Open Road
The first magazine to pay professional rates and only accept submissions from new writers.
Current Submission Count:
38
Updated May 24th at 2pm
MAY PRIZES
1st Place:
$3000 + 10c/word and publication
2nd – 10th Place:
10c/word and publication
11th – 35th Place:
$20
Meet The Previous Winners
About the Contest
Write a story involving roads, and a glove.
$3,000 grand prize.
Does the road call to you? To some, it offers freedom, adventure, and opportunity. To others, injury and death. Or, as you slow for the shadowed hitchhiker, you wonder if the risks aren’t more sinister…
Roadtrips, van life, and fugitives on the run. From deserts to coastline to deep-shadowed forests, the open road has a place in our hearts. Whether it calls you to drift or confronts you with the long road home, it’s undeniably a place of self-discovery. Of new faces and new attitudes. Just don’t take a wrong turn, blow a tire, or stop in ghost towns. Beware the long grass and mutant bikers. Don’t roll down the window for strangers, but do give them a lift. Travel by horse and buggy, sneaker and bag, or get behind the wheel, but hit the dusty trail and head into the unknown.
This contest invites you to explore the open road, 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.
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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Are you a new or unpublished author?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.


Meet the Judge
Creag Munroe
Creag is the founder and editor-in-chief of Elegant Literature. He is dedicated to helping new writers achieve success.
Creag is a writing coach and an avid reader who inhales novels at an alarming rate, preferring SF/F as the main staple of his diet. He resides in Toronto, Canada, but swims with sharks and drives motorcycles in monsoons whenever duty allows.
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New or unpublished authors, from anywhere in the world (excluding Quebec, Canada).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.
2nd – 10th: 10c/word and publication.
11th – 35th: $20 USD and an honorable mention in the magazine.
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 May1st.
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 “glove”.
Length:
Minimum 500 words. Maximum 2000. Word count does not include title of work.
Head Judge:
Creag Munroe
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.

Open Road
The first magazine to pay professional rates and only accept submissions from new writers.
The first magazine to pay professional rates and only accept submissions from new writers.
MAY PRIZES
1st Place:
$3000 + 10c/word and publication
2nd – 10th:
10c/word and publication
11th – 35th:
$20
Current Submission Count:
38
Updated May 24th at 2pm
Meet The Previous Winners
About the Contest
Write a story involving roads, and a glove.
$3,000 grand prize.
Does the road call to you? To some, it offers freedom, adventure, and opportunity. To others, injury and death. Or, as you slow for the shadowed hitchhiker, you wonder if the risks aren’t more sinister…
Roadtrips, van life, and fugitives on the run. From deserts to coastline to deep-shadowed forests, the open road has a place in our hearts. Whether it calls you to drift or confronts you with the long road home, it’s undeniably a place of self-discovery. Of new faces and new attitudes. Just don’t take a wrong turn, blow a tire, or stop in ghost towns. Beware the long grass and mutant bikers. Don’t roll down the window for strangers, but do give them a lift. Travel by horse and buggy, sneaker and bag, or get behind the wheel, but hit the dusty trail and head into the unknown.
This contest invites you to explore the open road, 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

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.
2nd – 10th: 10c/word and publication.
11th – 35th: $20 USD and an honorable mention in the magazine.
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 May1st.
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 “glove”.
Length:
Minimum 500 words. Maximum 2000. Word count does not include title of work.
Head Judge:
Creag Munroe
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.