World Builders
The Elegant Literature award for new writers.
World Builders
NOVEMBER 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:
148
About the Contest
Write a story involving world builders, and a hammer.
$3,000 grand prize.
Are you a storyteller at heart? There’s a power in that, for you bring entire worlds to life. And if you choose your words carefully, you might just change ours…
Stories shape our lives, from business to culture to entertainment. There’s truth in fiction. But “worldbuilding” is a fantasy and science fiction word coined in 1965, so what about earlier? Gravity, time, and the Gods were the first forces to build the world. Then came humans, with the vision and drive to change it. Empires, war, and map-makers. History is written by the victor. Craftsmen build what you see, and propaganda changes how you see it. Archeologists assemble the past, leaders and lawmakers mold the present, but who will forge the future? Will it be us, terraforming for expansion? Generation ships and simulations. Or will AI model the world in its own image and leave us behind, or worse? Can advanced civilizations manufacture planets from stardust? Whether through science or magic or sheer force of will, individuals have the power to build the world up… or tear it down.
This contest invites you to explore World Builders, whatever that means to you. Fantasy, contemporary, romance, crime. All genres are welcome.
Submissions close November 30th at 11:59 pm EST. Contest only open to new writers.
Share on:
Meet The Guest Judge
Nathan Baugh
Nathan Baugh writes about the power of storytelling on Twitter, LinkedIn, and to more than 40k newsletter subscribers every week. Topics include Pixar’s rules for storytelling, Neil Gaiman’s writing process, and how we can learn more about the world from fiction than non-fiction. He’s a sci-fi and fantasy junkie.
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Are you a new or unpublished author?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New or unpublished authors, from anywhere in the world (excluding Quebec, Canada).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 November 1st.
The contest closes at 11:59 pm EST on November 30th.
Winners will be announced on January 1st.
Entries:
Unlimited. English language only. Must follow the contest theme/prompt and include the word “hammer” (or hammers, hammered, etc).
Length:
Minimum 500 words. Maximum 2000. Word count does not include title of work.
Head Judge:
Nathan Baugh
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.
NOVEMBER 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:
148
Meet The Previous Winners
About the Contest
Write a story involving world builders, and a hammer.
$3,000 grand prize.
Are you a storyteller at heart? There’s a power in that, for you bring entire worlds to life. And if you choose your words carefully, you might just change ours…
Stories shape our lives, from business to culture to entertainment. There’s truth in fiction. But “worldbuilding” is a fantasy and science fiction word coined in 1965, so what about earlier? Gravity, time, and the Gods were the first forces to build the world. Then came humans, with the vision and drive to change it. Empires, war, and map-makers. History is written by the victor. Craftsmen build what you see, and propaganda changes how you see it. Archeologists assemble the past, leaders and lawmakers mold the present, but who will forge the future? Will it be us, terraforming for expansion? Generation ships and simulations. Or will AI model the world in its own image and leave us behind, or worse? Can advanced civilizations manufacture planets from stardust? Whether through science or magic or sheer force of will, individuals have the power to build the world up… or tear it down.
This contest invites you to explore World Builders, whatever that means to you. Fantasy, contemporary, romance, crime. All genres are welcome.
Submissions close November 30th at 11:59 pm EST. Contest only open to new writers.
Share on
Meet The Guest Judge
Nathan Baugh
Nathan Baugh writes about the power of storytelling on Twitter, LinkedIn, and to more than 40k newsletter subscribers every week. Topics include Pixar’s rules for storytelling, Neil Gaiman’s writing process, and how we can learn more about the world from fiction than non-fiction. He’s a sci-fi and fantasy junkie.
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 November 1st.
The contest closes at 11:59 pm EST on November 30th.
Winners will be announced on January 1st.
Entries:
Unlimited. English language only. Must follow the contest theme/prompt and include the word “hammer” (or hammers, hammered, etc).
Length:
Minimum 500 words. Maximum 2000. Word count does not include title of work.
Head Judge:
Nathan Baugh
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.