We're teaming up with Quill & Crow Publishing House to bring you this spooky poetry and short fiction competition inspired by Q&C's latest addition: Adrift on a Sea of Shadows by Spyder Collins.
In honor of the book's morbidly romantic overtones and the month of Valentine's, our competition theme is a Dark Romance poem or short fiction piece using the prompt "Darkest Depths."
A panel of four judges (2 representatives from Coffee, Book, & Candle and 2 from Quill & Crow) will critique each submission and choose the winners based on the following.
CONTEST RULES
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One entry per person. Submit 1 poem not exceeding 20 lines OR 1 short fiction piece 1,500 words or less.
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Must be in the US to receive prizes.
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The term "darkest depths" does not have to appear in your submission, as long as it portrays the prompt in some way. All submissions must reflect the dark romance theme.
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Submissions must be entered between January 25th and February 29th by 12AM EST (11PM CST).
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All entries not adhering to the above rules are immediately disqualified.
JUDGING CRITERIA
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Structure and flow - 5 pts
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Interpretation of theme - 5 pts
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Aesthetic and emotion - 5 pts
PRIZES
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1st Place: 1 copy of Adrift on a Sea of Shadows by Spyder Collins, 1 copy of The Ancient Ones by Cassandra L. Thompson, 1 copy of Bloodhound by Marie Casey, 1 copy of Rise of the Dark Goddess by Cassandra L. Thompson, plus spooky candle & bookmark.
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2nd Place: 1 copy of Rise of the Dark Goddess by Cassandra L. Thompson, plus spooky candle & bookmark.
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3rd Place: Spooky candle & bookmark.
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Winners can also expect to be featured on the Coffee, Book, & Candle newsletter and website, and the 1st Place winner will feature on Quill and Crow.
HOW TO ENTER
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Please email your submission to with Darkest Depths Competition in the subject line. Submissions will be accepted in .docx or PDF format. Include your name or penname, your entry title, and whether your submission is poetry or short fiction in the email.
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Submissions close on February 29th, 12AM EST. Any entries submitted after this point will not be considered.
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Winners will be notified via email and announced on Twitter via Coffee, Book, & Candle by March 20th. Participants who are not notified by this date did not place; however, we strongly encourage you to follow Coffee, Book, & Candle for future competitions and giveaways!