Contest Terms

Contest Dates

• Start: January 1, 2026
• End: February 28, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST

Entry Guidelines

✅ Entry is free!

✅ Publish your story on Inkitt and submit via the contest page or your work settings.

✅ Minimum 30,000 words by the deadline

✅ No maximum word limit

✅ Stories must be original (no plagiarism)

✅ All genres are welcome

✅ Stories must be new to Inkitt: either fully completed and uploaded in full on or after Jan 1, 2026, or ongoing stories whose first chapter was first published on or after Jan 1, 2026.

❌ Fanfiction and poetry are not eligible

❌ Entries already signed/published on Galatea or part of a signed series are ineligible

❌ Subscription stories are not eligible

✅ Multiple entries allowed (only one story per author can win)

Age Rating & Title Guidelines

• Titles must be suitable for all audiences
• Mature/age-restricted content is allowed if correctly labeled

Winner Announcement / Payment / Selection

• Winners will be announced within 4 weeks of the contest end date on Inkitt’s Instagram and the Inkitt Winners Page.
• Winners will be paid the month following their selection.
• Winner selection is determined by Inkitt’s algorithm, analyzing reader behaviors when interacting with your book.

FAQ

Is this a free writing contest? Yes — Inkitt’s writing contests are always free to enter.

Do I need to finish my story before submitting? No — in-progress and ongoing stories are welcome, as long as you reach 30,000 words by the deadline.

Can I submit multiple entries? Yes! Multiple stories are allowed, though only one can win.

Who can enter this contest? Any author worldwide.

Why enter this contest? Inkitt contests don’t just celebrate winners—they recognize everyone with badges and visibility, helping you grow your readership.