Triple Threads 2025 Contest

Any fiction, any style, any writer. Submit a short story incorporating the three specific storytelling elements below, and become eligible for cash prizes & shoutouts from @writesofnovember.

Review ALL guidelines below before applying.

All entries are read & reviewed by a panel of selected writers. Meet the judges here.

Submission Guidelines:

  • 5,000 words or less, double-spaced, 1-inch margins, 12-point standard font

  • Original, unpublished, unrepresented fiction (no poetry)

  • DocX or PDF file format only

  • Multiple submissions accepted

    MUST INCORPORATE ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:

  • The phrase “Time itself could not heal.”

  • An overheard conversation

  • The first and last line are the same.

Awards

I’m thrilled to announce that our FANTASTIC prizes are sponsored by Pacemaker Planner! This goal tracking program is a game-changer for writers tackling big projects in 2025 (aka that AMAZING novel idea you have)--I'm personally using it to draft a new book this year. :) You can choose your word count goals, customize your writing schedule, and even share your progress with other writers! I couldn’t be happier to partner with them for this contest!

First Prize:

  • $1,000

  • Exclusive 1 year subscription to Pacemaker Planner Pro

  • Featured interview + entry posted to writesofnovember.com

  • Spotlight on @writesofnovember Instagram

Second Prize:

  • $500

  • Exclusive 1 year subscription to Pacemaker Planner Pro

  • Full-interview + entry posted to writesofnovember.com

  • Shoutout on @writesofnovember Instagram

Third Prize:

  • $250

  • Exclusive 1 year subscription to Pacemaker Planner Pro

  • Full-interview + entry posted to writesofnovember.com

  • Shoutout on @writesofnovember Instagram

Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Prize:

  • $100 each

  • Exclusive 1 year subscription to Pacemaker Planner Pro

  • Entry & shoutout posted to writesofnovember.com

  • Shoutout on @writesofnovember Instagram

Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth Prize:

  • $50 each

  • Exclusive 1 year subscription to Pacemaker Planner Pro

  • Shoutout posted to writesofnovember.com

  • Shoutout on @writesofnovember Instagram

Frequently Asked Questions


What is the deadline for submitting?

The contest opens January 9, 2025. Early Bird submission window ends on January 23, 2025 at 11:59pm CST. The Regular submission window ends on February 6, 2025 at 11:59pm CST.

What are the fees for applying?

Early Bird Submission fee (apply before January 23, 2025 at 11:59pm) is $25 per submission. After that, the Regular Submission fee is $30 per submission. These costs allow me to offer cash prizes & provide future contest opportunities.

What kinds of work can I submit?

Any genre or style of fiction is accepted (excluding non-fiction & poetry) as long as it is less than 5,000 words, double-spaced with 1-inch margins and a standard 12-point font (Times New Roman, Arial). It also must incorporate all three storytelling elements.

I don’t live in the United States. Can I still apply?

Absolutely! The contest is open to writers across the globe.

I plan on publishing my work soon. Does this disqualify me from entering?

If your work is unpublished and unrepresented at the time of submission, you may enter it to the contest.

If I win, what if I don’t want my work shared?

Sharing your short story on the WoN website does make it “published.” If you want to submit your story to other journals or contests, they would need to be open to accepting previously published work. Sharing your story on the WoN website is a great opportunity to build readership and momentum for your writing career, but if you prefer to keep your work private, you'll have that option on the submission page. Simply leave the box unchecked if you'd like to stay anonymous and/or not share your work—your submission will still be evaluated the same either way.

What if I can’t afford the submission fee?

I want to keep these opportunities accessible for everyone. If you are a member of a historically marginalized group or are facing financial hardship, you are welcome to apply for a submission fee waiver. Recipients will be notified by February 5th. You can find the application here.

Who will be judging the contest?

The contest will be judged by four respected and beloved writers from the writing community. You can read more about the judges here.

When will results be announced?

Winners and other participants will be notified via email in late February to early March.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Entrants MUST be 18 years or older (or have permission from a legal guardian) to enter

  • Entries MUST be written in English, but may be translated

  • Any AI-generated or AI-assisted work will NOT be considered

  • While entrants may be previously published, the submitted entry MUST be an unpublished & unrepresented work

  • Submission fees (or fee waivers) must be completed, and all formatting guidelines followed. Failure to comply will result in ineligibility, and the entry fee will not be refunded.