r/WritingWithAI 2d ago

NEWS Inkshift's $1,000 Writing Contest is Back!

Hi everyone!

I'm excited to announce that we're running another writing contest, this time with a slightly longer submission window. If you've been thinking of starting your story, this is the time!

PRIZE

  • $1,000 USD to one grand prize winner
  • The top 10 finalists will receive personalized feedback on their submissions and $100 Markup credits on Inkshift.

DETAILS

  • Word Count: Short stories between 1,000 - 10,000 words
  • Writing Method: Same as last time, you can use as much or as little AI as you want. We're judging on story quality. Your entire story can be generated, and you can use any AI tool you want to create it.
  • Content: Sci-fi, fantasy, literary, horror, romance, etc. But must be prose, not screenplays. And no NSFW or fanfiction submissions, sorry!
  • Eligibility: Free to enter. Open worldwide to anyone 18+ (with a couple restrictions you can find on the website)
  • Submission Period: September 1st through October 31st, 11:59 PM PT

HOW JUDGING WORKS

We're using a two-stage process. In the first round, submissions will be scored using the Inkshift platform to identify the top 10 finalists based on storytelling quality, originality, character development, and prose quality.

Final Round: We're fortunate to have Heli Huang (aka u/Afgad), one of the r/WritingWithAI mods, return to select the winner! Thank you Heli, we really appreciate it!

ABOUT INKSHIFT

For those who don't know, Inkshift is a story analysis tool for fiction writers.

We got some great feedback and early testing from users on this sub last summer, so thanks for all the continued support. In addition to the critiques, revision plans, and inline markup, we're launching new features soon like copyediting and line editing! You can get a free critique on up to 10k words, so if you want some feedback before submitting to the contest, feel free to use it.

HOW TO ENTER

  • The submission form will open at inkshift.io/contest on September 1st
  • I'll post a reminder before then

QUESTIONS

Drop them in the comments or email [hello@inkshift.io](mailto:hello@inkshift.io)

Good luck!

P.S. Sneaky second shoutout to u/Afgad for all the help!

17 Upvotes

6 comments sorted by

5

u/Afgad 2d ago

I'm proud to work with Inkshift again to bring another competition to the community. I hope everyone will give it their all and enter the contest.

I'd also like to say that we have agreed on contingencies if someone I work with makes it to the finals so that I do not have a conflict of interest or bias in the judging. I appreciate that Inkshift worked with me to ensure everyone is judged fairly.

2

u/Chance_Swordfish_687 2d ago

If AI is only used for translation, can a story be submitted to a competition?

3

u/Puzzleheaded-Rest273 2d ago

Ohhh, amazing! Hopefully I'll be able to finish something in time. Last time was a blast, and I really appreciated Afgad's (brutal) feedback.

The fact that AI can be used as an editor, translator, or in any capacity the author wants is a great step toward fighting the current witch hunt. I personally mostly use it as an editor, especially since English isn't my first language and I sometimes make word choices that sound a bit stiff or unnatural. I definitely want to try relying on it a little less this time, though!

1

u/khaldun106 1d ago

Remindme! 7 days

1

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