A fun weekly writing challenge community

Option 1 :

• Fried rice
• Cardboard dreams
• One lone shoe
• Acceleration


Option 2



Option 3

The Fred Otto Prize for Oz Fiction.
"Oz Fiction" is defined as any story about or pertaining to the Land of Oz as originally created by author L. Frank Baum in the book "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" and its sequels, but stories need not be confined to Baum's vision. Submissions about or pertaining to the Land of Oz in any of its forms will be accepted. Stories may follow on from Oz books, Oz plays, Oz movies, Magic Land, or any other fictional version of Oz.
BOUNDARIES: Maximum word count: 10,000 words.
Deadline: June 30, 2012.
Info: research@winkies.org;

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Option 1 :

• Closet land
• Broken mirrors
• No worries
• Dying star


Option 2




Option 3

100 x 100 - One Hundred Short Shorts, One Hundred Words Long (title excluded)
Only one submission per author.
Deadline: June 1, 2012.
GUIDELINES: http://www.marcopoloartsmag.com/Guidelines
Send submission to marcopoloartsmag@gmail.com.


Option 4
A previous prompt. Please reference the challenge number and what the prompt was.

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Option 1 :

• The paper book demise
• Answering the call
• Lost divinity
• Dream factory

Option 2



Option 3

The Chameleon Theatre Circle 13th annual New Play Contest.
All submissions must be original works that have not been produced.
The company is accepting 10-minute plays, one-acts and full-length features, including musicals.
Deadline: May 31, 2012.
Info: www.chameleontheatre.org/newplay/index.php

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Option 1 :

• The fennel folk
• You say this as if you’d care
• A favourite book
• Emotional algebra

Option 2



Option 3

Watch Me Bounce "Resilience" Writing Contest.
BOUNDARIES: Poetry 3-30 lines in length; stories 50-3000 words, fiction or nonfiction, in any genre, but must be themed around the topic of "resilience."
Deadline: May 20, 2012.
Info: www.WatchMeBounce.com


Option 4
A previous prompt. Please reference the challenge number and what the prompt was.

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Option 1 :

• Lost names on a bottle
• Packing suitcases
• Celery city
• Kitchen memories


Option 2




Option 3

FBFT Sports Writing Competition 2012.
Boundaries up to 1500 words in length and must be related to sport (prose or poetry, fiction or non-fiction)
Deadline: midnight on May 13, 2012.
Info: www.freebetsfreetips.com/blog/fbft-sports-writing-competition

WARNING: If you do enter that competition, may I suggest that you use a safe ad hoc email address? This is a commercial site and looks like it the type that could spam you with nonsense later on…

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Option 1

• Before beginning, prepare carefully
• Where to find me
• Ghazal
• Selling memory

Option 2




Option 3

Short story competition at The Abstract Quill
Deadline 15 May 2012
Guidelines
Boundaries: 500 – 5,000 words (fiction) OR 20-500 words (poetry)


Option 4

Anything you want

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Option 1

• Attempt no landing there
• Ransom buds
• Cargoes of dreams
• White feathers

Option 2



Option 3

Call for Submission: Speculative Novellas of Older Women http://crossedgenres.com/submissions/winter-well-speculative-novellas-of-older-women/
GENRE Science Fiction and/or Fantasy novellas
BOUNDARIES; 17,500-40,000 words (firm)
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: September 30, 2012

Option 4

An unfinished prompt. Please reference the challenge number and what the prompt was.

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Option 1

• Synthetic saints
• Almost memories
• Found poem
• Another tragedy

Option 2



Option 3

On the Premises mini contest 17 Doggerel
For mini-contest #17, write a humorous rhyming poem that tells a story.
Length: No more than eight lines, and no more than 75 words total.
One entry per author. No charge for entering.
Deadline: 11:59 PM Eastern Time, Sunday, April 29.

Option 4

Any prompt listed in this article (or anything else inspired by this article)
(Yes, I have already used one of them last week but there are plenty more there)

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Option 1

• Orfeo Furioso
• roots of desire
• knitting principles
• A small piece of blue cardboard


Option 2



Option 3

Enter The Golden Blaster Award (short script part)!

The Golden Blasters (The National Irish Science Fiction Film Awards) is a film festival dedicated to short science fiction, fantasy and horror stories.
Scripts can be up to twenty pages in length and must be in the correct format (Courier, font size 12).
Deadline: 30th April 2012 (early birds), 30th June 2012 (standard)
Genres: SF, Fantasy, Horror

No particular formatting guidelines specified but examples of script forms can be found here.


********

EDIT - WARNING: Apparently there is a 10 euro fee for submission to the award (not obvious from the call for submission page). Sorry about this.

