what could be improved.

• Mention clear issues or rough spots, but stay considerate.

• The aim is to help, not to hammer.

🟥 Red — Deep critique

• No holding back. Detailed, in-depth feedback encouraged.

• Analyse structure, pacing, dialogue, tone — whatever stands out.

• Be thorough but respectful. The goal is to strengthen, not demoralise.

Please make it clear in your submission which rating you would like to choose. For all who do not, you will automatically be set to 🟨 Yellow

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5️⃣ JUDGING & VOTING

• Voting is handled through a voting form on the contest page of the host website.

• Each voter submits three selections: one for Top Choice, one for Runner-Up, and one for Best Critique Giver.

• Top Choice votes are worth 3 points.

• Runner-Up votes are worth 1 point.

• Best Critique Giver votes are worth 1 point.

• No self-voting. Any vote cast for yourself will not be counted.

• All votes carry the same weight, whether cast by participants or readers.

• If there is a tie for first place, the hosts will cast deciding votes.

• If the hosts cannot break the tie, the prize will be split evenly between the tied top entries.

• Voting opens three days before the contest ends and closes on the final day.

• Author names will be revealed after the final results are announced.

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6️⃣ TIMELINE

🕒 Writing Period: 2 weeks

📖 Reading & Critiquing: Flexible, depending on entry count.

If the contest receives a large number of stories, the reading and critique period will be extended to give everyone enough time to read, respond, and vote properly.

📅 Voting: Polls open 3 days before the contest ends.

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7️⃣ CONTENT GUIDELINES

• NSFW content is allowed, but must be clearly tagged.

• Violence, gore, and mature themes (including but not limited to blood, suicide, self-harm, or abuse) are permitted, but must include clear trigger warnings in the author notes at the top of your story.

• Sensitive or controversial topics (including hate speech, discrimination, or morally dark content) are allowed if they serve a genuine narrative purpose. Gratuitous or deliberately harmful writing that targets real-world groups or individuals will not be accepted.

• Avoid shock value for its own sake — aim for storytelling, not provocation.

• AI tools may be used for editing and refinement only, not for full story generation. While it’s difficult to verify, AI-written stories tend to stand out, and we strongly discourage relying on them.

• No plagiarism. Entries must be your own original work.

• Keep formatting clear and readable to ensure everyone can engage comfortably.

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8️⃣ SPIRIT OF THE CONTEST

Write boldly. Read generously. Critique with honesty and care.

This is a space built on creativity, community, and respect — make it something to be proud of.