About This Short Story Contest
In this challenge, writers must craft an original short story of up to 1,000 words inspired by one or more of the Seven Deadly Sins—Pride, Greed, Lust, Envy, Gluttony, Wrath, or Sloth. Your chosen sin should serve as a central theme or driving force within the narrative, whether explored subtly, symbolically, or head‑on. We’re looking for bold interpretations, fresh angles, and stories that reveal the complexity of human nature through the lens of your selected sin.
Here at Apricity & Ink we believe in helping writers find their voice and grow with every word. For this reason, every submission, regardless of whether you place in the top three, receives feedback. We look forward to reading your interpretation of one of the Seven Deadly Sins. Good luck!
Prizes –
- 1st Place - $1000 and Publication on the Apricity & Ink Blog
- 2nd Place - $200 and Publication on the Apricity & Ink Blog
- 3rd Place – Publication on the Apricity & Ink Blog
Judging – Judging of the Short Story Challenge will be conducted in-house in accordance with the judging criteria posted in the Rules and Guidelines. All submissions and participant information will be kept confidential and shared only with staff involved in the judging process. If you are looking to become a judge in future challenges please fill out this form so we can reach out and see if you would be a good fit.
Deadline – May 31st 2026, 11:59 PM EST or once we receive 600 submissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I edit my story after submitting?
Yes, as long as the deadline has not passed you can edit your story and resubmit.
How do I know you received my story?
You should receive a confirmation message/email after your submission is successfully completed. You can also log into Submittable to confirm the submission status.
Is there a minimum word count?
No. There is no minimum word count, but your entry should feel complete and fully developed (maximum 1,000 words).
Can we use profanity in our stories?
Yes, in moderation, if it serves the story. Please avoid hate speech or discriminatory language.
Can I use any images, pictures, or illustrations in my story?
No. Please submit text only (no images or illustrations). In the event you place in the competition and have specific artwork you would like included in publication, we would be happy to review then.
Can I use real people, celebrities, and/or existing brands in my story?
It’s best to avoid using real, identifiable people or trademarked brands. If you do include them, you are responsible for ensuring your story does not defame, misrepresent, or infringe on anyone’s rights.
Can we provide previously written stories during the competition?
Entries must be original, unpublished works created solely by the submitting author for this challenge. If you have a story that fits the theme and was previously submitted to another challenge but it has ended and you retain the rights then you may submit it.
Are there any margin or spacing requirements for the stories?
Yes. Use standard 1-inch margins and double spacing, in a readable 12-point font.
What should I name the file?
Use your story title as the file name (for example: StoryTitle.pdf). Do not include your name in the file name.
What else should be included in the document besides the short story?
Include a title page with only the title of your submission and a short 1–2 sentence synopsis. Do not include your name or any identifying information anywhere in the document.
What type of file should we submit the story in?
Please submit your story as a .DOC, .DOCX, or .PDF file.
What fonts and font sizes are allowed? Can I use bold, italics, or underlines?
Use a readable font such as Times New Roman or Arial in 12-point size. Standard formatting like bold and italics is allowed; avoid excessive styling that makes the story hard to read.
What happens if we go over the word count?
Entries that exceed 1,000 words may be disqualified.
How do you determine the word count?
We use your document’s word processor word count (for the story text). Title-page text (title and 1–2 sentence synopsis) is not counted toward the 1,000-word limit.
How closely do we have to follow the short story challenge theme?
Your story must clearly center around the theme enough so that the judge easily recognizes it within the story.
When can I submit my story?
You can submit any time before the deadline: May 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
Can I co-author the story with others?
Yes you can absolutely co-write a story as long as you specify in the submission form where asked.
Can I write under a pen name?
Yes. You may use a pen name for publication/credit, but do not include any identifying information (including your real name) anywhere in the story document to preserve blind judging.
Can I participate if I'm under 18 years of age?
No. The contest is open to writers aged 18 and older.
Can I submit multiple stories?
Yes. You may submit more than one story, but each story requires its own paid submission.
What if I live in a different time zone than New York?
All deadlines are listed in Eastern Time (New York). Please convert the deadline to your local time zone and submit before the Eastern Time deadline.
Can writers participate from outside the United States?
Yes. The challenge is open internationally as long as you are 18 or older and can submit in English by the deadline.
Who owns the rights to the stories created during the competition?
You do. Authors retain full rights to their work; however, by entering you grant Apricity & Ink permission to feature your story on the Apricity & Ink blog, social media, or other promotional materials with full credit to the author.
When will I know the results and receive feedback?
Winners will be notified by email on or around two months after the submission deadline. Feedback will be provided for each submission and sent after judging is complete.
Can I post the story I create for this competition on my personal website or social media? Can I submit it to other competitions?
We request you wait until after results are announced before posting publicly. Our judging process is anonymous and we wouldn’t want to create any sort of conflict of interest if your identity is tied to a story publicly ahead of the challenge results.
Looking for the Full Contest Rules and Guidelines?
Read them on our Submittable!
Ready to Get Started?
Join our writing community today!