SHORT STORY WRITERS CONTEST for OCTOBER 2018 - "Proper Horror" [PH2018]

This is an ATS Short Story Writers Contest Thread!

It is OPEN to EVERYONE! (Yes, even YOU!)

It is a place where all ATS members can get creative, showcasing their talent for writing short stories.
It is also a great place to find lots of amazing and original stories to read!

The contest is open to complete beginners, novices and experienced writers alike (There are two seperate sections for "Writers" & "Non-Writers").

There are prizes to be won in the form of ATS "Applause" and even the opportunity for entrants to acquire official ATS "writer" status!
But it is more about sharing our creative ideas, encouraging & developing new talent and having Fun!

We usually hold around one contest per month.

This month's theme has been chosen by ATS member/writer SprocketUK.
The Theme is as follows:

"Proper Horror" [PH2018]

"It's October, so let's have a scary one, eh?
Proper horror, anything from Gothic up to cybernetic sharks...with lay zerrs."

Scarier the better I reckon?




TO ENTER:
Post your story in a new thread within the SHORT STORY Forum HERE
Then place a post with a link (to your story thread) here in the contest thread to enter.


Rules Of Entry:
Video submissions are not acceptable this time around (Unless solely to provide "mood" music/sound effects).
Photos and Music ARE allowed within the entry, so long as the main story itself is "written".

The contest will run from NOW to Thurs 25th October 2018.
(Any submissions after that date will be disqualified.)

A period of ONE WEEK after the closing of the contest will be provided for voting.

All T&C's Apply.

All entries MUST include [PH2018] in the title. (e.g. "My Horrible Story" [PH2018] )

All entries must be linked in this thread, and please include your ATS writer status [writer] or [non-writer] in your submission post within this thread as it makes it easier to determine which group to place the entry in.

There is no minimum or maximum character count, and the entry can be submitted over one or more posts, but please bear in mind that it is a SHORT STORY contest!

Also, please END your submission with "THE END" so that everyone is clear that your entry is complete.

1 Single Story Submission is allowed Per Member.


WINNERS:
There will be 3 winners among members who already have ATS "Writer" status, prizes as follows:

1st Place -- 5 Applause, and selection of the next contest theme (limited to one in a row)
2nd Place -- 3 Applause
3rd Place -- 1 Applause

There will also be 3 winners from the non-writer category who will receive the following:

1st Place -- 3 Applause & Writer Status
2nd Place -- 2 Applause & Writer Status
3rd Place -- 1 Applause

Scoring

Points are awarded by ATS members giving FLAGS to their favourite story threads and STARS to their favourite story posts.
(You can award a Flag and/or star(s) to any stories that you like, but please don't give flags or stars for any other reasons.)

Flags awarded will be worth 2 points each.
Stars will be worth 1 point each.
*Stars for subsequent posts (i.e. additions to the story after the initial story post) will be worth 0.5 points.

If the winner of the "Writers" section is the same person who chose the current theme, then the opportunity to choose the next theme will fall to the runner up.

Any questions about the Theme itself should be directed to SprocketUK this time around, and I am happy to answer any general questions about the contests/rules etc myself.

As always... GOOD LUCK and HAVE some spooky FUN!

G

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer

So... to enter,
a candidate would simply submit
a story as a reply to this thread?

Is it that simple,
or is there a procedure to follow?
S&F Nix That, I see your link
further down in your thread. Thanks,

a reply to: Wildmanimal

Create a new thread in the short story forum called "your title PH2018" AND WRITER/NON WRITER as appropriate , then reply to this thread with a link to your thread and Gordi will make sure it stays up on the front page of the short story forum

a reply to: SprocketUK

Thanks, always a hassle involved.
SAVVY?

a reply to: Wildmanimal

It's easier than you think. write your story in word or something, then cut and paste it to your thread. To create the thread, click the book icon up at the top left, then the plus symbol which will be top right, put your title in and paste your story to the body.
Just ask here if you get stuck.

a reply to: Wildmanimal

Hi Wild
Yup, just what Sprocket said! (Thanks Sprocket)

Write your story.
Make a new thread for it in Short Stories (there's a link in the OP).
Then make a post in here with a link back to your story entry.

The best of luck to you.... as the veil thins. . . and the c r e a t u r e s o f th e n i gh t c o m e s l i n k i n g a b o u t !!!! m w a h a h a h a a !!

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer

Lots of great reading in the last contest. This is going to be great !!!

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer The Demon Pit PH2018 [Writer]

That's it, nearly time to go to work

I hardly realized that I missed last month and here we are. Hope to read some scary stories and to write one, too.

originally posted by: DictionaryOfExcuses
I hardly realized that I missed last month and here we are....

Aye, that drinking is a terrible thing....
Cheers!


Gx

So... just so I know, can this short story be novella-length? Not ridiculously long, of course, but longer than one post. Some of my older stories had multiple posts in the thread back in the day. ^^

a reply to: XxKonspiracyxX

from the OP:
"There is no minimum or maximum character count, and the entry can be submitted over one or more posts, but please bear in mind that it is a SHORT STORY contest! "

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer

Gotcha ^^ I was just wondering because short stories get away from me sometimes, but I've gotten good feedback on 'em in the past, so I reckon I'll give it a shot.

Actually, cancel my entry, don't like it on reflection. Too rushed. Gonna start afresh

Mine might take a couple days to finish, but here's the beginning.

Non-writer entry. ---> Scarlet Realm

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer

Hello Gordi,

Hate to be a pain but could you link my story to this forum.

The Apprentice Butcher PH2018 - Writer

Kind regards,

Bally

Right, I had a think and here's The Witches and the Werewolf PH2018 [Writer]

A little bit of Terry Pratchett.
It goes on a bit, so sorry for that, I couldn't get to the end any quicker without missing the point like I did in my first attempt.

originally posted by: bally001

Hello Gordi,
...could you link my story to this forum.

Kind regards,
Bally

LINK to bally's entry - The Apprentice Butcher

cheers!
G

a reply to: SprocketUK

Thanks!
I have always wanted to participate,
but always seemed to miss the "rules/methods" part.

I am no H.P Lovecraft, so maybe I will give it a go
in another literary theater next time.

I will keep your "tips' until then.
Thanks Again!

a reply to: Wildmanimal

Yw, I would just say that jumping in before you feel properly ready is actually the best way. Sometimes it messes up, like my 1st story, I just had to condense it so much it lost any sense of tension, but just don't wait for what you feel is perfection before you jump in, else you'll have missed opportunities.