Announcing the Inkshift $1,000 Writing Contest
We're excited to announce our first writing competition: a $1,000 prize for the best short story submitted between January 10th and February 8th.
If you want a chance to win a cash prize while getting expert feedback, this is your opportunity. We're looking for compelling storytelling across any genre worldwide, and we're keeping the rules simple so you can focus on what matters: crafting a great story.
Contest Details
Here's everything you need to know:
- Prize: $1,000 USD
- Word Count: 1,000-10,000 words
- Genres: All genres accepted (sci-fi, fantasy, romance, literary fiction, horror, thriller, etc.). No NSFW content or fanfiction at this time. Sorry!
- Writing Method: All approaches welcome. We're judging purely on the quality of the final story. That means you can write the story yourself, generate the entire thing, or everything in between.
- Entry Limit: One entry per person
- Rights: You keep all rights to your work. Your story will never be used for training AI models.
- Deadline: February 8th at 11:59 PM Pacific Time 2026.
How It Works
Entering is straightforward. Visit inkshift.io/contest, fill out the submission form with your name and email, and upload your story file. That's it.
Manuscripts will be judged on storytelling quality, originality, character development, and prose. Once submissions close, the Inkshift platform will be used evaluate submissions and shortlist ten entries. A moderator from r/WritingWithAI with experience in fiction storytelling will judge the final round and provide detailed written feedback to all finalists.
The winner will be announced on or around February 22nd via r/WritingWithAI and email.
Why We're Running This Contest
Inkshift was built to help writers improve their craft through detailed, actionable manuscript feedback. This contest is an extension of that mission. We want to give writers a platform to showcase their work, compete for meaningful recognition, and receive excellent feedback.
We believe that opportunities to share work and receive structured evaluation are valuable for growth. This writing contest is designed to encourage you to finish that story (or start it!) and make it the best you can. We chose the 10,000-word maximum deliberately. It's substantial enough for a complete, compelling story, but achievable within a short contest timeline. Whether you're starting from scratch or polishing an existing piece, you have time to create something great.
Getting Started
Not sure where to begin? Here are some resources to help you craft a winning entry:
- How to Finish Your Novel - Strategies for staying motivated and pushing through to completion, perfect for meeting the deadline.
- How to Write Believable Characters - Create characters that resonate with readers and judges alike.
- Show, Don't Tell - Master one of the most important techniques in fiction writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use AI to write my story?
Yes. You can generate your entire story with AI, write it completely yourself, or use any combination of methods. We're judging solely on the quality of the final story, not how it was created.
Will my story be published anywhere?
Your story remains your property, and we won't publish it without your permission. However, if you win, we may invite you to have your story featured on the Inkshift blog. This is completely optional and not required to claim your prize.
Can I submit a story I've already written?
Yes, as long as it hasn't been previously published or made publicly available online. Private sharing for critique or workshops doesn't count as publication.
What if I don't win?
The ~10 finalists will all receive detailed written feedback on their work from an experienced writer. Even if you don't win, you might get valuable insights to improve your writing.
We'll be sharing updates and answering questions over on r/WritingWithAI, so join the community if you haven't already.
Good luck!
