it’s back…the manuscript
challenge
for fantasy writersall levels welcome
About the challenge
Have you crafted a magical world you’re just dying for people to see? Or, maybe you’ve had an idea simmering for a bit and you’re ready to finally bring it to life? Either way, this is for you.
This challenge is an opportunity to share your writing, receive feedback, and compete for cash prizes and the option to have your submission published on our website for thousands of fantasy writers to see.
All you have to do is submit the first 2,000 words of your manuscript, whether it’s a completed novel, work in progress, or a brand new idea!
It’s simple:
The FIRST 2,000 words of your story.
Any sub-genre of Fantasy.
No prompt restrictions.
What do I submit?
Mark your calendar
Register by:
Tuesday, December 1st, 2026 at 11:59 pm EST
Six live writing sprint sessions:
See times below
Submissions Open:
Wednesday, December 2nd, 2026
Submissions Close:
Wednesday, December 9th, 2026 @ 11:59 pm EST
Results and Feedback announced:
Within 3 Months of submission close
What’s Included:
Entry to The Manuscript Challenge and chance to win a cash prize
SIX LIVE writing sprint sessions (the earlier you join, the more calls you get access to)
Access to writer community forum
Feedback on your entry
NOT FEELING INSPIRED? DON’T WORRY, WE GOT YOU.
We’re hosting 6 live writing sprint sessions so that you can get👏 to👏 work👏
Monday, Nov 9th, 2026 @ 7:00pm EST
Tuesday, Nov 17th, 2026 @ 8:00pm EST
Monday, Nov 23rd, 2026 @ 7:00pm EST
Wednesday, Dec 2nd, 2026 @ 1:00pm EST
Sunday, Dec 6th, 2026 @ 12:00pm EST
Wednedsay, Dec 9th, 2026 @ 8:00pm EST
These sessions are free time for you to write in community. You might be amazed how much more productive you are when there are other people in the room (or on Zoom). Show up and hold yourself accountable!
***you will have access to all sessions when you register***
How the challenge works
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REGISTER
Register by Tuesday, December 1st at 11:59 PM EST.
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START WRITING!
Since there are no prompts, you can begin working on your submission as soon as you register.
Register early to take advantage of the writing sprint sessions.
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SUBMISSIONS OPEN
Submissions will open on December 2nd and will close on December 9th at 11:59pm EST.
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WAIT
This is arguably the hardest part. It can take up to 3 months for our judges to undergo 3 different rounds of review. Trust us, it’s worth the wait.
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RECEIVE FEEDBACK
The wait is over! Winners will be announced within 3 months and feedback will be delivered that same day.
Do I need to have a finished manuscript to enter?
Absolutely not!
While we welcome the first 2,000 words of your finished manuscript, it isn’t necessary to have a completed book.
If you’ve been wanting to start a novel, LISTEN UP!
In order to enter, all you have to do is have just 2,000 words ready to go by the end of the submission period (Dec 9th).
So…what are you waiting for? Start writing!
The Prizes
All winning stories will have the option to be published on our website for thousands of fantasy readers to see!
1st Place — $1,8002nd Place — $9003rd Place — $4004th-10th Place — $100
Don’t just take our word for it…
You have a work in progress you’d like feedback on
You want to try out a new idea for a novel
You want feedback to see which start to your novel works best (you can submit multiple entries!)
You have a completed manuscript, an unfinished manuscript, or no manuscript at all (I mean, all you need is 2,000 words…)
You need motivation to get started on a new project
Just like being creative and trying new things!!
This challenge is for you if you…
Now, About That Feedback
Not quite ready? Take it from past writers.
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"I love the opportunity to have a blind read. I may not have "won" but I still feel like I did with the feedback material!"
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“I was nervous to enter this contest, but it really helped get me out of a writers block and I even finished my manuscript shortly after!"
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"I loved that every entry received feedback on their stories and I’ll definitely be entering again!”"
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“I really loved participating in this writing challenge! The feedback was super helpful both times I participated. I’m able to apply the feedback to improve my writing."
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“This challenge provided a great opportunity to push myself and let other people read my writing for the first time!"
