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Mirror Image

The first magazine to pay professional rates and only accept submissions from new writers.

Current Submission Count:

163

Updated April 30th at 830pm

APRIL PRIZES

1st Place:
$3000 + 10c/word and publication

2nd – 10th Place:
10c/word and publication

11th – 35th Place:
$20

Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
Submissions Closed

About the Contest

Write a story involving reflections, and an apple.
$3,000 grand prize.

Look in the mirror. Who stares back at you? Some of us see prettier, smarter versions of ourselves, while others focus on the wrinkles and rolls. Or maybe you see the masked intruder looking over your shoulder…

Reflections have long fascinated us, from still lakes and polished silver to selfies and futuristic wardrobes. But the concept is more than literal—philosophy holds thoughts as a mirror to the universe. Science puts them to use in lasers and telescopes. As writers, we use literary foils to mirror and contrast characters. The symbolism is deeply ingrained. Wisdom, awareness, truth. Distorted reflections suggest deceit and delusion. Shattered mirrors are bad luck. Do you cover glass surfaces after a death to avoid trapping the spirit? And why is it you’re so reluctant to shut the bathroom vanity alone in the dark?

This contest invites you to explore mirrors and reflections, whatever that means to you. Fantasy, contemporary, romance, crime. All genres are welcome.

Submissions close April 30th at 11:59 pm EST. Contest only open to new writers.

More details below.

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Are you a new or unpublished author?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.

Submission Guidelines

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New or unpublished authors, from anywhere in the world (excluding Quebec, Canada).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 April 1st.
The contest closes at 11:59 pm EST on April 30th.
Winners will be announced on June 1st.

Entries: 
Unlimited. English language only. Must follow the contest theme/prompt and include the word “apple”.

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.

Mirror Image

The first magazine to pay professional rates and only accept submissions from new writers.

Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
Submissions Closed

The first magazine to pay professional rates and only accept submissions from new writers.

April Prizes

1st Place:
$3000 + 10c/word and publication

2nd – 10th:
10c/word and publication

11th – 35th:
$20

Current Submission Count:

163

Updated April 30th at 830pm

About the Contest

Write a story involving reflections, and an apple.
$3,000 grand prize.

Look in the mirror. Who stares back at you? Some of us see prettier, smarter versions of ourselves, while others focus on the wrinkles and rolls. Or maybe you see the masked intruder looking over your shoulder…

Reflections have long fascinated us, from still lakes and polished silver to selfies and futuristic wardrobes. But the concept is more than literal—philosophy holds thoughts as a mirror to the universe. Science puts them to use in lasers and telescopes. As writers, we use literary foils to mirror and contrast characters. The symbolism is deeply ingrained. Wisdom, awareness, truth. Distorted reflections suggest deceit and delusion. Shattered mirrors are bad luck. Do you cover glass surfaces after a death to avoid trapping the spirit? And why is it you’re so reluctant to shut the bathroom vanity alone in the dark?

This contest invites you to explore mirrors and reflections, whatever that means to you. Fantasy, contemporary, romance, crime. All genres are welcome.

Submissions close April 30th at 11:59 pm EST. Contest only open to new writers.

More details below.

Days
Hours
Minutes
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.

Submission Guidelines

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 April 1st.
The contest closes at 11:59 pm EST on April 30th.
Winners will be announced on June 1st.

Entries: 
Unlimited. English language only. Must follow the contest theme/prompt and include the word “apple”.

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.