Institute for Writers presents
PHOTO PROMPT
SHORT STORY CONTEST
A CONTEST FOR WRITERS
Time to be inspired!
Inspiration can come from anywhere. In our latest contest, we want to see where this photo prompt takes YOU!
We want to see your 1,000-word short story based on the above photo. Who is this woman? What does that look on her face mean? Where is she? What brought her here? Where is she going next? Those are just a few of the questions your story might answer.
Your entry should be aimed at an adult audience. Your entry should be unpublished and not under contract.
Deadline: July 31, 2024
What are we looking for?
Will your story be a mystery, romance, sci-fi, thriller, or some other genre? Any genre will be accepted as long as it's a complete short story of 1,000 words or less and follows the criteria below.
Our judge will be grading entries based on these criteria:
- How well the story is inspired by the above photo.
- The story needs a main character.
- A resolvable conflict directly involving the main character.
- An ending that ties up the story well.
- The story should be aimed at an adult audience. (No teen protagonists.)
To get started, our judge suggests:
- Take time to absorb the photo.
- Think about how it came to be. (How did the people or objects get there?)
- Formulate a plot.
- Don't be afraid to think outside the box.
Why Enter an IFW Writing Contest?
$1,300 Cash Prizes
- 1st prize = $650
- 2nd prize = $350
- 3rd prize = $100
- 4th prize = $100
- 5th prize = $100
Online Workshop
All entrants are invited to a FREE instructional online workshop with our esteemed judge who will share insights into successfully writing in this genre.
Free Critique
Winning entries will be workshopped in our live webinar by our judge to help writers understand what worked and what could be improved to make it submission-ready.
IFW Resources
Check out these tips on writing short stories from IFW and ICL instructors and contributors:
Here's what else you need to know...
- Your entry can be no longer than 1,000 words.
- Your entry must be inspired by the above photo.
- Entries must be previously unpublished and not currently under contract with a publisher.
- Target readers are adults.
- Entries must follow manuscript submission guidelines as stated on our Contest Rules page HERE.
- No sexually explicit, pornographic, or gratuitously violent entries will be accepted.
- Entries must be submitted via our online form by midnight Pacific Time on July 31, 2024.
- There is a $19 reading fee per manuscript to enter the contest.
- You will receive a link to the submission form via email after your purchase is completed.
- You may enter more than one manuscript but each entry requires a $19 reading fee.
- Every writer who enters will be invited to the online workshop (it's free!) where the winning entries are critiqued. (Non-entrants pay $7.)
Submissions will be judged on clarity, potential in the market, and your ability to match standard manuscript format (double spacing, one-inch margins, no creative use of fonts).
The winning entries in this Photo Prompt Short Story writing contest will be announced at a live online workshop within 90 days after the contest closes. All contest entrants will be invited free of charge. (Non-entrants may attend for a nominal fee of $7.)
This is a great opportunity to build your writing and submitting skills!
Copyright © 2024 Institute for Writers
photo credit: Craig Adderley via Pexels/Canva