ABOUT BOUNDLESS CONTESTS: A contest presents a theme, setting, or other special conditions that entries must meet in order to qualify to compete in the contest. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to write a Boundless Story that meets the contest's conditions in your own unique and creative way, and to submit it by the stated deadline.

In order to keep the contests fresh and fun for both our writers and our loyal readers, we try to present different contests that are as wide and varied as humanly possible. We try to have a fun mix of contest topics going, and we will generally replace a completed contest with something completely different. We are always open to suggestions for the next topic.

Contest winners will win prizes. The prizes offered will vary from contest to contest, so check the contest calls below for details.

In addition to the stated prizes, we will always list contest winners in the prestigious and highly visible "contest winners" section of the Boundless Store.

It is important to understand that entering a Boundless Stories contest is also simultaneously submitting your work for publication with Boundless Stories. Contest winners will be published. A piece that does not win the contest will still be considered for publication.

CURRENT CONTESTS: All currently-running contests are posted right here, ordered by the final deadline. You may submit your entries as soon as the announcement appears.

Water Fun
Go jump in the lake! Or head to the beach, go scuba diving, search for Atlantis, visit a water park, take a cruise, tour an underwater city, or whatever else gets you good and wet.
Stories must be based around water in some significant fashion, and/or take place in a blatantly watery location (beach, middle of the ocean, etc).
Prizes:
$100 cash
Deadline: July 15, 2010
Space Theme
We're talking about the vast expanses of outer space - that big, empty area outside any planet's gravity. Stories should convey the awe and wonder that is space!
Stories set in a space station or on an alien planet are disqualified for this particular contest. You may use elements of these in passing, but the main focus should be on space itself.
Prizes:
Your choice: $150 cash OR two Causeway tickets to see the September shuttle launch at Kennedy Space Center
Deadline: August 15, 2010
Endangered Species
Many species are in great danger of going extinct, and every one has a story to tell. Stories must prominently feature the plight of an endangered animal or plant.
A story for this contest could take many different approaches. The story could focus on one individual of the featured endangered species, or spotlight a group of individuals - perhaps a family, or a pack, or a small herd. (Keep in mind that the player's character must also be involved, interacting with the featured individual or family in some way - or perhaps even magically transformed into a member of the species for this adventure.) Alternatively, a story could look at the species as a whole, perhaps taking the role of an observer from afar, or a historical retrospective. Another approach could tell the story of people who are involved with or affected by an endangered species. The story could cover a political battle in the nation's capital, follow a group of activists trying to save a species, or document people whose lives are directly affected by an endangered species (such as the Sami and reindeer).
Prizes:
$100 cash for you plus $100 for a charity of your choice that works toward saving endangered species.
Deadline: September 15, 2010
Spooky Stories
Get your pumpkins ready for some Halloween fun!
Write about ghosts and goblins, haunted houses, things that go bump in the night, and anything else that sends a chill up your spine.
Prizes:
TBA
Deadline: October 15, 2010
Missing Item Mystery
Something important has been lost or stolen, and we have to find it!
Devise a thrilling mystery centered around the mysterious disappearance of an item, and/or the puzzle of trying to locate the missing item.
Prizes:
TBA
Deadline: November 15, 2010
Christmas Stories
Jingle bells are ringing, carolers are singing, and the festivities of the happiest time of the year are well under way. Grab an egg nog, sit by the fire, and write the best Christmas story yet!
Your story must clearly be a Christmas story to qualify for this contest. It may be secular or religious. It may be set in any country (real or imaginary), or any time period (yes, including the future, if you like). Regardless of the setting or the trappings, though, avoid the "generic winter holiday" blandness and write a story that captures the spirit of Christmas.
Prizes:
$200 cash
Deadline: December 15, 2010
Channuka Stories
Pull out your menorah and spin your dreidel. The Festival of Lights is here!
Your story must clearly be a Channuka story to qualify for this contest. It may be secular or religious. It may be set in any country (real or imaginary), or any time period (yes, including the future, if you like). Regardless of the setting or the trappings, though, avoid the "generic winter holiday" blandness and write a story that captures the spirit of Channuka.
Prizes:
$200 cash
Deadline: December 15, 2010

GENERAL CONTEST RULES: In addition to the stated rules for each individual contest, ALL contests have the following rules:

Contests and Challenges for Writers