The Furious Gazelle’s Halloween Contest/ Submission Guidelines (Pay: $50)

The Furious Gazelle’s 2024 Halloween Writing Contest is now open for submissions from August 19th to October 6th.

This free-to-enter contest is seeking Halloween-themed poetry, fiction, short plays, and creative non-fiction. Writers have the opportunity to win cash prizes and publication. If you are not an experienced writer, please read this article: 10 Creative Writing Tips For Beginners

Submission Guidelines For The Furious Gazelle’s Halloween

• Writers can submit one short story (up to 3,000 words), one play (capped at 10 pages), or up to three shorter pieces, which can include any combination of flash fiction or poetry. 

• Flash pieces should not exceed 1,500 words each, and poems should not exceed two pages.

• Submissions should be sent as attachments to submit@thefuriousgazelle.com with the subject line “Halloween contest + [your name].”

• Previously published works are accepted as long as the writer retains the publication rights. If submitting previously published work, include the publication history in the email body.

• You might want to read this article on Tips For Making Your Writing Perfect.

What They Don’t Want

• Submissions that exceed the specified word or page limits.

• Content not aligned with the Halloween theme.

• Submissions lacking high-quality writing and originality.

Eligibility Criteria

• The contest is open to all writers, regardless of previous publishing experience.

• There are no restrictions on age or location.

Author Rights At The Furious Gazelle’s Halloween Writing Contest 

Writers must retain the publication rights for any previously published submissions. The Furious Gazelle will not claim ownership of the works but will publish winners and runners-up on their site.

Payment

The contest offers the following rewards:

First-place winner: $50.

Runners-up: Publication and a $5 honorarium.

Critique Option

For writers who want feedback, The Furious Gazelle offers a critique service for $10. This critique includes three lines of constructive criticism, focusing on strengths, weaknesses, and potential techniques to improve the submission.  

If you’d like constructive feedback, click here. Additionally, writers can purchase a full-page critique along with a copy of the Halloween anthology, which features past contest winners and runners-up.

Donation

While the contest is free to enter, participants are encouraged to donate to help cover hosting costs and contribute to the prize pool. Donations can be made through The Furious Gazelle’s Square store or via PayPal to thefuriousgazelle@gmail.com. Donations do not affect the chances of winning.

Deadline

All submissions must be received by October 6, 2024. Late submissions will not be considered.

Contact Information

For any inquiries, send an email to submit@thefuriousgazelle.com with “QUESTION” in the subject line.