All That Glitters
The Elegant Literature award for new writers.
All That Glitters
JANUARY 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
Final Submission Count:
224
About the Contest
Write a story involving all that glitters, and a clock.
$3,000 grand prize.
Feel the thrill in the air. The glitz and glamor as partygoers around the globe ring in the new year. But bright lights and sequin pants don’t always hide the worry beneath…
Appearances are deceiving. The sun sparkles through stained glass but burns if gazed on directly. The sprawling mansion sits on rotting foundations. Vivid colors hide the poison. It seems all that glitters is not gold. The fancy new watch, the car, the necklace… people justify the expense and act surprised when it breaks before it’s time. They accept the big paycheck to help their family, then rarely see them. Makeup conceals age and illness. Ugly motives lurk behind kind faces. Beware the hand of friendship—there’s usually a cost. The offer was too good to be true and the underworld has its hooks in you. The sailor dying of thirst succumbs to salty temptation. But it’s not all doom and gloom. Don’t sacrifice love and honor for glimmering gemstones and you will be rewarded with a rich life. Birthdays, weddings, and joy-filled days. Enjoy the party.
This contest invites you to explore All That Glitters, whatever that means to you. Fantasy, contemporary, romance, crime. All genres are welcome.
Submissions close January 31st at 11:59 pm EST. Contest only open to new writers.
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Meet The Head Judge
Creag Munroe
Creag Munroe has swum with sharks and ridden motorcycles through monsoons, experiences that fuel his fascination with the world’s hidden stories. In 2021, he realized the fiction industry was becoming increasingly hyper-competitive, so built Elegant Literature, a magazine and award exclusively for new writers. Since then he has put over $200k into the hands of authors worldwide, judged the British Fantasy Awards, and read more than 6000 short stories.
Creag is an avid reader who inhales books at an alarming rate, once packing 4 novels for a single flight, just to be safe. He writes about storytelling, personal growth, and building a creative career. Passionate about helping the next generation of writers, he’s committed to empowering them to get their stories out into the world—and be paid for it.
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.
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 January 1st.
The contest closes at 11:59 pm EST on January 31st
Winners will be announced on March 1st.
Entries:
Unlimited. English language only. Must follow the contest theme/prompt and include the word “clock” (or clocks, clocked, etc).
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.
The Elegant Literature award for new writers.
JANUARY 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
Final Submission Count:
224
Meet The Previous Winners
About the Contest
Write a story involving all that glitters, and a clock.
$3,000 grand prize.
Feel the thrill in the air. The glitz and glamor as partygoers around the globe ring in the new year. But bright lights and sequin pants don’t always hide the worry beneath…
Appearances are deceiving. The sun sparkles through stained glass but burns if gazed on directly. The sprawling mansion sits on rotting foundations. Vivid colors hide the poison. It seems all that glitters is not gold. The fancy new watch, the car, the necklace… people justify the expense and act surprised when it breaks before it’s time. They accept the big paycheck to help their family, then rarely see them. Makeup conceals age and illness. Ugly motives lurk behind kind faces. Beware the hand of friendship—there’s usually a cost. The offer was too good to be true and the underworld has its hooks in you. The sailor dying of thirst succumbs to salty temptation. But it’s not all doom and gloom. Don’t sacrifice love and honor for glimmering gemstones and you will be rewarded with a rich life. Birthdays, weddings, and joy-filled days. Enjoy the party.
This contest invites you to explore All That Glitters, whatever that means to you. Fantasy, contemporary, romance, crime. All genres are welcome.
Submissions close January 31st at 11:59 pm EST. Contest only open to new writers.
Share on
Meet The Head Judge
Creag Munroe
Creag Munroe has swum with sharks and ridden motorcycles through monsoons, experiences that fuel his fascination with the world’s hidden stories. In 2021, he realized the fiction industry was becoming increasingly hyper-competitive, so built Elegant Literature, a magazine and award exclusively for new writers. Since then he has put over $200k into the hands of authors worldwide, judged the British Fantasy Awards, and read more than 6000 short stories.
Creag is an avid reader who inhales books at an alarming rate, once packing 4 novels for a single flight, just to be safe. He writes about storytelling, personal growth, and building a creative career. Passionate about helping the next generation of writers, he’s committed to empowering them to get their stories out into the world—and be paid for it.
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.
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 January 1st.
The contest closes at 11:59 pm EST on January 31st
Winners will be announced on March 1st.
Entries:
Unlimited. English language only. Must follow the contest theme/prompt and include the word “clock” (or clocks, clocked, etc).
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.