Hi All! The time has come for what I hope will be an amazing time for lovers of horror and a staple within the TiF line-up of planned annual events.
I’m going to try and keep this as simple as possible when I explain how this is both an EVENT and a CONTEST. You may be wondering two things when I say this: Why and How? Allow me to try and answer.
First up, Why? I want everyone to put their best story ideas forward and what better way than to make it an event with no strings attached. But, there’s nothing wrong with a little competition, pitting story against story. All in good fun, of course. But at the same time, I want everyone who has a desire to participate to do so without feeling any pressure. By that, I mean, while it is a contest you DO NOT have to enter it. Which leads me to answering the next question.
Second, How? Here’s the genius part of all this (I hope?). Everyone who wishes to participates must schedule their story to release on Friday, June 13th. This is the “Event” part. But, if you want your story to be entered in the contest, then you have to submit it using the contest form by June 7th. Read on for the Submissions button.
Typically, an event like this is done behind-the-scenes. You may hear about it one time in passing (on Substack Notes?), asking people who want to join to DM someone. Then after that the rest is likely done elsewhere, discussed among the core group who say they are interested. But in keeping with the fact that this is also a contest, I can’t really do anything behind-the-scenes.
Similarities between the Event and the Contest
You must have a Substack and be subscribed to Top in Fiction to participate in either.
You must have written your story during the time when the announcement of the theme was first made till the deadline, June 2nd.
You must Schedule your short story to post on June 13th at 10am EST. The applies to both contest and event participants.
Genre: Horror | Use the theme of Eye See You however you choose to define this.
Must be written in English.
Word count: 500 words - 2500 words (If you are entering the contest then this rule will be enforced. If you are not entering the contest then this rule only loosely applies to you, just remember shorter is better as there will be a lot of participants.)
Only ONE submission/entry per writer regardless of whether or not you’re entering the contest or the event.
EVERYONE must use the FORM BUTTON. There will be a question asking “Are you entering the CONTEST: Yes or No” If you are NOT entering the contest it will just ask you for your Substack post URL. This is to confirm you have scheduled your story and it provides me with your story title for the TiF Disruption Live post.
Images - This can help make a story look good, especially for sharing purposes on Substack. Choose your image wisely.
Contest Rules
Submissions Open: May 28th | Submissions Close: June 2nd
Word Count: 500 words - 2500 words (will be checked and enforced)
DO NOT use extreme violence or language. We reserve the right not to select a story for these or any other reason.
AI: We will not accept any story using AI in any capacity. With ONE exception:
Images - What you choose to use as your image post is your business.
What everyone should be doing BY Monday, June 2nd:
Schedule your post for Friday, June 13th at 10am EST
While in Draft of your Story → Continue Button (top right) → Scroll to bottom → Delivery & Scheduling Boxes checked → Click Calendar Icon (far right) → Change Date & Time to 6/13/2025 & 10am EST (or whatever your time should be to align with 10am EST)
Fill in the FORM below. REMINDER: EVERYONE participating MUST fill in the form
A Brief Note on Judges, Winners, and Prizes
We are thrilled to introduce the following judges: John Coon of Macabre Monday & Garen Marie of Only Child Originals
We will select ONE winner and TWO honorable mentions. The winning story and honorable mentions will be announced during the TiF Disruption Live on Friday, June 13th at 11am EST.
The following prizes will be awarded to the one winner:
ONE Samak Press Ebook
I might spend the night seeing if I can come up with something since i have a free day tomorrow, but quick question
Would it be okay to just use “Eye See You” as the title or does it have to have a different title
I just want to give you a head's up that I submitted twice. Totally followed the wrong instructions to grab the link at first. The second submission has the correct link attached. Sorry!!!