About the competition
That poem in your Notes app could win $60.
Lucid Mourning Writing Challenge #1 invites a poem, short story, reflection or experimental piece on any topic, in any style, in 300 words or fewer (excluding the title).
Free entry. No purchase, subscription, follow or share required. Open to adults aged 18+ living in the 50 US states or District of Columbia, including eligible students. One original, human-written English entry per person. Organizer and immediate family/household excluded.
First prize: US$60. Second: US$25. Third: US$15. All three winners will be offered a feature on Lucid Mourning with their consent, byline and optional author link. Writers retain copyright.
To enter, email your piece to mourninglucid@gmail.com with subject Writing Challenge #1 by October 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.
Judged on originality (40%), emotional impact (30%) and craft (30%); ties use originality, then craft. Finalists contacted by November 6 and have 7 days to respond. Prizes paid within 14 days of confirmation and payment details, by a mutually agreed method. No claim fee. Fewer than three eligible entries means only existing placements awarded.
This is a first, one-time round. Full rules and eligibility details: https://lucidmourning.substack.com/p/your-next-300-words-could-win-60
Lucid Mourning Writing Challenge #1 invites a poem, short story, reflection or experimental piece on any topic, in any style, in 300 words or fewer (excluding the title).
Free entry. No purchase, subscription, follow or share required. Open to adults aged 18+ living in the 50 US states or District of Columbia, including eligible students. One original, human-written English entry per person. Organizer and immediate family/household excluded.
First prize: US$60. Second: US$25. Third: US$15. All three winners will be offered a feature on Lucid Mourning with their consent, byline and optional author link. Writers retain copyright.
To enter, email your piece to mourninglucid@gmail.com with subject Writing Challenge #1 by October 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.
Judged on originality (40%), emotional impact (30%) and craft (30%); ties use originality, then craft. Finalists contacted by November 6 and have 7 days to respond. Prizes paid within 14 days of confirmation and payment details, by a mutually agreed method. No claim fee. Fewer than three eligible entries means only existing placements awarded.
This is a first, one-time round. Full rules and eligibility details: https://lucidmourning.substack.com/p/your-next-300-words-could-win-60
Prize
Cash Prize
US$60 first, US$25 second, US$15 third; US$100 total. Three winners offered publication with consent.
Deadline
October 30, 2026
1 week from now
Eligibility
Open to everyone
Open worldwide unless noted.
