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TDS CONTESTS
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TDS Contests were created to uplift writers, poets, and artists beyond the magazine page. We want to highlight talent in as many ways as we can, and these contests are a way to do just that. In fact, winning the contest makes the writer/poet eligible for HWA Affiliate Membership. Join us in celebrating diverse creatives! You can participate in two very important ways:

SPONSOR a contest

Sponsoring means that you either donate a small amount towards the writing contest winnings OR provide the full contest award. By sponsoring a contest, you would enable a writer/poet to join the professional Horror Writer's Association (horror.org) - a big deal in the literary world.

Each contest awards a total of $30 to the winning entries:
$25 to the winner
$5 to the runner-up

The payment to the winners will be sent through PayPal.

To sponsor a contest, fill-out the PayPal form below.
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USD

ENTER a contest

Entry into the contest is simple - and FREE!
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GENERAL GUIDELINES AND INFORMATION (for all contests)
  • Entry is free to all. Only one entry per person.
  • Original stories, poetry, and art only, no reprints.
  • Short stories: 500-5,000 words
  • Poetry: 1-2 pages
  • Art: Abstract, photography, realism (B&W or color) 
  • Contest opens on the 8th of every month.
  • Contest closes on the 22nd of every month.
  • Submit your story in doc/docx and artwork in jpg.
  • Please format your story, poetry or art according to TDS submission guidelines.
  • Winner and runner-up stories will be announced on social media on the 15th of the following month.
  • Submit via email with subject: “Contest Entry_TitleofWork” to tdscontests@gmail.com.
    (please note that any submission sent outside the submissions window will be deleted unread)

RIGHTS AND PAYMENTS
  • We will choose a winner and a runner-up.
  • The winner will receive $25 (through PayPal) and publication in the TDS Summer Issue page.
  • The runner-up will receive $5 (through PayPal) and publication on the TDS blog.
  • Authors of winning stories will be given the opportunity to self-record an audio version of their story to be included as exclusive Youtube content.
  • All winners will be published in a special edition anthology, released yearly 

CONTEST THEMES
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SUMMER 2021
     

NOVEMBER 2020

The one that starts it all
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Our second contest will open for submissions in April/May.

The theme looks ahead at SUMMER and examines what traditional gothic literature and modern gothic-horror looks like, feels like, tastes like in summertime. Since contest winners will be selected in May and published in June, this contest is perfect to kick off summer. Therefore, the official theme is called: GOTHIC SUMMER (think: lake houses, forests, ocean/beaches, hot summer evenings, graveyards, hauntings, and scares). We want to see your best gothic tales come to life through your masterful work. And yes, ghosts, ghouls, werewolves, and VAMPIRES are welcomed, as are all other creatures of the night.

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Contest is open to submissions from April 8 to May 22, 2021.
Winners will be announced May 30, 2021.
Publication of winning stories released June 15, 2021.

PRIZES: 1st place wins $25; 2nd place wins $5. Both receive publication.
**1st place winners eligible to join HWA as an Affiliate Member**
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Our first contest is now CLOSED!

                  CONGRATULATIONS to our winners:

      1st Place:     JEREMY ZENTNER
                     "Wicked Inheritance"

      2nd Place:     Kerry E. B. Black
                                       "Secret Santa Helper"


The theme for November was chosen via a poll on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: HOLIDAY LEGENDS & TRADITIONS (think: Yulecat, Krampus, Befana & more). We want to see your holiday legends and traditions come to life through your masterful work.

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Contest is open to submissions from November 8 to November 22, 2020.
Winners will be announced December 15, 2020.

**1st place winners eligible to join HWA as an Affiliate Member**


​This contest is fully sponsored by
An Anonymous Donor