Behind The Veil
The Elegant Literature award for new writers.
Behind The Veil
FEBRUARY 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:
268
Updated February 28th at 11pm
About the Contest
Write a story involving behind the veil, and a cork.
$3,000 grand prize.
How do you feel as you lift the wedding veil? As you lay the burial shroud? When you stand at life’s final doorway, will you look back and say you tried to reveal truth, or to conceal it?
Veils obscure what’s right in front of our eyes. The great wizard is only a man behind the curtain. It’s smoke and mirrors—and there’s always another secret. Try to read between the lines and glean the truth wrapped in lies. Disguises, double-meanings, and false trails. Even the sun hides behind the moon. Be wary of peering too closely at the darkness, where unseen creatures shift in the night. But light blinds as easily as shadows, so hold your lantern high and hope the lighthouse pierces the fog. Still, veils keep us safe. Sane. Just ask anyone who’s glimpsed the future and seen their death. Is reality that brittle? But hush now, the masked performers are waiting backstage. The curtain rises, our story begins.
This contest invites you to explore behind the veil, 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.
Share on:
Meet The Head Judge
Jordan Kantey
Jordan Kantey is an editor, writer and writing workshop host and has been helping authors develop their stories for ten years. He gained his Honours in English Literature from the University of Cape Town (with distinction), and has had poems published in several journals and an anthology. He blogs about writing craft and process at Now Novel, and loves to help aspiring authors reach their goals.
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Are you a new or unpublished author?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New or unpublished authors, from anywhere in the world (excluding Quebec, Canada).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 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 “cork” (or corks, uncorked, etc).
Length:
Minimum 500 words. Maximum 2000. Word count does not include title of work.
Guest Head Judge:
Jordan Kantey
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.
FEBRUARY 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:
268
Updated February 28th at 11pm
Meet The Previous Winners
About the Contest
Write a story involving behind the veil, and a cork.
$3,000 grand prize.
How do you feel as you lift the wedding veil? As you lay the burial shroud? When you stand at life’s final doorway, will you look back and say you tried to reveal truth, or to conceal it?
Veils obscure what’s right in front of our eyes. The great wizard is only a man behind the curtain. It’s smoke and mirrors—and there’s always another secret. Try to read between the lines and glean the truth wrapped in lies. Disguises, double-meanings, and false trails. Even the sun hides behind the moon. Be wary of peering too closely at the darkness, where unseen creatures shift in the night. But light blinds as easily as shadows, so hold your lantern high and hope the lighthouse pierces the fog. Still, veils keep us safe. Sane. Just ask anyone who’s glimpsed the future and seen their death. Is reality that brittle? But hush now, the masked performers are waiting backstage. The curtain rises, our story begins.
This contest invites you to explore behind the veil, 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.
Share on
Meet The Head Judge
Jordan Kantey
Jordan Kantey is an editor, writer and writing workshop host and has been helping authors develop their stories for ten years. He gained his Honours in English Literature from the University of Cape Town (with distinction), and has had poems published in several journals and an anthology. He blogs about writing craft and process at Now Novel, and loves to help aspiring authors reach their goals.
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 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 “cork” (or corks, uncorked, etc).
Length:
Minimum 500 words. Maximum 2000. Word count does not include title of work.
Guest Head Judge:
Jordan Kantey
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.