Fool's Errand
The Elegant Literature award for new writers.
Fool's Errand
MAY AWARDS
1st Place:
$3000 Elegant Literature Award
10c/word and publication
Free enrollment in New Novelist Accelerator
2nd – 10th Place:
10c/word and publication
11th – 35th Place:
$20
Early Bird
Now Novel Package ($65 value)
Current Submission Count:
67
Updated May 23rd at 8pm
About the Contest
Write a story involving Fool’s Errand, and a cage.
$3,000 grand prize.
Embark on the futile quest. Can you hear the whispers of the impossible, drawing you like a moth to the flame? What secrets lie within the hearts of those who chase the unattainable, the improbable, the absurd?
Fool’s gold, a wild goose chase, or the search for the philosopher’s stone. Tasks born from folly and curiosity, undertaken in earnest. For fortune, knowledge, or the thrill of adventure. Follow the map across shifting sands, over the highest peaks, and to the very edge of the world. Further, to the realm of gods to challenge the trickster himself. But the quest need not be so grand. A rite of initiation. A novice sent out for a left-hand screwdriver or the dreaded “long weight”. Or perhaps it’s something more personal. A beautiful soul, their love unattainable. What mad acts will you perform to win the object of your desire? A triumph of human resilience and futility. When the chase is done, will you have succumbed to the inevitable, or achieved the impossible?
This contest invites you to explore fool’s errand, whatever that means to you. Fantasy, contemporary, romance, crime. All genres are welcome.
Submissions close May 31st at 11:59 pm EST. Contest only open to new writers.
Share on:
Meet The Guest Judge
Richie Billing
Richie hosts the podcast The Fantasy Writers’ Toolshed, a venture inspired by the requests of readers of his critically-acclaimed book, A Fantasy Writers’ Handbook.
When not writing, Richie works as an editor and digital marketer and teaches creative writing both online and offline, as well as speaking at events and conventions like Fantasycon.
Past Judges
Read stories from
the last contest.
Get it in your inbox (it’s free).
Are you a new or unpublished author? We want to see your work. Check out the link below to learn what we are looking for.
Contest Short Rules
Who can enter?
New or unpublished authors, from anywhere in the world (excluding Quebec, Canada). Full details here.
Prize:
1st place: $3,000 USD. Free enrollment in the New Novelist Accelerator.
2nd – 10th: 10c/word and publication.
11th – 35th: $20 USD and an honorable mention in the magazine.
Early Bird: Now Novel Package, including lifetime membership, plot and character guides (est. value $65 USD). Awarded to the top judged, non-published story submitted by midnight on the 15th of the month.
How to enter: Sign up for an Elegant+ Membership and visit the Members Area, or click “Enter Now” on the contest page. Fill out the form and copy/paste (preferred method) or upload a file containing your work.
Important Dates:
The contest opens at 12:01 am EST on May 1st.
The contest closes at 11:59 pm EST on May 31st.
Winners will be announced on July 1st.
Entries:
Unlimited. English language only. Must follow the contest theme/prompt and include the word “cage” (or caged, cages, etc).
Length:
Minimum 500 words. Maximum 2000. Word count does not include title of work.
Head Judge:
Richie Billing
Selection Criteria:
The Judge will choose the winner based on:
Creativity
Character
Structure & Flow
Quality of Writing
For more information, please see the full Contest Rules.
For answers to common questions, please see the FAQ.
We have a uniquely streamlined Publication Process. Read about it here.
See our Submission Guidelines for information on how to increase your chance of selection.
The Elegant Literature award for new writers.
MAY AWARDS
1st Place:
$3000 Elegant Literature Award
10c/word and publication
Free enrollment in New Novelist Accelerator
2nd – 10th Place:
10c/word and publication
11th – 35th Place:
$20
Early Bird
Now Novel Package ($65 value)
Current Submission Count:
67
Updated May 23rd at 8pm
Meet The Previous Winners
About the Contest
Write a story involving Fool’s Errand, and a cage.
$3,000 grand prize.
Embark on the futile quest. Can you hear the whispers of the impossible, drawing you like a moth to the flame? What secrets lie within the hearts of those who chase the unattainable, the improbable, the absurd?
Fool’s gold, a wild goose chase, or the search for the philosopher’s stone. Tasks born from folly and curiosity, undertaken in earnest. For fortune, knowledge, or the thrill of adventure. Follow the map across shifting sands, over the highest peaks, and to the very edge of the world. Further, to the realm of gods to challenge the trickster himself. But the quest need not be so grand. A rite of initiation. A novice sent out for a left-hand screwdriver or the dreaded “long weight”. Or perhaps it’s something more personal. A beautiful soul, their love unattainable. What mad acts will you perform to win the object of your desire? A triumph of human resilience and futility. When the chase is done, will you have succumbed to the inevitable, or achieved the impossible?
This contest invites you to explore fool’s errand, whatever that means to you. Fantasy, contemporary, romance, crime. All genres are welcome.
Submissions close May 31st at 11:59 pm EST. Contest only open to new writers.
Share on
Meet The Guest Judge
Richie Billing
Richie hosts the podcast The Fantasy Writers’ Toolshed, a venture inspired by the requests of readers of his critically-acclaimed book, A Fantasy Writers’ Handbook.
When not writing, Richie works as an editor and digital marketer and teaches creative writing both online and offline, as well as speaking at events and conventions like Fantasycon.
Past Judges
Read stories from
the last contest.
Get it in your inbox (it’s free).
Are you a new or unpublished author? We want to see your work. Check out the link below to learn what we are looking for.
Contest Short Rules
Who can enter?
New or unpublished authors, from anywhere in the world (excluding Quebec, Canada). Full details here.
Prize:
1st place: $3,000 USD. Free enrollment in the New Novelist Accelerator.
2nd – 10th: 10c/word and publication.
11th – 35th: $20 USD and an honorable mention in the magazine.
Early Bird: Now Novel Package, including lifetime membership, plot and character guides (est. value $65 USD). Awarded to the top judged, non-published story submitted by midnight on the 15th of the month.
How to enter: Sign up for an Elegant+ Membership and visit the Members Area, or click “Enter Now” on the contest page. Fill out the form and copy/paste (preferred method) or upload a file containing your work.
Important Dates:
The contest opens at 12:01 am EST on May 1st.
The contest closes at 11:59 pm EST on May 31st.
Winners will be announced on July 1st.
Entries:
Unlimited. English language only. Must follow the contest theme/prompt and include the word “cage” (or caged, cages, etc).
Length:
Minimum 500 words. Maximum 2000. Word count does not include title of work.
Head Judge:
Richie Billing
Selection Criteria:
The Judge will choose the winner based on:
Creativity
Character
Structure & Flow
Quality of Writing
For more information, please see the full Contest Rules.
For answers to common questions, please see the FAQ.
We have a uniquely streamlined Publication Process. Read about it here.
See our Submission Guidelines for information on how to increase your chance of selection.