TREE OF LIFE FANTASY CONTEST

3,000-7,500 words

Early Bird Deadline: September 6, 2026 | $15 per entry

Final Deadline: October 16, 2026 | $25 per entry

ENTER THE CONTEST

What’s the contest about?

Tree of Life Books is thrilled to announce our inaugural Fantasy Short Story Contest, a celebration of imagination, storytelling, and the rich tapestry of cultures that shape the worlds we create. Fantasy as a genre can be quite broad, and whether your story weaves a tale of ancient legends, forgotten gods, or the threads of magic that twist through our everyday lives, Tree of Life welcomes you to submit your story!

At Tree of Life Books, we believe stories have the power to connect people across time, place, and tradition. We are especially interested in narratives inspired by community, cultural heritage, and the diverse experiences that make our world—and our imagined worlds—so compelling. We encourage writers of all backgrounds to share stories that bring fresh perspectives and unique voices to the fantasy genre.

We are seeking adult fantasy short stories (3,000-7,500 words). Three cash prizes will be awarded to our winning entries, and a select group of standout stories will be chosen for publication in Tree of Life’s very first fantasy short story anthology. Our top three winners will be decided by our lovely guest judge, I.V. Ophelia.

This is your opportunity to showcase your creativity, reach new readers, and be part of an inaugural collection dedicated to the magic of storytelling. Whether you’re a seasoned author or submitting your first fantasy tale, we invite all fantasy writers to join us on this exciting journey.

The adventure begins here. Submit your story and let your imagination take root!

ENTER HERE

Submission Guidelines

  • All stories must be between 3,000 and 7,500 words, not including the title.

  • All stories submitted must be typed and double-spaced with 1-inch page margins. Please format the story in 12-point serif (e.g., Times New Roman) or sans-serif (e.g., Arial) font.

  • The title of the story should appear on the first page. The author's name should not appear within the manuscript document or the cover letter to ensure blind judging.

  • All files submitted must be either .docx or .pdf.

  • All files must be titled as: [Story Title]_TOL.docx/.pdf.

  • All stories must be written in English. Translations into English are acceptable, but both the original author and translator must be given credit. (The translator must have permission to publish the translations, or the original work must be in the public domain per U.S. and international copyright law).

  • Only unpublished works may be considered (works posted on personal blogs/websites/social media pages, etc. are okay). Do not submit stories that have won other contests or awards.

  • 'Retellings' or contemporizations must be acknowledged (in the cover letter or) on your submission document. Please do not submit fanfiction.

  • Simultaneous submissions are allowed on the condition that if a story is accepted elsewhere, the author must immediately withdraw from the contest.

  • You may submit as many stories as you’d like, but each submission incurs an entry fee. If you submit more than one story, only one will be eligible for publication and for a cash prize.

  • All submissions must be the work of one author only.

  • All work must be original. Use of generative AI of any kind will result in disqualification.

  • All fantasy subgenres are welcome!

The Prizes

1st Place

$250

Publication in Tree of Life’s inaugural fantasy anthology.
Editorial feedback on your work.
Anthology cover design based on your story!

2nd Place

$150

Publication in Tree of Life’s inaugural fantasy anthology.
Editorial feedback on your work.

3rd Place

$100

Publication in Tree of Life’s inaugural fantasy anthology.
Editorial feedback on your work.

Shorlisted

Publication in Tree of Life’s inaugural fantasy anthology.

I.V. Ophelia

Guest Judge

USA Today Bestselling author I.V. Ophelia is known for her gothic vampire series The Poisoner. Born in small-town New England, she now haunts the streets of New York City, writing the most unhinged tales she can conjure. When not crafting gothic romance, she works as a full-time artist, hoards nineteenth-century gowns and antique furniture, dotes on her menagerie of pets, and plots her next literary transgression.

For more info, visit ivophelia.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • You must be over 18 to participate.

  • No. However, the manuscript should be copyedited and close to being ready for publication. Minor errors are ok. Any stories selected for publication will undergo a round of light copyediting.

  • Every submission will be read by our Tree of Life reading team. After reviewing all entries, each reader will select their top stories. The reading team will then determine the contest shortlist, which will be forwarded to our guest judge, GUEST JUDGE NAME, for final consideration. The guest judge will select the first, second, and third-place winners.

  • Submissions will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

    • Originality & Creativity: Does the story offer a fresh and imaginative approach to fantasy?

    • Storytelling: Is the plot engaging, well-paced, and satisfying?

    • Character Development: Are the characters compelling and memorable?

    • Worldbuilding: Does the setting feel immersive and intentional?

    • Writing Craft: Are the prose, dialogue, and structure effective?

    • Fantasy Elements: Are the fantastical elements meaningfully integrated?

    • Overall Impact & Potential: Does the story leave a lasting impression and demonstrate a unique voice?

    We welcome all fantasy subgenres and styles. Stories will be judged on the overall quality of the writing and how successfully they achieve their own creative vision, rather than on a particular type of fantasy.

  • 'Retellings' or contemporizations are accepted but must be acknowledged in your submission. No fanfiction is allowed.

  • No. Use of generative AI of any kind will result in disqualification.

  • Tree of Life Books will have first North American serial rights to publish the selected works in the contest anthology and related promotional materials. Authors retain full copyright and all additional rights to their submitted work. See the Rights section for more information.

  • Email us at treeoflifebooksinfo@gmail.com

Rights

  • The contest organizers reserve the right to disqualify submissions that fail to comply with contest rules, contain plagiarized material, use prohibited AI-generated content, or otherwise violate contest guidelines.

  • Authors whose works are selected for publication will be contacted before publication and asked to sign a separate publication agreement. The publication agreement will grant Tree of Life Books first North American serial rights to publish the work in the contest anthology and related promotional materials. Authors retain full copyright and all additional rights to their submitted work.

  • All rights to any entries not selected for publication remain solely with the author. Tree of Life Books will not publish, distribute, or otherwise use non-selected submissions without the author's express written permission.

Publication

  • Selected authors may be asked to make reasonable editorial revisions prior to publication.

  • Winning and finalist entries selected by the judges will be published in the anthology.