The theme for the August writing contest is FEELING SEEN!
We all want to be seen, understood, and accepted for who we are. Coming off the backs of LGBTQ (June) and Disability (July) Pride Months and starting Transgender History and Muslim Appreciation and Awareness Months (both in August), this seems like a good time to invite submissions that focus on the theme of FEELING SEEN.
Short stories, flash fiction, poetry, microfiction, short memoir, and first chapters of longer works are all welcome. The word limit is 2,000 words. Please let me know if your submission comes with any content warnings. I also ask everyone to refrain from egregious violent or sexual content as I don't put age restrictions on content.
How to Submit:
There are four ways to submit your work. Please pick the one that is most convenient for you.
- Via Email:
- email your submission to contact.undergroundbookshelf@gmail.com
- include the contest you are submitting to, the name you would like to be credited under, a brief bio, and your pronouns
Image Description: A person is pictured from behind, standing on a stone precipice. Their arms are outstretched. Ahead of them is only sky, teal blue with fluffy white clouds.
Credit: Loifotos / Pexels
- Via Neobook:
- publish your completed poem on Neobook
- include the hashtag #flashfictionfun so that other participants can find and read your work
- direct message the contest moderator (@LauraWrites), (include the contest you are submitting to, the name you would like to be credited under, and your pronouns)
- Via Booksie:
- publish your completed poem on Booksie
- include the hashtag #flashfictionfun so that other participants can find and read your work
- direct message the contest moderator (@LauraWrites), (include the contest you are submitting to, the name you would like to be credited under, and your pronouns)
Via Wattpad:
- publish your completed poem on Wattpad
- include the hashtag #flashfictionfun so that other participants can find and read your work
- drop the link to your submission in the comment section of the Feeling Seen Chapter.
Contest Timeline:
- Submissions open August 1, 2025
- Submissions close August 24, 2025
- Results announced the week of August 25, 2025
Prizes:
Winners/honorable mentions have the option to have their story or poem featured on Underground Bookshelf the following month. If you are a winner or honorably mentioned, please make sure I have your up-to-date bio, the name you wish to be credited under, and your pronouns.
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