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Option 1

• Raining on the inside
• War room
• The dream bar
• Fuchsia

Option 2 (picture)



Option 3 (publication or contest)

2012 TIFERET Writ­ing Con­test . Creative work that expresses spiritual experiences and/or promotes tolerance
http://tiferet.submishmash.com/submit
Deadline: June 1, 2012

Option 4

What does this piece of music inspire you? http://soundcloud.com/alessandracelletti/02-le-jour-dans-la-nuit

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Sorry about the delay!

Option 1

· A pinch of incense
· Developing scales
· And there's the rub…
· the prawn wrap

Option 2 (picture)



Option 3 (publication or contest)

ON THE PREMISES
Humorous prose is not taken seriously in today’s literary world. We aim to rectify that. We dare you to write a short piece of fiction that makes us laugh, or at least smile. If you can make us laugh and think, or laugh and feel deeply about someone or something, all the better.
Deadline: Thursday, May 31, 2012, 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
Size limit: At least 1,000 words but no more than 5,000

Option 4

An unfinished prompt. Please reference the challenge number and what the prompt was.

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Option 1

• Grotesque
• Specialization is for insects
• Villanelle
• Archaeology of wires

Option 2



Option 3

AE yearly microfiction contest. This year’s theme is “space.” No more than 200 words including the title. Deadline March 26.

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Option 1:
*asking for something back
*prison cell
*final judgement
*couples date

Option 2:

Masquerade, by Sandman-AC, on deviantart.com

Option 3:
For the U.S:
Write a story 3,500 words, or less, due March 1st, 2012. There is no entry fee, and cash prizes are awarded. Copyright is limited.

Option 4:
Flatt Prize for Literature:

INTERRUPTED is the theme of this next writing contest, which calls for submissions up to 3K, with no entry fee attached. Please be sure to follow the submission guidelines. Stories are due April 12th, 2012.

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Option 1:
*no memory
*leftovers
*it happened on the way to work
*cheers, here's to _______


Option 2:

.. , by MustafaDedeogLu, on deviantart.com

Option 3:
Empirical Magazine is calling for submission for:

Non-fiction (no longer than 4000 words)
Short stories (3500 words)
Poems (1-5 poems per entrant, up to one page in length)
Flash Fiction (500 words, up to 2 entries)


Please follow to the specific guidelines for each type of entry. Rights are no maintained, and there is cash compensation for entries that are chosen. (Please submit via email)

Option 4:
Valentine's Day

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Option 1:
* you never can tell
* revving the engine
* slip away
* terrible greeting cards

Option 2:

The Sentry, by hersheydesai, on deviantart.com

Option 3:
The blog, Things I Want to Tell my Mother is hosting a free poetry contest ending February 29th. One entry per person, and submit via email.

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Option 1:
*unanswered emails
*sink or swim
*setting off the alarm
*paid to keep a secret

Option 2:

autumn in a ghost town, by TheNightSheDied, on deviantart.com

Option 3:
HOOT flash fiction, poetry, and a memoir (monthly contest): With a minimum of 150 words and a $2 entry fee, HOOT is calling for submissions, due by the 20th. They ask to submit online through a submissions managers, and would like previously unpublished pieces only.  Publication and 30% of the entry fee total is up for grabs!

Happy Writing

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Option1:
*live wire
*muting the person yelling on the phone
*making babies say outrageous things
*inside the room

Option 2:

burn our souls, release the wicked II, by TheNightSheDied, on deviantart.com

Option 4:
Gemini Magazine is hosting a short story contest. There is no word limit, or genre restriction; entries may be submitted via post or email, due March 31st, 2012. Each story is $4, and if using email, follow the guidelines, which include posting paypal confirm in the body of email.

Option 5: Finish an unused prompt. (When using this option, please cite the challenge and option you are using.)


Moderator's note:

Regarding Option 1: Not all of the choices in the option need to be used. You may choose any number you wish to incorporate and mold the story.


Happy Writing!

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Option 1:
*wanting it to last all day
*picky eaters
*keeping the decorations up all year
*all natural

Option 2:

WindoW by fal-name, on deviantart.com

Option 3:
Here is a global short story competition through Certys Limited. Submit entries (theme is up to you) 2,000 words and below before 1.30.2012 via email. Writers maintain rights to their submissions, but they will not be returned.

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Option 1:
*packing a suitcase
*dissolving a partnership
*infomercials
*doing an impression

Option 2:

Left hanging, by astridle, on deviantart.com

Option 3:
Friends of Acadia: write up to three nature-based poems (30 lines or less) for free! Please send submissions in via postage or email, due January 30th, 2012.

Option 4:
Write a piece about a New Year's resolution gone wrong.

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Option 1:
*being taught nothing
*talking out of turn
*baked goods
*perks

Option 2:

Life of an Artist, by FallenDiscrete, on deviantart.com

Option 3:
Tapestry of Bronze: Ode to the Olympians. This poetry contest is calling for submissions focusing on Aries, the God of War. Poems are due April 30th, 2012, and writers maintain rights to their work. Please submit via email, and follow guidelines (no attachments).

