Rounds & Challenges
This is the place to go to see what your current challenge is. Check this page often to keep up to speed. Our prompts are provided on the day a round begins. We run four rounds in this competition, and each round is a delightful (and harrowing) surprise to our Gauntleteers. We find this keeps them on their toes and at the top of their game. Got any questions? Consult our Guidelines or FAQs. Still need some clarification? Contact us and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
Round One
Review the classic children’s story “King Midas and the Golden Touch” while discussing its SF and adult elements.
Begins: 9/10/19 @ 10PM EST
Deadline: 9/24/19 @ 10PM EST
Round Two
Write a speculative fiction short story in which the sentence “Live with it” is written on something. It need not be the centerpiece of your tale, but it should affect the story in some way.
Begins: 9/28/19 @ 10PM EST
Deadline: 10/5/19 @ 10PM EST
Round Three
Critique The Alchemist’s Feather by Erin Cashier. College essayists need not apply.
Begins: 10/9/19 @ 10PM EST
Deadline: 10/16/19 @ 10PM EST
Round Four
Write a genre story which frightens the judges. Horror is meant to be scary, not clever.
Begins: 10/20/19 @ 10PM EST
Deadline: 11/3/19 @ 10PM EST