Not your average writing competition
Seven years ago, a few of the YeahWrite editors put their heads together to design a writing competition that would be as much fun to run as it would be to enter. It took a little tweaking here and there, but we think we’ve really hit our stride. We wanted to include contests for nonfiction writers and essayists as well as flash fictioneers; we wanted to provide useful feedback that would allow writers to turn their contest entries into publishable works; and we wanted to reward the winners with more than a token prize. Thus, the YeahWrite Super Challenge was born. We’re not the biggest competition out there, and we’re not the cheapest, but if you’re looking for a little inspiration to get started on a new story or essay, maybe get a piece accepted into that dream publication, we do our absolute best to help you get there.
Whether you’re an experienced flash fiction writer or you’re just dipping your toes in for the first time, this is the competition for you.
I haven’t been writing for years because my day job is so exhausting. This is just the encouragement I needed to really commit to making time to do what I love. The feedback I received was so insightful and actionable—really so valuable.
The 5 W’s: what, why, where, when, who? (Plus a bonus “how”)
Let us break the competition down for you!
What is it?
The Super Challenge is a prompted, 48-hour flash competition alternating between fiction and creative nonfiction (and the occasional microfiction contest). Prompts are released on a Friday night at 10pm US Eastern time, and at that point writers have 48 hours to craft their best response in 1,000 words or fewer. The judges read all entries blind (anonymously) and provide detailed feedback on each piece. The top 10 or so writers move on to a second round with new prompts.
Super Challenge #24 is for flash fiction, and we’d love to see you there!
Why should I enter?
There are literally hundreds of writing competitions on the internet (and beyond). Some are even free. So why should you choose ours? Here are a few of the biggest reasons.
- Unique, anthology-style prompts that are fun to write to and broad enough for your work to remain relevant after the competition is over.
- Personalized feedback on every entry from professional editors and writers.
- Cash prizes: $200 for 1st place, $150 for 2nd, and $100 for 3rd!
- A wonderful and supportive community of writers on Facebook and Discord, plus access to a special Discord channel on our server that’s guaranteed judge-free so you can compare prompts, ask questions, and find beta readers for your stories!
Bonus: you retain ownership of your work, meaning you can turn around, polish it up (based on that professional feedback!), and send it out for possible publication in your favorite markets—like many of our participants have gone on to do. Past Super Challenge entrants have published stories and essays in Luna Station Quarterly, Shoreline of Infinity, Sunlight Press, Tall Tale TV, Fiction on the Web, Pure in Heart Stories, Eucalyptus & Rose Literary Magazine, Gingerbread House Literary Magazine, and more!
Where does it happen?
The schedule (and all the details, like the rules) are online on the Super Challenge #24 webpage. But that’s not all – we also have a robust online community on Discord, where participants can ask the admin team questions, find beta readers, and panic in solidarity with other writers. Best of all, no judges are allowed, so you can feel free to speak your mind without worrying about compromising your entry’s anonymity.
When does it take place?
The first round of Super Challenge #24 runs from May 6-8, 2022. Shortlisted writers will move on to the final round, which runs June 3-5, 2022. Winners will be announced on June 24.
Who are we?
The YeahWrite team is made up of professional editors, language instructors, and writers! The judges who read your stories have oodles of experience writing and reading for publications (yes, you’ve heard of some of them) and contests. We believe in paying our judges what their time and thoughtful consideration of your work are worth, which is why we charge a registration fee. This helps us ensure that you’ll always have professional, valuable feedback that helps you take your work to the next level even if you don’t win.
How do I enter?
Registration is open until 10pm US Eastern on May 4, 2022.
About the author:
Rowan submitted exactly one piece of microfiction to YeahWrite before being consumed by the editorial darkside. She spent some time working hard as our Submissions Editor before becoming YeahWrite’s Managing Editor in 2016. She was a BlogHer Voice of the Year in 2017 for her work on intersectional feminism, but she suggests you find and follow WOC instead. In real life she’s been at various times an attorney, aerialist, professional knitter, artist, graphic designer (yes, they’re different things), editor, secretary, tailor, and martial artist. It bothers her vaguely that the preceding list isn’t alphabetized, but the Oxford comma makes up for it. She lives in Portlandia with a menagerie which includes at least one other human. She tells lies at textwall and uncomfortable truths at CrossKnit.
