NYCM Short Story Challenge 2024

It’s round one, and in this year’s competition, there are 6,145 writers participating in 225 groups, with approximately 27 writers per group. Holy Moses.

You know, I need to start a prestige-brand writing contest! Let’s do the math.

That’s, say, $55/participant; a bit pricy this time. That’s a $335k gross margin on just one of their contests. Plus, assume maybe 10% of the participating writers don’t submit anything. Net out the $5k grand prize, a third goes to w2s/1099s, and likely limited overhead (it’s not a factory making widgets, it’s people reading screens.) I mean, a sixty-percent margin?

You’d think they could afford a better logo. Ouch!

Anyway, due to their T&Cs, I can’t share anything about my work. Bummer-drag. I’ll update this page as the contest winds itself out.

NYC Midnight is very competitive, and I look forward to sitting for their contests. I’m super-pleased if I make it to round two in these competitions, and I’ve high hopes for my submission this year. We’ll see where we go! Results are due in April 2024.

It’s April 9, 2024, and good news! My story, The Miller’s Wife, was number one in its cohort! That’s an ace win for Round 1.

Okay, moving on to Round 2! Hot dog! Thank you, NYCM!