Speculative
Fiction Writing Contest
Legendary Horrors
Do you long for the days when vampires were actually monsters, and not supermodels with sun allergies? Do you miss the terror of the unseen beast lurking in the shadows? Do you fear the unknown slurping sound just beyond your line of sight over the gore-filled by-the-numbers slasher tales of modern Hollywood?
The time has come to
resurrect the old horrors.
Now in its fourth year, the Bards
and Sages Annual Writing Contest seeks to give new voices in speculative
fiction the chance to shine. This year
the focus of the contest will be on legendary horrors revisited. Submissions should focus on traditional
monster archetypes from myth, legend, and folklore. We aren’t interested in aliens or human serial killers. Instead, we want writers to consider the
classical monster motifs and tell tales with a unique twist.
This year, the contest
benefits Donorschoose.org. This non-profit organization helps connect
teachers with donors to help fund much-needed projects for schools in
underprivileged areas. Winners will
receive both a cash prize and have a matching donation made to the project of
their choice. Visit Donorschoose.org
for more information on how this program works.
Prizes:
First Prize:
$150 + $150 matching gift to Donorschoose.org
Second Prize:
$75 + $75 matching gift to Donorschoose.org
Third Prize:
$50 + $50 matching gift to Donorschoose.org
Honorable Mentions (number at publisher’s discretion)
$10 + $10 matching gift to Donorschoose.org
All winning entries will also be published in a winner’s
anthology, and the authors will receive a complimentary copy of the finished
book.
Contest Rules:
*By entering this contest,
you certify that you have read and understand all the rules of participation.
*Entries must be previously
unpublished horror stories up to 15,000 words. All entries must be received by October 1, 2007. Winners will be announced December 1, 2007.
*Entries must be related to
legendary creatures from myth, legend and folklore. We will not consider supernatural romances, aliens, human serial
killers and similar slasher concepts.
We also will not consider submissions with strong erotic themes. We want horror stories. Plain and simple.
*Entries must be submitted as
Word.doc files. Please do not attempt to send stories in the body of the e-mail. Send them as Word.doc attachments. We only accept
electronic submissions
*Entries must be
double-spaced using 10-12 point standard fonts.
*An entry fee of $5 must
accompany each submission. Entries fees
can be paid with PayPal. If you do not
have a PayPal account, please notify us and we will provide you with a mailing
address for check or money orders for the entry fee. Entry fees must be paid in U.S. funds.
*If you are a winner, your
prize money will be paid to you via PayPal.
Your matching donation will be paid in the form of a Donor Gift
Certificate to donorschoose.org. You
can then select the project to apply the certificate to. You may elect to apply your own winnings, in
full or in part, to the donor gift certificate as well. If you do not have a PayPal account, we
may, at our discretion, award your prize money to you in the form of an Amazon
Gift Certificate or a Webcertificate.
Due to problems with lost checks and overseas shipments, we will not
under any circumstances make payment in the form of paper checks, money orders,
or other physical forms of currency.
*You acknowledge that you are
responsible for any taxes or fees in the event you are a winner.
*You acknowledge that the
work submitted is your own original work, and has not been previously published
elsewhere.
*Winners will be required to
sign a formal agreement granting Bards and Sages the right to publish their
stories in an anthology.
Send your submissions to our Contest Department.
Visit our homepage for more information on other Bards
and Sages Projects
Winners were published online. Find more of the 2003 winners in our online library. 2005
Anthology Available: