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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, winners of the following five Events 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. 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 2022. Among the changes, we'll have registration and Mock Events in May and Games Events starting June 10. Stay tuned here or opt IN for Writer's Games updates.
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Looking for other great writing contest options? Check out this blog post by Kindlepreneur!
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Each portion of The Writer's Games requires an average of 35 people and around 5,500 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 May!
Check here for this year's changes.
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Count down with us to registration:
Registration for 2022 begins May 1. See the calendar for details.
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*The Writer's Workout rejects all political, religious, and erotic fiction.
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Writer's Games 2021
The 2021 Writer's Games is closed and we are honored to have the privilege of reading over 1.7 million words produced in the 72-hour time limit this year.
Click on each winner's name to read their interview!
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2021 Overall Winners:
3rd place: JB Hansen
2nd place: Teague LaBrosse
1st place: MM Schreier
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Judges' Choice: Frances Turner
Pick up your copy of 72 Hours of Insanity, vol. 10:
Print: print
Digital: ebook
Overall Winners, 2021
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10th Place, Bridget Haug
9th Place, Ella Moon
8th Place, Toni Risson
7th Place, K.M. Shapiro
6th Place, Sarah Connell
5th Place, Fiona Donaldson
4th Place, Lisa Fox
3rd Place, JB Hansen
2nd Place, Teague LaBrosse
1st Place, MM Schreier​
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The Writer's Workout is a global charity working to improve literacy through creative writing. We hold competitions, workshops, open calls, and discussions; provide motivation, tips, prompts, and giveaways; and offer a community rich in culture and skill. Check our donations page to learn more about how The Writer's Workout strengthens the writing community.
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The Writer's Games (originally dubbed the NaNoGames) was the brainchild of Heather Glomb. The first Games took place in May, 2014, with a goal to "just write". When the contest finished, writers wanted a stronger challenge and this group was born.
WRITER'S GAMES 2025
Not your ordinary writing competition.
The Writer's Games is a free competition designed to help you improve your craft fast. ​Every accepted entry receives honest, unbiased feedback from several judges.
Writer's Games 2025
Mock Events: April 18/19 and 25/26
Public Registration: May 1
(Priority by email April 1)
Practice Event: June 13/14
Check this year's changes
Join us on Discord
Read the Rules
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72 Hours, vol 12, is available NOW!
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Contact Theresa with questions. Registration is required for participation.
Sign up for emailed Event announcements here.
Find submissions and formatting information below.
Read the Writer's Games Origin Story on the blog
2024 Events & Winners
The top five places in each Event will be featured in
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Honorable mention entries will not be published
but author names will be included in the anthology.
Event 1: Chocolate
June 21
First Place: Angela Benham
Second Place: Alexis Ames & Elizabeth Price
Fourth Place: Cheryl King & Josephine Queen
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Honorable mentions: Alyssa Beatty & Ej Sidle
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Event 2: Go Team!
June 28
First Place: Jaime Gill
Second Place: Lindsey Odorizzi
Third Place: Laura Cody
Fourth Place: Ajay Sabhaney
Fifth Place: Kris Schnebelen & Molly Wadkins
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Honorable mentions: David Bachman & Amber Felt
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Overall Winners, 2024
First Place: Ej Sidle
Second Place: Jaime Gill
Third Place: Lisa Fox
Fourth Place: Laura Cody & Kim Holland
Sixth Place: Grace Quon
Seventh Place: Allison Rott
Eighth Place: R.A. Clarke
Ninth Place: Alyssa Beatty
Tenth Place: MM Schreier
Eleventh Place: Bea Sage
Twelfth Place: Sean Fallon
Thirteenth Place: Emily Brown
Fourteenth Place: K. Z. Richards
Fifteenth Place: Marie Price
Sixteenth Place: Katie Ess
Seventeenth Place: Haley Hwang
Eighteenth Place: Tom Sadira
Nineteenth Place: KM Shapiro
Twentieth Place: Lauren Sibley
Judges' Choice: Ashleigh Adams
"Don't Worry Baby"
These writers, as well as all Event winners and honorable mentions, have earned early registration in 2025.
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Click here for this year's survey.
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We reject religious, political, and erotic themes. Fanfiction and AI-copied content are not accepted.
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All participants must be registered.
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Please thank and follow our sponsors on X!
Premier Literary Services: @kuzitiz
Reedsy: @ReedsyHQ
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Opt IN for emailed Event announcements.
Opting in adds you to the Writer's Games mailing list only;
it does not secure registration.
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Event 3: It's a Disaster
July 5
First Place: Allison Rott
Second Place: Morgana Clark
Third Place: Keith R. Burdon
Fourth Place: Lisa Fox
Fifth Place: Jaime Gill
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Honorable mentions: EJ Howler & Ej Sidle
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Event 4: Aftermath
July 12
First Place: Ej Sidle
Second Place: Josephine Queen
Third Place: Grace Quon
Fourth Place: Alyssa Beatty
Fifth Place: Sean Fallon
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Honorable mentions: Alexis Ames, Laura Cody, & Lisa Fox
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Event 5: Literary Bingo
July 19
First Place: Roxanne Kalinda
Second Place: Elizabeth Price
Third Place: Brandon Cox
Fourth Place: John Selden
Fifth Place: Kim Holland
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Honorable mentions: David Klotzkin & Bea Sage
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