Who’s Afraid of the Dark? Contest

Details

Deadline:Oct 23, 2020
Fee:Free

The Darkness can be a sanctuary, a place to hide from those which might seek to harm you... but it can also conceal those same terrible monsters. In the light, all truth will be revealed, but what happens when that light is blinding... or burns too brightly?

Hallowe’en is a time of such duality. Ghosts and goblins dance about in the streets, as grinning Jack-o-lanterns light their way. The creatures of the night skulk about in shadows, stray moonbeams occasionally catching their hideous forms. The world is drawn in stark contrasts of black and white, sketching a disquieting chiaroscuro.

This Halloween, we’d like you to tell us a scary story that highlights the duality of light and dark. Explore the dual-sided nature of each of these forces, and craft an evocative and nuanced story that will be sure to give us nightmares.

We can’t help but wonder what’s more worrisome: the suffocating shadows of the forest as they close in, slowly enveloping you? Or the eerie lights that watch from the corner of your room, their origin unexplainable, their purpose unknown? Tell us your story.

Prize money for this contest is provided by the Scribophile Writing Contest Prize Fund.

Winning entries

Winners have been announced! Log in to see them.

Prizes

1st prize:$100 cash via PayPal
2nd prize:$75 cash via PayPal
3rd prize:$50 cash via PayPal
4th prize:10 karma points
5th prize:5 karma points

Rules

  • Entries must be received by October 23rd, 2020, 11:59pm UTC.

  • Entries must be 3,000 words or less, per Scribophile’s count.

  • Multiple entries are not allowed.

  • Fiction only, please.

  • No poetry or novel chapters.

  • Work must have Public visibility on Scribophile until winners are announced.

  • If you have placed in a contest in the past with a piece, you may not resubmit that piece to this contest.

Submission guidelines

  • To enter the contest, post your work on Scribophile and check the box that says “Enter this work into the Member-Sponsored Who’s Afraid of the Dark? Contest.”

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

  • Winners should be announced by Oct 31st... in time for Hallowe'en!