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Option 1:
*on the subway
*persuasion
*the boss who picks the favorite
*one day away

Option 2:

Lady in the bath… by suctioncup, on deviantart.com

Option 3:
The FIRST Escape Into Life Fiction Contest!!!

Submissions are due January 7^th, 2012, and the entry fee is $5; stories MUST be previously unpublished.

There is no minimum word count, but a maximum of 10,000. First prize is $250

Option 4:
January 1st, is fast approaching. Write a story to ring in the New Year.

Option 5:
Finish an old prompt (Please cite the challenge)


(I apologize profusely for posting this late! Please submit for this Challenge until next Friday, January 6th, 2012)

Happy Early New Year Musemuggers!

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Option 1:
*last chance to make an impression
*out in the street
*wrong meds
*book deal

Option 2:

The Sound of Silence, by NayeliNeria, on deviantart.com

Option 3:
971 Menu short story competition. $3 entry fee; submissions are due by April 30th, 2012.

Option 4:
Happy Holidays! No matter which holiday you take part in, write a story about an experience you or someone you know/knew had!

Option 5:
Finish an old prompt.

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Option 1:
*hotdog eating contests
*center pieces
*pray for what you want
*no coincidence

Option 2:

Paris232, by avaladez, on deviantart.com

Option 3:
Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest: Free to enter; cash prizes; You retain the rights to your work!

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Option 1:
*whisp
*graphic novels vs. comic books
*done in a roundabout way
*execution

Option 2:

Where is the dog?, by xactive, on deviantart.com

Option 3:
Unstuck: Only On Twitter. There is no entry fee, and the deadline to submit is December 31st, 2011. Theme:Lovemarks.

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Option 1:
*rewritten letters
*just take something
*mayhem
*traveling towards somewhere new

Option 2:

Fermata Duomo, by Moaningtofuspie, on deviantart.com

Option 3:
Pixelhose Fiction and Non-fiction contest; deadline 12.7.2011; no entry fee; cash prizes. Please see the website for more guidelines.

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Option 1:
*the purloined letter
*hunting colors
*rumours and spilled wine
*thumping on the countertop

Option 2:

Anatomy of a human being, by BlackPureLove, on deviantart.com

Option 3:
Amazon Breakthrough Novel: Here is something novel-related to think about post-NaNoWriMo.

There are two prizes given out: One for General Fiction, and another for Yound Adult Fiction. The winners receive a contract with Penguin, and a $15,000 advance. Beware of the pending 2012 due date. I'll keep the contest section updated when new information is announced.

Option 4:
NaNoWriMo/ or MiniWriMo excerpt.

Option 5:
Thanksgiving is this week (in the U.S.); if you're participating this year, or not, write a story based around the holiday.

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Option 1:
*come out clean
*bent nails
*turning the door handle
*to do it like you

Option 2:

Clea portrait, by Rayon2lune, from deviantart.com

Option 3:
NaNoWriMo/ MiniWriMo: How's the writing doing? Submit an piece from your novel!

Option 4:
pending

EDIT: 6:51pm:
Literary Laundry is currently accepting poems, short stories, and one-act dramas for their 4th issue! Submission is free, and you may get paid for your work! Pieces are due before December 1st, 2011. (There is also a visual art component for those interested). Be sure to check out the submission guidelines as well.

Happy Writing! I hope everyone is well!

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Option 1:
*non-stop
*narcissist
*a shot to end addiction
*three doors

Option 2:

Evening Kiev, by PhotoDoom, on deviantart.com

Option 3:
Feminist Flash: deadline 11.30.2011.

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Option 1:
*worms and hooks
*celebrity impersonators
*bridezilla
*sheets of ice

Option 2:

swan, by thebestfeeling, on deviantart.com

Option 3:
SORMAG: submit stories, and get paid for it.



***National Novel Writing Month and MiniWriMo begin November 1st! Mark your calendars, get registers, stretches your fingers!!!***

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Option 1:
*pick-up times
*cordless
*movie date
*stranger walking a dog

Option 2:

Empresses new clothes, by molligami, on deviantart.com

Option 3:
Result Jelly: Five cents a word for science fiction, comic, fantasy, adventure fiction, and poems.

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Option 1:
*Spanglish
*Oysters and wine
*simpletons
*missing ingredients

Option 2:

The Ivy Window, by HauntedAngel26, on deviantart.com

Option 3:
Ode to the Olympians: Artemis, due November 30th, 2011.

Option 4:
Submit and unfinished prompt



**NaNoWriMo and MiniWriMo are coming on November 1st! Mark your calendars!

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Option 1:
*no guarantee
*strumming on the guitar
*tizzy
*no matches available

Option 2:

You turn my world.., by nondani, on deviantart.com

Option 3:
Hoot, fiction and prose: submit two stories for $2 before October 20th, 2011)

Option 4:
Submit an unfinished prompt.


