THE WRITER'S GAMES

Not your ordinary writing competition.

THE WRITER'S GAMES is an annual writing competition with a global reach. For six consecutive weeks, registered participants create short stories that meet the challenges (Events) announced for the week. Each Event lasts 72 hours and no one knows what that week's challenge might be until the clock starts. While the first Event is for practice, the following five Event winners are published in the Writer's Games anthology. Competition is fierce (but friendly!).

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Our team of judges (college interns and special guests) score each entry on a ten-point scale based on the story's expression of the Event's Core Concepts. Judges create private, personalized feedback for every entry regardless of placement so registered participants are encouraged to create stories for all of the Events. Weekly winner announcements help keep participants focused on the overall prizes: winner interviews, free anthologies, and much more! The Writer's Games makes it easy to try new genres and quickly improve your writing in just six weeks. 

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UPDATE: 

The Writer's Games will return for a single portion in 2021. We'll have Mock Events at the end of May, registration in June, and Games Events starting in July. Stay tuned here or sign up for our newsletter for updates. 

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Each portion of The Writer's Games requires an average of 30 people and around 4,500 hours of volunteer labor. Find out what goes into the production of one portion of The Writer's Games here. 

The Writer's Games is a global competition so all genres, skill levels, and backgrounds are welcome. May the words flow to your victory.

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The Games returns in June!

Count down with us to Registration:

Registration for 2021 begins JUNE 1. See the calendar for details.

While you wait, check out these testimonials from past participants. 

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Reunite Wally with his shield! Register for Writer's Games and your entries will earn double their ticket value in May and September.

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Writer's Games 2020

The 2020 Writer's Games have finished and we are honored to have the privilege of reading over 2.5 million words produced in the 72-hour time limit this year.

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2020 Individual Portion 1 WINNERS:
3rd place: Madeleine Pelletier

2nd place: Lisa Fox
1st place: Haley M. Hwang

Pick up your copy of 72 Hours of Insanity, vol. 8:

Print: smile.amazon.com

Digital: ebook

2020 Individual Portion 2 WINNERS:
3rd place: CE Snow

2nd place: Ej Sidle
1st place: R.A. Clarke

Pick up your copy of 72 Hours of Insanity, vol. 9 soon in Print and Digital. 

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