COME OUT WITH IT!

‘Love is Love’ Annual Writing Competition at The Narrative Arc

Everyone’s got a love story — let’s hear yours

Love is love!

And we’re celebrating all kinds — romantic, coming out love stories, after divorce, teenage love stories, polyamorous stories, platonic, love between friends, love between family members. Your story needs to include the word “love” at least once.

You name it, we’re here for it. Remember, a story should pull us in. Please put your best writing before us with this. Nothing simple; we’d love to read nuanced, complicated, well-crafted stories.

Superior stories may be nominated or boosted via the Boost Nomination Pilot program.

Parasol Publications is our group of pubs, which include The Narrative Arc, Imogene’s Notebook, The Wind Phone, The Penny Pub, and Travel Memoirs. Please follow Parasol, and have a look at our pubs. To join this competition, you must join The Narrative Arc and follow this pub.

Here are the contest rules

1. You may submit up to two stories for the competition. You must be a member of The Narrative Arc and follow the pub. See submission guidelines if you need to apply.
2. Story must be five to seven minutes long, no more, no less.
3. You must be the original author of the story. Please don’t recycle previously-published stories, or excerpts from books. We’re looking for new writing.
4. Aim for any story involving you and another person. Coming out stories, unrequited love stories, cheating stories, whatever!
5. We will edit lightly, per usual, but are looking for stunning and fresh stories. Please make sure to read all formatting guidelines in Parasol Publications if you are a new writer on Medium.
6. Stories will be judged by editors of Parasol Publications, and the winners will be featured in an announcement article. Along with first, second, and third prizes, three honorable mentions will be chosen!
7. Criteria for wins: audience reactions to your story, interaction from other readers, excellence in writing, content, pacing. We’re looking for some amazing stories! Feel free to share your story far and wide.
8. Tag your story LoveStory for it to populate into our correct spot we’ll reserve for stories.
9. After we’ve received at least five entries, please choose one of your favorites and put it at the tail end of your entry. Tell readers what you like about it! This encourages our readers to engage and show the love. You will be judged, in part, for supporting other writers.

Cash prizes

First prize $50.00. Winner to be determined by publisher (Deb) along with volunteers from the Parasol team who are not entering the competition.

Five $10 tips will be awarded and chosen randomly. Each entry has a chance at winning a tip.

Money awarded within a week. Have Paypal or set up your Kofi so it accepts Paypal.

Contest dates

Stories accepted between January 10th and February 5th. The final hour to submit your entry is 12:00 noon Pacific time (Los Angeles) on February 5th. Please make sure you meet the deadline if you want to enter. Otherwise, we’ll gladly add your story to the pub but not as a contest piece.

Judging will be completed and winners announced on Valentine’s Day!