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“This was fun, scary, thrilling, and regardless of the outcome; extremely validating to get feedback on something I wrote."
The Review Process
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Round 1
In the first round of review, your story will go to our reading team that is full of teachers, editors, fantasy enthusiasts, and writing professionals. They score the story using a common rubric. Each story is read and reviewed in a set of 20 stories and will be scored by multiple readers.
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Round 2
The top stories from each set are sent to the 2nd round of review, where the stories will go through a similar review process with different members of our reading team. Each story is read and reviewed in a set of 20 stories and is scored by multiple readers.
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Round 3
The top stories from round 2 will move to the final round that is read, scored, and reviewed by members of our review team and final guest judge panel. After this, the final ranking is determined!
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Feedback
Feedback will be provided to all writers and will be written by a member of our reviewer team. You will receive feedback from one reviewer in each round your story advances to.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Short story challenges are PERFECT for new authors. Not only do they inspire you to actually get those words out of your head and onto the paper, but they push you out of your comfort zone — something that is invaluable to new writers.
Our challenges are designed so that writers in all stages can get inspired, trying something new, and make some new friends in the process.
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You must be over 18 to participate.
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No! Our writing challenges are open to everyone.
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Your registration fee goes toward:
Award Force platform to run the challenge
Cash prize pool
Compensating our review team for three rounds of review
Running Woodland Writers
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Yes!
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Yes! You just cannot submit 2,000 of an already published book (for anonymity sake).
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Heck no! This challenge is exactly that: a challenge. That means that no matter what level of writing you at currently at, participating in this challenge will only help you get better! This challenge is for seasoned writers and newcomers alike!
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Online! You can write from the comfort of your own home or your favorite coffee shop. As long as you turn in your submission on time, it doesn’t matter where you do the rest!
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Yes! Woodland Writers is not responsible for translating your story into English. You may, however, use phrases or quotes in other languages throughout the story.
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Within one week of winners being announced.
Our team goes through each piece of feedback for quality assurance purposes. Please be patient with us while we review your feedback before sending it your way.
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You will be able to access your feedback for 1 month after it is sent out.
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YES! Woodland Writers reserves the right to publish the story on the website, but the rights to the story remain yours.
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If you have questions regarding prompts, formatting, guidelines, and how to submit, please wait until you receive a more detailed email at the challenge start time. All questions will be answered at that time.
For all other questions, please email us at challenge@woodlandwriters.com
If you have already registered, please include your “submission number” in the subject line.
Please do not message us through the Award Force platform or Instagram with your questions.
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We will refund the cost of your entry minus the cost of processing fees up to 72 hours before the submission period opens. After this, registration fees will be non-refundable.
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The stories will go through 2 rounds of preliminary judging based on a standardized rubric with various criteria. The top stories from the preliminary rounds of judging will go on to be read and reviewed in a final round of judging, where winners are selected.
Each story is read and reviewed in a set of 20 stories, and each story will be scored by multiple readers. You will receive feedback from at least one reviewer in each round your story advances to. The amount of feedback you receive will depend on how many rounds your story goes through.
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Yes, international participants are welcome! Just make sure to adjust the time zone so you get your assignment in on time.
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Stories will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Creativity & Originality
Storytelling & Engagement
Character Development
Creative use of Required Prompts
World-Building
Conflict
Dialogue
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Your story should be a maximum of 2,000 words. There is no minimum. This does not include the title page/synopsis.
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At the start of the challenge, you’ll receive an email that will include all of the instructions for submission. There will be a link to a form in Award Force where you will be able to submit your story.
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No, all submissions must be original to this challenge! That is how we keep the challenge fair for everyone participating.
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No. At the start of the challenge, you’ll receive an email with specific prompts and elements that you’ll need to include in your story. So, if you start writing before receiving those instructions, you’ll likely need to start all over anyway!
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Yes, you may submit a retelling. Fanfics, however, will not be accepted and will be disqualified.
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No! A.I. is not allowed anywhere in the writing or reviewing process.
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Via PayPal. If you do not have a PayPal account, you can either create one or we will mail you a physical check.