Each month the incredible community of horror readers and writers will vote on the monthly theme.
You! That's right, you get to decide on theme!
How fun is that?
This month's theme is:
"AN UNWANTED GIFT"
Next, comes the fun part - each contestant will submit a horror flash fiction story between 500 to 1000 words.
No more. No less.
NO EROTICA
NO HATE SPEECH
NO SCENES OF RAPE / GRAPHIC TORTURE
Only ONE entry per writer / per month.
The same writer can win in MULTIPLE MONTHS so please enter every month!
I retain the right to exclude any submitted story based on personal preference.
Each month FIVE amazing entries will be selected. Those entries will be collected and published in the upcoming
FLASHES OF DARKNESS: AN ANTHOLOGY OF HORROR FLASH FICTION Vol. 2
The GRANDPRIZE WINNER each month, the story I personally thought was the best of the bunch, will receive a prize pack of SIGNED PAPERBACKS from the very talented and very impressive FEATURED AUTHORS of that particular month.
All entries MUST BE SUBMITTED by following the link and filling out the CONTEST ENTRY FORM.
There is NO FEE however I would kindly ask that you SHARE this link to anyone who you feel might benefit from it!
All entries MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE MIDNIGHT (EST) on the last day of the month.
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These amazing horror authors have graciously donated a signed copy of their horror novels to the GRANDPRIZE WINNER of this months contest.
Good luck everyone!
Stephen Barnard
Stephen Barnard has been writing and self-publishing for a number of years. He predominantly writes horror and suspense, with CORNER HOUSE being his first novel in the genre. His latest work is the folk horror / conspiracy theory novel RINGROCK, and the serial stories APOSTLES and GHOST IN THE POST. Learn more at www.stephenbarnardauthor.com
Alex Tucker
Alex Tucker is an HWA writer from the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia. His novella Afraid to Feel recently debuted through Alien Buddha Press, and a second novella will be published by Baynam Books in 2026. Alex’s short fiction has been featured by Creepy Podcast, Black Hare Press, and Dreadstone Books. He currently lives in Japan with his wife and their two cats. AMAZON
Winners of the December Edition 2025
The top 5 entries as selected by the Secret Council will be published in an upcoming anthology being released in 2026. Congratulations to the winners!
P.D. Alleva
Our GRANDPRIZE WINNER writes horror, sci-fi, thrillers, fantasy—sometimes something literary and sharp. Fun, dark, insane stories with depth and momentum. Books that scare, entertain, and cut deep, tearing into the heart of humanity and leaving it exposed.
Joseph Stephen Bonnett is an author of dark, weird, and horrific fiction from Aotearoa New Zealand. He lives in Hawkes Bay with his wife and two children.
Joshua Ginsberg lives in Tampa Bay. He has had numerous published works of poetry, fiction and non-fiction, and has been a business proposal writer and professional resume writer for over ten years.
Winona Morris always wanted to be a writer when she grew up. When it became apparent she wasn't going to grow up, she decided to become a writer anyway.
