Inktober 2023 - Writing Competition

It's been a while since I've posted something new, but rest assured that I have plenty of posts ready and waiting to be published. Until then...

Welcome! I also have an (small-ish?) announcement.

Tomorrow is the first day of October. And if you don't know, there's this challenge that artists do, called Inktober. The challenge, for artists, is to draw a pen and ink drawing for every day in October. There's a list of one-word prompts, and from the prompt, you create a drawing.

I've done this challenge for the past two years. But I (along with quite a few others) put a special twist on it.

You see, the official challenge is for artists. But it's not that hard to turn it into a challenge for authors.

That's what I'm going to do here this year.

Every day of the month, instead of drawing a pen and ink drawing, you write a small flashfiction based off of the prompt.

This year, I'm going to do it with you guys, too. (So make sure to share this with your writing friends to see their different styles of writing in this competition!)

The entire month of October, you can submit (at most) two of your Inktober snippets to me (via this form). I'll read them, and I (along with a possible second judge) will judge the writings, based on plot, prose, and emotion. (Don't worry, I won't be judging my own writing.)

The prizes:

Honorary mention: two custom bookmarks, and the story being posted on the blog.

For third place: three custom bookmarks or one custom character/story collage, and the story being posted on the blog.

For second place: a custom book cover and a custom bookmark, and the story being posted on the blog.

And last but not least, the first place prize is two custom book covers and either two custom bookmarks or one custom character/story collage, and the story being posted on the blog.

(Note: aren't sure you want me to design the things? Contact me for examples of my work so you can see if you want the prize!)

Upload your snippets for this competition here.

Of course, you can compete and opt to not get your prizes, but...well, prizes do make things more fun...

The official rules:

• Each competitor can upload AT MOST two (2) flashfictions.

• Said flashfictions must be in between 100 and 500 words.

• Said flashfictions must have been written in between October 1, 2023 and October 31, 2023

• Said flashfictions must include at least one of the words from the official prompt list (included below)

• Stories will be immediately disqualified if they include any curse word, or include inappropriate topics (for the purpose of this competition, please ensure that your stories would not be shocking or too inappropriate for a ten year old child).

• The creator and judge of this competition (the writer of this blog) reserves the right to disqualify any competitor at her discretion and also reserves the right to deny any competitor the right to be published on her blog.

But that's not all!

Unsure if you'd win any prizes, doubting your writing abilities, and/or wanting to write consistently? Look no further!

This year, not only will I be giving prizes to the winners of the competition, but for every person who writes a flashfiction for 31 Inktober prompts, I will be giving three bookmarks (the design of which will be voted on throughout the month).

Additionally, if all 31 snippets follow the same story/plot line, I may decide to post all 31 snippets on my blog (however, this is not promised, and it also means it's important to include your email if you want this to happen, so I can contact you about it).

The rules for this competition:

• You must have written on at least 21 out of 31 days of October to qualify for this competition.

• You must use the format (shown in this document) to qualify for this competition (although font changes are accepted).

• A competitor may compete in both competitions at once, but cannot claim multiple prizes. (For example, if you were to compete in the "best snippet" competition, and this one as well, and you wrote all 31 snippets but also won second place, you'd have to decide between the bookmark prize and the second place prize.)

• Stories will be immediately disqualified if they include any curse word, or include inappropriate topics (for the purpose of this competition, please ensure that your stories would not be shocking or too inappropriate for a twelve year old child*).

• The creator and judge of this competition (the writer of this blog) reserves the right to disqualify any competitor at her discretion and also reserves the right to deny any competitor the right to be published on her blog.

*You may realize that these rules are a little bit different, purely because the point of this exercise is not to win and have your story posted, but to write for 31 days straight.

But aside from those rules, let your creativity run wild and have fun!

Upload your snippets for this competition here.

And last but not least, the official prompt (taken from inktober.com):

Should I make this an annual thing? Questions? Comments? Want clarification? Don't hesitate to comment below what you think!