Rules/FAQs

Before you enter, check our competition rules.

If you can’t find the information you need, please
email contact@1000wordchallenge.com
and we’ll answer your question on this page.

Competition rules

● Your story must be your own, original, work. It must not
have been published, or self-published, before. This
includes appearing on any website, blog or forum.

● Your story must not be currently entered in any other
competition or be a previous competition winner.

● Your story must be no more than 1000 words long.
The title is not included in the word count.

● You must write on the competition theme. The theme will be announced
on the website at the beginning of each competition. We’ll consider how
well you’ve responded to the theme when we choose the winner.

● You can enter as many times as you like. Entry
costs £5 per story (or £10 for entry plus feedback).

● Three prizes will be awarded – £100, £50 and £25.
The winning stories will be published on the website.

● The judges’ decision is final. We reserve the right to extend the competition
deadline to ensure prizes are awarded to stories of the highest quality.

● The competition is open to writers from any country
but entries must be written in English.

● The author retains the copyright. 1000 word challenge has the right to publish
the story on the website or in future print publications. 1000 word challenge
also reserves the right to make minor edits to the story.

How do I enter?

Please email your story to contact@1000wordchallenge.com.

Please attach a Word document or PDF of your story to
the email – don’t include your story in the body of the text.

Please include your full name in the email, and tell us if
you’d like the story to be published under a different name.

Please don’t include your name anywhere on your story.
We’ll judge the competition blind.

How should I format my entry?

Please submit a Word document or PDF of your story. Text should be double
spaced and in a 12 point font. Any font is fine as long as it’s clear and legible.

What happens if I win?

If you win, we’ll contact you by email with
the good news and send you your prize money.

We might ask for more information about you to
publish on the website if you’re happy for us to do so.

What are you looking for?

Above all, we’re passionate about good stories, well told.

We’re looking for an original approach to the
theme, believable characters and a strong plot.

We don’t mind which genre you choose – we’re fans of literary
fiction as much as science fiction, comedy and romance. Draw us in –
we’re looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

Do you give feedback?

Yes, we do. For an extra £5, we’ll give you structured,
personalised feedback on your story, sent by email
within six weeks of the competition closing date.

Where can I find out more?

If you can’t find the information you’re looking for,
please email us at contact@1000wordchallenge.com

You can find us on Facebook and Twitter, where
we’ll publish competition updates and writing news.

We hope you’ll check our social media regularly and we can build a
community of writers and readers who love a good story as much as we do.