13 Days of Dark Lore Contest
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( March) April’s Fiction and Poetry Challenge
To be human is to live in a state of perpetual ignorance. The machinations of this world have been puzzling from our very beginnings, leading every one of us to ask a simple question: Why?
The mind cannot tolerate a mystery, and in the absence of ready answers, we do the only thing we can do. We invent. Folklore exists in every culture, and it is this drive to explain through the use of stories that grounds us, gives us a sense of purpose in a senseless world.
When we think of Folklore, our minds rush to vampires and werewolves, leprechauns and fairies, dragons and elves, including Santa himself. However, lore accounts not only for the creatures and beings created to answer “why”, but to traditions and customs like weddings, funeral processions, and holidays. It includes proverbs and riddles, lullabies and folk songs, sculptures, embroidery, dream-catchers, & architecture.
We encourage you to explore new avenues for this challenge. We love strange stories, and peculiar poetry, but would also be interested to see how limericks or songs might inspire or play a part in your pieces. How children’s games and rhymes might motivate a horror story…
The possibilities are endless and that’s why we’re giving you most of a month to perfect a single piece or write as many as you can. And don’t forget, your entries should have a dark/weird flavor along with matching the theme in some way. We can’t wait to read what you come up with!
~ Brandon & Daphelba
The Specifics of the Challenge
Dark & Strange fiction, poetry, songs, & experimental works will be considered. Non-fiction will not.
There is no limit to the number of entries you can submit, but please self-edit to the best of your ability. Your work should be publication-ready*.
Submissions accepted: March 1st — March 29th (10pm CST).
Publication dates: April 1st — April 13th
Word Count Max: 2,500
Submission does not guarantee publication.
13 Days of Dark Lore Submission Form
The Contest
All published submissions will have the opportunity to place in our Dark Lore contest. There is no entry fee for the contest and cash prizes will be limited. Each writer may only win once. Each winner will have their choice of three prizes and will be featured in a series pushed after the publication period.
1st place:
$15 Amazon Giftcard -or-
An author interview and spotlight on Midnight Mosaic Fiction -or-
2 hours of live/online Creative Consultation with the owner of the pub
2nd place:
$10 Amazon Giftcard -or-
An author interview and spotlight on Midnight Mosaic Fiction -or-
1 hour of live/online Creative Consultation with the owner of the pub
3rd place:
$5 Amazon Giftcard -or-
An author interview and spotlight on Midnight Mosaic Fiction -or-
Free editing services from one of our editorial staff (up to 5,000 words).
Winners will be announced by April 15th.
The Top 10 pieces of the competition will be featured in a Medium Series pushed on April 15th and publicized by the team on Twitter.
Are you in? Here’s what to do:
- Click that “Follow” button on Midnight Mosaic Fiction and keep an eye out for optional Prompts we’ll have coming your way all month long.
- Respond to this piece with some claps and a comment —
“Challenge Accepted” — so we know to expect you. - Be sure to check in regularly beginning April 1st to support your fellow writers as their wonderful & weird pieces are posted. Did you know you can clap up to 50 times per piece on Medium?
- Ask any questions you have in the comments below or send us a message at MidnightMosaicFiction@gmail.com
- When you’re ready, send your best works to us by using the form below:
13 Days of Dark Lore Submission Form
A few words on Rights:
By submitting works to our publication you agree that it is original, of your own composition, and that you have all the relevant rights to do so.
If your work is accepted, you agree to give Midnight Mosaic Fiction first serial electronic rights to your work and nonexclusive electronic and print rights. You are agreeing to let us archive your work on our website and to include it in future publications and anthologies.
Your work is yours, but we will continue to have the right to share it.
If your piece has been previously published elsewhere you agree that you have informed us and give Midnight Mosaic Fiction the right to republish, print, and archive the work (and that you have the right to do so).
All other rights revert to the author upon publication.
If you publish the work elsewhere in the future, we ask that credit be given Midnight Mosaic Fiction for first publication.
Question about Rights? Email MidnightMosaicFiction@gmail.com
