I’m super excited to announce that another 100-word contest starts today!
Here’s how these contests work:
Your entry is the prompt sentence + 100 words. The prompt for this contest is:
This might be difficult to hide.
This should be the first sentence of your entry, and what you write next should sound like the opening paragraph of a story. Your job is draw us in, same as you would in a novel or short story.
You can submit your entry using the form below. The contest closes for entries Monday, April 22nd, 2019 at 9pm Central Time. (Happy Earth Day!)
Our final round judge this time is Tessa Emily Hall! I was SO excited when Tessa said yes. Tessa has been hanging around the Go Teen Writers community basically since the beginning, and it’s been amazing to watch her career unfold. Here’s a bit about Tessa:
Tessa Emily Hall is an award-winning author who writes inspirational yet authentic books to remind teens they’re not alone. Her first teen devotional, COFFEE SHOP DEVOS, released with Bethany House September 2018. Tessa’s passion for shedding light on clean entertainment and media for teens led her to a career as an Associate Agent for Cyle Young at Hartline Literary Agency, YA Acquisitions Editor for Illuminate YA (LPC Imprint), and Founder/Editor of PursueMagazine.net. She’s guilty of making way too many lattes and never finishing her to-read list. When her fingers aren’t flying 128 WPM across the keyboard, she can be found speaking to teens, teaching at conferences, decorating art journals, and acting in Christian films. Her favorite way to procrastinate is through connecting with readers on her blog, mailing list, social media (@tessaemilyhall), and website: www.tessaemilyhall.com.
Here’s what happens after you submit your entry:
When all the entries have been submitted, the names are removed so they can be judged anonymously. First round judges pick their 15 favorites and provide feedback for all entries using this form.
The list of the top 15 will be posted here on the site. Those who did not make the final 15 will receive emails with their feedback, so make sure the email address you give us is accurate!
The final round judge will then read the 15 entries and pick their 4 favorites. Those winning entries will all be published on the website.
Other rules and important details:
This is an all-ages contest for writers who are unpublished in fiction. This means if you have traditionally or self-published a novel or a short story collection, this contest is not open to you. If, however, you’re published in a genre like poetry or you’ve been paid for articles you’ve written for magazines, you may still participate. If you have questions about your specific situation, please email me: Stephanie(at)GoTeenWriters.com
You must use the prompt exactly as it is and exactly as directed. In this case, as the first sentence. No adding or subtracting words from it or changing punctuation.
Entries may be less than the prompt + 100 words, but they may not be more. If your entry exceeds prompt + 100 words, it’ll be disqualified.
You are only allowed one entry per contest.
There are no prizes (other than our deep respect and admiration) outside of feedback on your writing from published authors.
We advise that you keep your entry PG-rated.
What a fun prompt!
Agreed.
Can’t wait to see what you all come up with!
Hi Stephanie,
I accidentally entered my paragraph before changing a part I had messed up on. The part is the prompt and I had accidentally written “this might be hard to hide”. Can I re-enter my paragraph with “hard” fixed to the correct word “difficult”?
I sent you an email, but yes! I can just change it out for you.
I just found out. I guess I was just concerned so I wrote a comment. Thank you so much!!
How fun!
Does having a flash fiction piece published in a magazine count as being published?
No, but congratulations! Just if you have a book published on Amazon (or elsewhere).
Okay, thank you!
Before I submit mine, would putting the prompt in quotes disqualify it? Sorry if it’s a stupid question, I’m not changing the phrasing of the prompt at all (“This might be difficult to hide,” is what I would use)
Not a stupid question! Adding quotes to the prompt is fine!
Sorry if I missed it while reading but wen is the dead line?
Never mind I found it…
When you said “You must use the prompt exactly as it is and exactly as directed. In this case, as the first sentence. No adding or subtracting words from it or changing punctuation.” Does that mean that you can not add quotation marks around the prompt sentence?
Quotation marks are fine! Thanks for asking.
– If you end up being one of the final 4, can your name just be published, but not what you’ve written for the contest? (I’m just precautions about my work. I would never think anyone from the GTW community would steal my work, but I know some people browse writing sites just for that.)
– Can I use what I’ve submitted for the contest in my own writing after it is over?
Thank you so much for organizing the contest! It will be a fun experience!
We like to publish the winning entries because it’s a great learning experience. I do try to ask permission before I do it (sometimes I forget!)and you have the freedom to say no.
And of course you can. It’s 100% yours.
Thank you so much for answering my questions!
This looks really awesome! This is my first contest I’ve entered, and I’m really excited to see everyone’s work!
Proud of you for entering! Thanks for trusting us!
Do contractions count as one word?
Yep!
Ok thanks!
When will the winner and runners up be announced?
Hopefully the top 15 will be posted Monday, and then it’ll depend on Tessa’s schedule. All our judges try to be prompt, but sometimes life interferes!
Thanks! And do you mean Monday the 29th? I assume it will be posted on Facebook as well as here in the site. I can’t wait to see what people come up with!
When y’all announce the winner and runner up?