Inescapable Infatuation
New Writers Only
Total Submission Count:
90
FEBRUARY PRIZES
1st Place:
$3000 + 10c/word and publication
2nd – 10th Place:
10c/word and publication
11th – 35th Place:
$20
About the Contest
Write a story involving intense desire, and a rose.
$3,000 grand prize.
Ah, the season of love, when new couples tingle with electricity and ancient soulmates reaffirm their vows. How poetic. But what if you don’t feel tender and warm? What if your adoration goes unanswered? Do you accept rejection, or do you feed the fire and hunger for more?
Infatuation. With two willing parties it forms the base of a deeper connection, but when one-sided causes grief and heartbreak. Jealous acts result in shame. Triangles, spurned lovers, and forbidden partners. Competitions for affection leave someone hurt. But we can’t help it. Incapable of being ignored or denied, we make fools of ourselves to get what we want. It’s greed, not love, and it can go too far. What happens when fondness turns to devotion, becoming worship? When you idolize the object of your affection and would do anything for them—even die? What happens when our cravings become obsession?
This contest invites you to explore an intense desire, whatever that means to you. Fantasy, contemporary, romance, crime. All genres are welcome.
Submissions close February 28th at 11:59 pm EST. Contest only open to new writers. More details below.
Meet the Head Judge
Max Gladstone
Hugo-, Nebula-, and Locus Award winning author Max Gladstone’s works include Empress of Forever, the Craft Sequence of fantasy novels and games, and, with Amal El-Mohtar, the internationally bestselling This is How You Lose the Time War. His interactive projects include the XYZZY-nominated Choice of the Deathless and Deathless: The City’s Thirst, which take place in the world of the Craft Sequence. Gladstone created the Serial Box series Bookburners, and the interactive television series Wizard School Dropout.
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Are you a new or unpublished author?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New or unpublished authors, from anywhere in the world (excluding Quebec, Canada).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 “Submit Story” in the navigation bar. 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 February 1st.
The contest closes at 11:59 pm EST on February 28th.
Winners will be announced on April 1st.
Entries:
Unlimited. English language only. Must follow the contest theme/prompt and include the word “rose”.
Length:
Minimum 500 words. Maximum 2000. Word count does not include title of work.
Head Judge:
TBA
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.
Inescapable Infatuation
New Writers Only
1st Place:
$3000 + 10c/word and publication
2nd – 10th:
10c/word and publication
11th – 35th:
$20
Total Submission Count:
90
About the Contest
Write a story involving intense desire, and a rose.
$3,000 grand prize.
Ah, the season of love, when new couples tingle with electricity and ancient soulmates reaffirm their vows. How poetic. But what if you don’t feel tender and warm? What if your adoration goes unanswered? Do you accept rejection, or do you feed the fire and hunger for more?
Infatuation. With two willing parties it forms the base of a deeper connection, but when one-sided causes grief and heartbreak. Jealous acts result in shame. Triangles, spurned lovers, and forbidden partners. Competitions for affection leave someone hurt. But we can’t help it. Incapable of being ignored or denied, we make fools of ourselves to get what we want. It’s greed, not love, and it can go too far. What happens when fondness turns to devotion, becoming worship? When you idolize the object of your affection and would do anything for them—even die? What happens when our cravings become obsession?
This contest invites you to explore an intense desire, whatever that means to you. Fantasy, contemporary, romance, crime. All genres are welcome.
Submissions close February 28th at 11:59 pm EST. Contest only open to new writers. More details below.
Share this contest with friends.
Meet the Head Judge
Max Gladstone
Hugo-, Nebula-, and Locus Award winning author Max Gladstone’s works include Empress of Forever, the Craft Sequence of fantasy novels and games, and, with Amal El-Mohtar, the internationally bestselling This is How You Lose the Time War. His interactive projects include the XYZZY-nominated Choice of the Deathless and Deathless: The City’s Thirst, which take place in the world of the Craft Sequence. Gladstone created the Serial Box series Bookburners, and the interactive television series Wizard School Dropout.
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 “Submit Story” in the navigation bar. 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 February 1st.
The contest closes at 11:59 pm EST on February 28th.
Winners will be announced on April 1st.
Entries:
Unlimited. English language only. Must follow the contest theme/prompt and include the word “rose”.
Length:
Minimum 500 words. Maximum 2000. Word count does not include title of work.
Head Judge:
TBA
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.