Write a short story on the theme “A Peculiar Invention” and submit it for a chance to see your story published with The Pearl and win $100! It’s free to enter and open to everyone.
We want stories of gadgets, gizmos, and clever fabrications in this writing contest!
The winter writing contest theme is “A Peculiar Invention,” and we want to see what sort of story you can forge. Is your story going to be about a inconceivable device? Will it be about a lie someone invented or a clever excuse they dreamed up? Maybe your story isn’t about the inventions created, but the friends made along the way!
The important thing is to have fun with this. You can play to the typical tropes or do something weird. In any case, write a great story and surprise us!
Your story does not necessarily need to include the words “A Peculiar Invention”, but it should embody the idea in one way or another. Be creative. The box is wide open. Use the prompt in a way we wouldn’t expect.
This contest will be judged by Alli Prince, a graduate of The Company’s apprenticeship program, to celebrate the release of her debut novella: Copper Lies.
One secret can lead to many lies…
If you make something, and then that something accidentally comes alive and destroys your entire town…would it be fair to say that you destroyed the town, or can we just blame it on the thing?
Lillian Booker is dying to experiment on the strange glowing rocks hidden inside her adoptive father’s workshop—but the professor forbid it before he left on his journey. As Lillian learns all she can about the stones without breaking the professor’s rule, she finds herself stuck between two worlds.
Will she live the life of a brilliant inventor or give up on her dreams and become a respectable lady instead? What will make her happy? Most importantly, which will prove to the professor that he didn’t make a mistake when he chose her?
When Lillian secretly builds a mechanical dragon, one mistake leads to another—the strange glowing stones collide with her creation, and her dragon roars to life! Lillian must make a choice…lie and keep her dragon a secret or finally face the truth?
Will any of it matter anyway if the town’s already been destroyed?
Grab your copy of Copper Lies on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3BuJvYI
All genres and styles of narrative writing (storytelling) are accepted for this contest, as long as it’s 1,500 words or less. It’s completely free to enter.
Your story can be funny, scary, heartwarming, compelling, or invigorating. You can interpret the theme as creatively as you want.
The deadline to enter is 11:59pm ET on March 1, 2025. We’ll announce the winners sometime in the month of March.
Fabulous Writing Contest Prizes
The winner of this contest will take home a $100 Amazon gift card and be published by The Pearl. The runner-up will receive a $50 credit to spend in The Company Store.
Member Bonus: Anyone can enter one story in this contest for free, but Agents and Operatives of The Company with an account in good standing can submit up to three stories.
How to Enter this Writing Contest
Entering the contest is simple. If you don’t have an account with The Company yet, you can get one for free here. Simply register, log in, and then submit your story here. There are some additional details on that page about file types, font sizes, and that sort of thing, so make sure you read all of the details on the submission page before you submit.
Details Roundup
Writing Contest Theme: “A Peculiar Invention” – all styles and genres are welcome. Your story does not need to include the words “A Peculiar Invention,” just the idea.
Word Limit: 1,500 words or less.
Deadline: 11:59pm ET on March 1, 2025
Contest Prize: Winner will receive a $100 Amazon gift card and their story will be published by The Pearl. Runner-up will receive a $50 credit to The Company Store.
Who can participate? Anyone. There is no cost to enter. The writing contest is open to writers of all ages and experience levels. You may live anywhere in the world, but you must have a mailing address in the United States to receive physical prizes. If you’re an Agent or Operative level member of The Company, you can submit two additional stories for free.
Do I keep the rights to my work? Yes! We will only publish the contest winner to our website. All others retain complete control and copyrights of their work. Before The Pearl publishes the winner, they will ask for permission from the author. You can still win even if you’d prefer your story to not be published.
How do I enter? Register for a FREE account with The Company. Registration is easy. Once registered, log in to submit your work for this contest.
I need help! We’d love to help you. Shoot us an email at info@writers.company. Don’t wait until the day of the deadline to ask for help. You can also ask questions on “The Company Secrets” Facebook group.
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About the Contest Judge: Alli Prince
Alli Prince is originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, but currently resides in Cambridge, Ohio, where she works as an intern for The Company. She graduated from The Company’s full-time apprenticeship program in 2024.
Alli Prince was the creative mind behind Lawless, an anthology of short stories inspired by the book of Judges. On her website, she currently encourages writers to overcome their ever-present inner critics.
Learn more about Alli Prince on her website, alliprince.com
Is it ok to submit under a pen name?
Great question! Please create your account and submit using your real name. If you win and you prefer that we use a pen name to publish the story and for our announcement, we can definitely do that (we reach out to all the winners prior to the announcement). But for legal reasons, a real person needs to submit the piece and agree to the rules of the contest. 🙂