NYC Midnight

Short Story Challenge 2023

In January 2023, I took the plunge and entered this competition.

First up, 8 days to write a 3,000-word short story with three random prompts given. Mine: Fantasy genre, Hypnotist (main character) and Collision Event (subject)… well. I came up with a strange fox-person post-apocalyptic story that I was actually fairly happy with. And I got first in my group of 30! I also had great feedback from the judges, who do this for everyone. It’s a bit pricey but it’s a fantastic and fun competition, with an online forum for advice, general writing talk and other writers to help you read and comment on your story, both before and after you’ve submitted.

The top 5 of each group went through to Round 2 – which whittled it down from about 6,000 to about 1,000. For Round 2, I had 3 days, 2,500 words and all new prompts… this time: Drama, a Cyclist, and Highway Robbery… here it is:

[note: content warning of slight violence, drug reference and bereavement]

Panniers

Fingers crossed for Round 3.

Here’s my earlier one as well. Hum, Mehitabel.

This story is stunning. It is a celebration of language and, in my opinion, a work of creative genius.”

Feedback from NYC Midnight judges on HUM, MEHITABEL., short story for the Round 1 challenge.