Seven Deadly Sins Short Story Challenge

$1200 IN PRIZES + EVERY SUBMISSION RECEIVES FEEDBACK

Open Theme: Seven Deadly Sins

Deadline May 31, 2026, or Once 600 Submissions Received

Write a short story no more than 1,000 words inspired by one of the Seven Deadly Sins: Pride, Greed, Lust, Envy, Gluttony, Wrath, or Sloth.

In this challenge, writers must craft an original short story of up to 1,000 words inspired by one of the Seven Deadly Sins—Pride, Greed, Lust, Envy, Gluttony, Wrath, or Sloth. Your chosen sin should serve as a central theme or driving force within the narrative, whether explored subtly, symbolically, or head‑on. Your story may include more than one of the Seven Deadly Sins; however, it should be driven by one prevailing sin. After all, a little extra sin never hurt the storyline. We’re looking for bold interpretations, fresh angles, and stories that reveal the complexity of human nature through the lens of your selected sin. We look forward to reading your interpretation of the Seven Deadly Sins. Good luck!

To ensure fairness, creativity, and a high-quality experience for all participants, please review and follow all rules carefully before submitting your entry. Please note, to ensure we are giving the proper time and attention to each story, there is a cap on 600 submissions. 

Therefor the deadline is May 31, 2026 or once 600 submissions are received.

1. Eligibility

• The contest is open to writers aged 18 and older.
• Entries must be original, unpublished works created solely by the submitting author.
• Entries must be in English.

2. Theme Requirement

• Each submission must center around one of the Seven Deadly Sins: Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy, or Pride. Your story may include more than one of the Seven Deadly Sins; however, it should be driven by one prevailing sin.
• The chosen sin should play a central role in the story’s plot, character development, or conflict—not just be mentioned in passing.

3. Word Count

• Submissions must be no more than 1,000 words.
• There is no minimum word count, but entries should feel complete and fully developed within the limit.

4. Originality & AI Policy

• All entries must be entirely original work written by the submitting author.
• The use of AI (including but not limited to ChatGPT or other generative tools) for writing your story is strictly prohibited.
• Plagiarism or use of previously published material will result in disqualification.

5. Formatting Requirements

• Submissions must be typed in a readable font (e.g., Times New Roman or Arial), 12-point size, double-spaced.
• Standard 1-inch margins are required.
• File formats accepted: .DOC, .DOCX, or .PDF.

6. Title Page & Anonymity

• The first page must include only:
• The title of the story
• A brief 1–2 sentence synopsis
• Do not include your name or any identifying information anywhere on the document.
• Any identifying details within the document will result in disqualification to ensure blind judging.

7. Submission Guidelines

• Each participant may submit one short story entry per paid submission.
• If you would like to submit multiple stories, you must pay the submission fee for each story. 
• All entries must be submitted before the official deadline of May 31, 2026, 11:59 PM EST. Late submissions will not be accepted.
• Once submitted, entries cannot be edited or replaced.

8. Content Guidelines

• All genres are welcome.
• Content must not include: 

1. Hate speech or discriminatory language

2. Plagiarized or copyrighted material

• Sensitive topics are allowed but must be handled thoughtfully and responsibly.

9. Judging Criteria

Entries will be evaluated based on:

• Creativity and originality (20%)
• Effective use of the chosen sin as a central theme (20%)
• Character development and emotional impact (20%)
• Writing quality, clarity, and structure (20%)
• Overall storytelling effectiveness (20%)

10. Feedback

• Judges will provide feedback for each submission.

11. Prizes

• Prizes will be awarded as outlined in the official contest announcement.
• Winners will be notified via email on or around two months after the submission deadline.

12. Rights & Publication

• Authors retain full rights to their work.
• By entering, you grant permission for your story to be included on the Apricity & Ink blog, social media, or promotional materials, with full credit given to the author.

13. Disqualification

Entries may be disqualified if they:

• Exceed the word count
• Include identifying information
• Violate the AI or originality rules
• Do not adhere to the theme or guidelines

14. Agreement to Terms

• By submitting an entry, participants agree to abide by all contest rules and decisions made by the judges, which are final.