Maintainer's note: see comment

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Option 1:
*ashes blowing in the wind
*stealing cars
*bad movie references
*sunflower garden

Option 2:



Minimalistic Greece 1, from deviantart.com

Option 3:
A slice of flash fiction for you!

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Option 1:
*debts
*the gate left open
*necessary addiction
*in exchange for

Option 2:

Fire, by PureBlackLove, from deviantart.com

Option 3:
Mystery short stories: Over My Dead Body; submissions must be under 4,000 words; Contributors are paid for their work if it is chosen.

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Option 1:
*whatever will be, will be
*experiments
*cave drawings
*porcelain sink


Option2:



The Nurse, by tenebrae76, on deviantart.com


Option 3:

Bo's Cafe Life Fiction Contest: Free entry, up to a 1,000 words; deadline is August 31st via email.


Option 4:

Submit an unfinished prompt

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Option 1:
*gray hairs
*throwing the wedding bouquet
*a taste of sacrifice
*mingling partygoers

Options 2:

Lazy Fox, by thrumyeye, on deviantart.com

Option 3:
fivestopstory.com is currently hosting a short story contest revolving around the theme of betrayal. Stories should fall between 1,500 and 2,500 words. There is no entry fee for this contest, and stories may be submitted via email. The deadline to submit entries is August 31st, 2011.

Option 4:
Submit an unfinished prompt (please cite.)

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Option 1:
*old re-runs
*falling stars
*in the middle of the road
*fire drills

Option 2:

Underwater 02, by TheSerenaSchwinge, on deviantart.com

Option 3:
Spinetinglers Short Stories

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Option 1:
*opened mail
*delicate measures
*the hole in the tree
*heavy books on high shelves


Option 2:

different lives, by judenlucy, on deviantart.com

Option 3:
Gigglegig

Option 4:
Daily Science Fiction wants your submissions.

Option 5:

Finish a prompt.

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Option 1:
*on the radio
*not real
*if there were no television...
*the face in the mirror

Option 2:

Love by Symmetry, by kaspa3k, on deviantart.com

Option 3:
Here There Be Dragons writing contest!

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Option 1:
*lush
*wonder spot
*accidental
*old vinyl records

Option 2:

hallelujah, by procrastinations, on deviantart.com

Option 3:
Motis Operandi (Harrow Press Anthology) wants stories which combine crime with the supernatural (3,000-6,000 words). Submissions should be sent in via email (as attachments). Check out the website for more details about payment for work and publishing rights.

Option 4:
Finish an unused prompt (please cite).

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Option 1:
*old shopkeeper
*swear jar
*sunset in a cup
*not the marrying kind

Option 2:

Kira's stair for "freedom," by yunnayame, on deviantart.com

Option 3:

Glimmer Train Standard Fiction Award: Glimmer Train Stories is calling for submissions.   You may submit up to three stories during July (12,000 word limit.) If your work is chosen, you will published in the magazine and receive cash compensation.

Option 4: Finish a prompt

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Option 1:
*on a technicality
*family embarrassment
*milk and cookies
*newspaper clippings

Option 2:

Day 6, by kgowrav, on deviantart.com

Option 3:  For writers in the U.S. and the District of Columbia:  Real Simple magazine is hosting their fourth annual Life Lessons Essay Writing Contest.    The deadline to submit an entry is September 15th, 2011.  The limit is 1,500 words. 

Option 4:  For writers in the U.K.: Brighton COW Summer Loving Writing Competition.  This free-to-enter contest closes on July 31st, 2011.  The proposed word count is between 500 and 1000 words. 

Option 5: Finish an old prompt. 

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Option 1:
*onward they go
*scratched wallpaper
*fairweather neighbors
*knife and spoon

Option 2:

Boooring, by evenz, on deviantart.com

Option 3:
Scatteredwritings.com is having a free fictional short story competition.  Here is a page for more info as well on submitting your story.

Option 4:
Finish an old prompt.

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Option 1:
*milestones
*electric fans
*snubbed in public
*terms and conditions

Option 2:

home sweet home, by 829shoujo, on deviantart.com

Option 3:
The Toasted Cheese Literary Journal is hosting 'A Midsummer Tale.'  This free-to-enter writing contest revolves around the four elements: earth, wind, water, and fire.  Submissions are due by June 21st, 2011, and there is a 1,000 word minimum (5,000 max) to work with. 

Happy Writing!

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Challenge #396 (June 6th, 2011)

Option 1:

* an excellent engineer
* slipping the knot
* memories of home
* putrid oranges

Option 2:



A new departure by =zardo on deviantART

Option 3:

( A Five Stop Journey )

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