How to Write for Inkitt’s Active Contests: Tips to Stand Out

Writing for an Inkitt contest is exciting, but it can also feel a little overwhelming. How do you make sure your story is strong enough? Will you have enough time to reach the word count? And how do you polish it before the deadline without stressing yourself out?

At Inkitt, we have seen thousands of contest submissions, and we know what works. Here is our guide to help you plan, write, and submit a story that you are proud of without burning out in the process.

1. Don’t Panic, Just Plan

The first step is to take a deep breath. Writing for a contest should be fun. Look at the deadline and set a simple writing plan.

Example: If you need 20,000 words and you have 20 days, that’s 1,000 words a day. Break it down into small, daily goals so it feels less intimidating.

“We always remind authors: contests are marathons, not sprints. A little progress every day goes a long way.” — Inkitt Editorial Team

3. Start with a Clear Outline

Even a short outline will make writing so much easier. Decide:

• Who are your main characters?

• What conflict drives the story?

• How will it connect to the contest theme?

• How do you want the romance to resolve?

You don’t need a detailed map. Just knowing your beginning, middle, and end will keep you focused.

4. Write First, Edit Later

One of the biggest mistakes we see is authors editing as they write. This slows you down and makes it harder to finish on time. Instead, get the words out first, even if they’re messy. Save editing for later.

Tip from our Review Team: Try short writing sprints of 30 minutes. You’ll be surprised how much you can write when you don’t stop to fix every sentence.

5. Make Time to Proofread

A strong story can lose its impact if it’s full of typos or pacing issues. Set aside at least one or two days before the deadline to polish.

Check for:

• Spelling and grammar mistakes

• Sentences that sound awkward when read aloud

• Dialogue that doesn’t feel natural

• Chapters that drag on too long

“Readers want to get lost in your story, not in typos. Proofreading is one of the easiest ways to stand out.” — Inkitt Content Team

6. Structure Your Romance for Impact

Inkitt readers love romance arcs that feel satisfying. Here’s a simple structure to follow:

• Act One: Introduce your characters and hint at the attraction

• Act Two: Add conflict, secrets, or outside pressure to keep them apart

• Act Three: Deliver a big emotional payoff that proves their love is worth the risk

7. Stay Motivated

It’s normal to feel stuck halfway through. Remind yourself why you wanted to enter. Set mini rewards for meeting your goals, like a favorite snack after a writing session or a fun break after hitting your daily word count.

Final Thoughts

Writing for an Inkitt contest is your chance to shine. With a little planning, steady progress, and careful editing, you can create a story that both you and readers will love.

Want to try? Check out our active Inkitt contests here. We can’t wait to see what you submit!