Introducing Our Thirteenth Playground Challenge:
A Fiction Short Story Competition
July 16 - July 26, 2026
Submissions are under review…
Read the Winning Stories from our Twelfth Playground Challenge
Featured Story:
A sleep-deprived woman goes to pick up her daughter from the train station after a prolonged absence... “A Mother's Vigil” won 2nd Place, out of 606 entries, in our Seventh Playground Challenge... Zelda C. Thorne is a talented writer from Norwich, UK... She has been published by Northern Gravy, Off Topic, and JAKE, and she was also shortlisted for the Olga Sinclair Prize... Her speculative piece, “Star Status” was featured on the USA science fiction podcast, Tall Tale TV, and it is the title of her debut short story collection.... You can find her collection of short stories, Star Status, on Amazon or on Zelda’s website, www.zeldacthorne.com, so make sure to check that out… You can also listen to this episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
$4000 in Prizes
Choose Your Character
Choose Your Setting
You Have 10 Days to Write Your Story
10+ Winners
$34 Entry Fee
Every Entry Receives Feedback
“This was a great contest! I loved the time frame, it allowed for some real thought and work to be put into a new piece while also pushing me because deadlines just work. I loved the prompts, feedback and critiques. I’ll be signing up again!”
-Marissa Isch, Denver, CO, USA
“I was so happy to come in 4th in this fascinating competition. Great prompts and probably the most helpful and encouraging feedback I’ve ever had.”
Katja Sass, Wellington, Somerset, UK
“This was a ton of fun to do. Great setup with the prompt choices and quick time frame. Thanks for doing this and for the feedback as well. That’s a great motivator. Looking forward to the results and the next challenges!”
Dan Scamell, Salem, NY, USA
“I have participated in both of these rounds and have loved this challenge both times, along with the feedback. I am eager for the third round. This has been a great catalyst and spark to my dream of improving my writing. It is a major life goal to create stories that I would like to read!”
Molly Valentin, Forest Lake, MN, USA