Off-site story and poetry contests

It helps to know who's behind a competition. I'd never post, or suggest the Writers of the Future competition. Some people find it useful, but I don't really care. It's associated with L. Ron Hubbard. Unless you're hoping to earn yourself a place on the mothership when it arrives, I wouldn't touch it.
 
Homer Potvin said:
Publishers are actively incorporating AI into their submission and evaluation processes at the expense of human editors. To what degree, I have no idea, but I wouldn't hang my hat on that. Like I've said many times here and on the OG, no for profit institution in the history of human civilization ever rejected a technological advance on moral grounds and lived to tell about it. I ain't saying AI is going to write the books of the future, but the AI assist is already reaching the mainstream.
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Well, you know my stance on AI. I find it genuinely useful for feedback and critique, but it's easy to misuse., and just get it to confirm what you already think. That's why I started that AI thread in the first place, I was trying to show people how not to misuse it. "Misuse" is a loaded term though, what I call misuse might be outright abuse to some people, it might be not going far enough with AI to others. It's all down to your personal stance on it.

Yeah, I'm one of those people who says "I would never get AI to write something for me", and I stand by that. You still have to use your judgement as to which part of its feedback you agree with or not, just like you have to in the workshop.

I see plenty of workshop entries (not here) where the only feedback people get are some line level edits, or someone saying "read this craft book! It'll make you a super duper writer!". That ain't better than what an AI will tell you, and actually damaging, especially when the person giving it doesn't understand the advice they're parroting. "Show, don't tell" my arse.

<RANT MODE OFF>
 
I resisted touching AI at all for a long time. Then I tried to have it evaluate work and it's been hit or miss (even with the suggestions in that thread), but it has given some helpful points overall. The few occasions where it tried to write for me before I figured out how to make it stop were horrific, lol.
 
AI aside the other thing about this is do you get the 5k as cash or do you get 5k off their services?

It reads like bait for a vanity publisher to me
 

Uncharted Magazine Cinematic Short Story Contest​

January 05 to March 08, 2026​

Judged by Ananda Lima​


We invite writers to submit to the Uncharted Magazine Cinematic Short Story Contest from January 05 to March 08, 2026. This award is for all of our genres: Science Fiction/Fantasy, Thriller/Mystery (Horror), Young Adult, Historical Fiction, and Humor stories.

Guest Judge Ananda Lima will choose three winning stories from our shortlist. We’re excited to offer the first-place winner of this contest $2,000 and publication, while the second- and third-place winners will receive publication and $300 and $200, respectively.

GUIDELINES

  • The entry deadline is March 08, 2026. We will announce the shortlist within fourteen weeks of the contest’s close. All writers will be notified when the results are in.
  • Your $20 reading fee allows ONE cinematic short story of 1,001–5,000 words per entry.
  • We encourage multiple submissions—each story should be submitted separately, accompanied by a reading fee.
  • Writers from historically marginalized groups can submit for free until we reach our cap of twenty-five free submissions. No additional fee waivers will be granted.
  • Please submit short stories only—5,000 word count maximum.
  • We only consider unpublished work for contests—we do not review reprints, including self-published work (even on blogs and social media). Reprints will be automatically disqualified.
  • Simultaneous submissions are okay—please notify us immediately and withdraw your entry if you find another home for your writing.
  • All entries will also be considered for publication in Uncharted.
  • Double-space your submission and use Times New Roman 12 (or larger if needed).
  • Please include a brief cover letter with your publication history (if applicable).
  • Please include a content warning to help safeguard our staff (if applicable).
  • We only read work in English, though some code-switching/meshing is warmly welcomed.
  • We do not read anonymous submissions. However, shortlisted stories are sent anonymously to the judge.
  • AI-generated work will be automatically disqualified.
 
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