
Winning stories from our last contest ...	View in browser

The Write Catalyst Short Story Contest is back and open for submissions until July 22, 2026. We’re looking for breakthrough voices and experienced authors alike.

Our previous contests astounded us. The quality of the writing, the range of voices, the heart in these stories was a reminder of how many genuinely talented writers are out there not getting the recognition they deserve.

So today, we’re showcasing the winners from our last contest.

Winners of the Write Catalyst Short Story Contest receive cash, memberships, and are published and promoted through our platform. The contest is also listed by Kindlepreneur and Reedsy among the best writing contests to enter.

Thanks to the winning authors and all who participated. We invite all writers to submit your short fiction to the current contest.

Away From the World and the Horrific Things That Happen In It by Barb Weitzner – 1st Place Winner

… most of us well into our eighties, gather every morning to claim our familiar positions at a table under an umbrella on the veranda, at The Bowers, an upscale assisted-living facility, our lives lived in slow motion, killing time, in similar, desperate ways.

If No One Speaks by Sam Szanto – 2nd Place Winner

When they threw my kitten into the furnace, I thought: how in God’s name can I survive this? But what else can I do?

Feathers by Tomas Marcantonio – 3rd Place Winner

All at once my whole being seemed to shrink, as though something had reached inside my chest and grabbed my very soul, and with bony fingers was attempting to wrestle it out of existence.

The Elements by Yong Takahashi – Finalist

When does life begin? Does it start in the air as the breeze carries a lover’s call? Does it start in earth as warm bodies roll around in the soft grass? Does it start with fire as a look ignites new possibilities? Does it start in water as the amniotic sac explodes and pushes us out into the world?

The Knowable Failures by Samuel Parr– Finalist

If you join r/windowlessroom on Reddit, you will learn about the Gift of the Meaningless Library, and your obsession will begin.

The current Write Catalyst Annual Short Story Contest closes July 22, 2026.

Your story could be next.

Read submission guidelines and submit.

Win cash, get published, and share your work with with world.

ENTER THE CONTEST

PRIZES

— 1st Place: $100 cash or gift card + publication + 1-year Write Catalyst membership

— 2nd Place: $50 cash or gift card + publication + 1-year Write Catalyst membership

— 3rd Place: $25 cash or gift card + publication + 6-month Write Catalyst membership

(All placing stories receive mailing list and social media promotion)

DETAILS

— Entry fee: $5 per story (multiple entries welcome)

— Word count: 1,000–5,000 words

— Genre: Open — write what you love (excluding extreme horror and gratuitous erotica)

— Format: 12pt font, double-spaced, 1-inch margins. Include word count on first page. No self-identifying info (blind judging — no name in the file please)

— Deadline: July 22, 2026 at 12:00 AM EDT

Each submission will be evaluated for plot, theme, structure, characterization, atmosphere, originality, prose, and overall impact.

To submit, fill the form and upload your story. ENTER THE CONTEST

We can't wait to read what you create.

UPLOAD YOUR SUBMISSION

May the muse be with you,

Christa "Wojo"

Founder, Write Catalyst

⬇️ Don't forget to follow our new social links

christa@writecatalyst.com

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How do we start in the Realm?

A Mythic Bastionland luck roll to unlock the open table

Samuel James

May 29

READ IN APP

I’ve been running Mythic Bastionland as an open table game. Each session, I put out a call for players from a pool of eight to see who has availability to jump on Discord for two hours and roleplay as knights of the Realm. If I have even one player, we play. The stable of knights has grown with new players and shrunk with unfortunate endings. But the range of ages, glory, possessions, and connections is vast among the player characters. You have young ones starting out alongside old knights, some successful, some not so much. All together for an adventure to seek the myths, honor the seers, and protect the realm.

I might write more about the open table setup for MB. The drop-in, drop-out nature works wonders for vignette knightly storytelling and busy schedules.

With a new grouping of knights each session, I wanted a quick luck table to determine their starting position instead of either letting the players pick all the time and have an easy time of where the story starts and where they want to go or picking where the story picks up and having it be completely my decision. So bring out the dice!

At the beginning of the session, roll d6 to determine the company’s starting position:

1 - The company is in a bad spot. Roll d12 and d12 to determine their placement on the Realm map. Roll to see which task they are engaged in when their luck turns sour.
2-3 - The company is nearing the end of a task for the Realm. They are two hecksleagues away from a random holding. Roll to see which task they are almost done with.
4-6 - The company chooses which holding to start their adventures at. Roll to see which task they just finished.

SPRING TASKS

1. Collecting Tax (coin)
2. Dealing with dangerous weather (wind, cold rain, flooding)
3. Supplying a homestead (material, food, labor)
4. Undoing winter’s damage (bridge, signs, clearing paths)
5. Protecting a caravan (displaced vassals, royalty, merchants)
6. Fending off predators (beasts, beastmen, mythicals)

HARVEST TASKS

1. Collecting Tithe (food and drink)
2. Dealing with dangerous weather (heat waves, thunderstorms, wildfires)
3. On patrol following a scare
4. On guard for a hunt
5. Settling a dispute between vassals
6. Doing a Seer’s bidding (always odd)

WINTER TASKS

1. Collecting Levy (materials and goods)
2. Building winter shelters
3. Investigating a missing vassal
4. Collecting firewood and supplies
5. Seeking a Seer’s audience
6. Delivering a message

Some Mouse Guard influence here: sworn knights doing mundane tasks based on the season. Sprinkled in connections to holding rulers (collecting tax, tithe, and levies), the weather, enemies, peasants, and the seers. All knightly stuff, very easy to expand on or swap out your own ideas. :)

Happy gaming!

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