Deadline: September 26th, 2025
Prizes: $50 and audio production for the winner, up to four runner ups will also be considered
Theme: Creative new origins behind Halloween traditions
The frightening reason we actually go trick-or-treating. The dark power imbued in the first jack-o-lantern. Why wearing a costume on Halloween could be the difference between life and death.
For our first ever Halloween flash fiction contest, we’re looking for creative new origins behind Halloween traditions. What are the rituals that MUST be obeyed? Why do we do what we do on this holiday, when the veil between worlds is thinnest? What new traditions are yet to be born, but can never be undone? Dig deep and pull the darkness into the light.
Contest Rules
- The story must have horror elements and relate to the theme of Halloween Legend Origins. How you choose to interpret that theme is up to you, but it must be central to the story.
- The image included on this page is for interest purposes only and not intended as a prompt.
- Deadline to submit is September 26, 2025 (11:59pm CST)
- It must be previously unpublished.
- Submissions must be in English, but authors from anywhere in the world are welcome to submit.
- A minimum of ONE winner will be announced on or before October 31, 2025. The top flash piece will be produced for audio narration on Tales to Terrify and receive $50 (USD). Up to four runners up may also be considered for production.
- Authors retain the rights to their submitted stories.
Submission Format
- up to 250 words
- Microsoft Word or Rich Text Format
- Double spaced
- 12 pt. Courier New or Times New Roman font
Please include author, title and word count on first page.
Stories pasted into the body of an email will be rejected without being read.
For further details on submission criteria and what styles/topics of horror fiction we look for, please check out our standard Submissions page.
Via: Tales to Terrify.
