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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TDS Contest Sponsor's Name

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Donation Amount USD

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Sponsor's Email

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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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June 2021
     

May 2021
     

NOVEMBER 2020

The one that started it all

This contest is now CLOSED. Read the winning works on The Dark Forest blog.

                   CONGRATULATIONS to our winners:
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   1st Place:   
            Mario Aliberto III
                   "Rescue Me"       

                       2nd Place:
                                      Jenni Meade  
                                      "Hang Him High"
                       3rd Place:
                                    James Hancock  
                                      "The Chamber"


We're partnering with SECOND CHANCE LIT to bring you our first 100-word FLASH FICTION writing contest: 

                  THE DARK CHANCES CONTEST

Contest runs June 1 - June 8.

Dark Chances uses 100-word gothic/horror flash fiction to examine the theme of "second chances." When rejection happens, when a first attempt fails, what will happen next? Can we still succeed if only we had another chance? Think of what second chances there are or could be in GOTHIC and HORROR fiction. Let your imaginations free as you interpret the theme. As long as your creation is written as a gothic or horror story with "second chances" as an incorporated theme, its eligible! And as always, ghosts, ghouls, werewolves, vampires, and the like are welcomed. *SPECIAL RULES BELOW*

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Contest is open to submissions from June 1 to June 8, 2021.
Winners will be announced June 11, 2021.
Publication of TOP 3 winning stories released June 11 on TDS and Second Chance Lit blogs.

PRIZES:
1st place wins publication plus:
          TDS Merch: TDS paperback issue, skull wax melts, and a bookmark
          Second Chance Merch: Notebook, 15oz mug, and a sticker
2nd place wins publication plus:
          TDS Merch: TDS paperback issue and a bookmark
          Second Chance Merch: 11oz mug and a sticker
3rd place wins publication plus:
          TDS Merch: A Bookmark
          Second Chance Merch: A sticker

To enter:
Write a 100-word gothic/horror story with theme of "second chances." Then email it and a brief bio (both pasted directly into the body - no attachments) to: darkchancescontest@gmail.com.

That's it. GOOD LUCK! 

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​This contest is fully sponsored by
THE DARK SIRE and SECOND CHANCE LIT

Our second contest is now CLOSED. Read the winning works on our Patreon.

                   CONGRATULATIONS to our winners:
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   1st Place:   
            Krista Canterbury Adams
                   "Nyx Unnested"       

                        2nd Place:
                                        E. M. Roy  
                                      "HOMETOWNWOTEMOH"

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 contacted 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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​This contest is fully sponsored by
THE DARK SIRE

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**

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​This contest is fully sponsored by
An Anonymous Donor