Contest Rules

The shape of it

Roughly one contest a month: a short writing prompt, an entry window, and (usually) a community voting week. Deadlines run through end of day US Central time. Free to enter, one entry per writer, and you need a Writer Roll Call account to take part.

Eligibility

You must be 18 or older. Void where prohibited — if contests with prizes aren't lawful where you live, you may write along but can't win one.

Your entry

Original work, written by you, within the prompt's word limit. Entries are private while the window is open — you can edit or withdraw until it closes. During voting, entries appear without author names. Entries that are off-prompt, plagiarized, or abusive may be removed.

Judging is skill-based

Community voting is advisory: each member picks up to three favorites, and the founder confirms the final placements on merit. The founder's decisions are final. No purchase, payment, or element of chance is involved at any step.

What happens to entries

You keep ownership of everything you write. By entering, you grant Writer Roll Call a license to display your entry: anonymously during voting, and — if you place — with your name on the results pages, including the public site. Non-winning entries are permanently deleted when results publish; the only entries we retain are the winners'. Deleting your account removes your entries too, including past winning ones.

Prizes

Each contest states its own prize (typically gift cards for the top three). Winners are notified by email and prizes are arranged personally by email — usually within a week of results. No cash-value games, no substitutions promised, and any taxes on a prize are the winner's affair.

Questions

Write to [email protected]. These rules can change between contests; the version posted when a contest opens is the one that governs it.