Calendar

Novel Excerpt Prize
March 30 to May 31, 2026

We’re looking for the best 5,000 words or fewer from your novel in progress! We love to read opening chapters, climaxes, and anything in-between. A guest judge will choose three prize winners from a shortlist. The three cowinners of this prize will each receive $1,000 and publication. All entries will be considered for publication. Judge Micaiah Johnson.

Literary Agent Panel
June 08 to July 16, 2026

Our submitters have been asking for more access to literary agents, and we’re excited to announce a new agent panel featuring fast, furious first-page critiques followed by an Ask An Agent Anything session! Cost: $10 (to attend and/or receive the recording). The panel event will take place on Thursday, July 09, 2026, from 4-5:30 PT (7:00-8:30 ET). A video recording will be made available to registrants who can’t attend the live event.

Camp Summer Contest
July 01 to August 30, 2026

Think summer heat, secrets by the campfire, killer mosquitoes, and everything we love and hate about summer camp and the dangers of summer! We’re excited to offer the winner of this prize $3,000 and publication, while the second- and third-place winners will receive publication and $300 and $200, respectively. Our guest judge, Ai Jiang, will choose all prize winners.

Reprint Prize
September 01 to September 30, 2026

We want to bring light to those lost or forgotten genre stories—the stories that you love but feel are no longer receiving the attention or recognition they deserve. We’re excited to offer the winner of this prize $1,000 and publication, while the second- and third-place winners will receive publication and $300 and $200, respectively. The Uncharted editors and team will decide the winners.

Horror Challenge
October 01 to October 11, 2026

It’s time for our horror writers to send us something that has us checking our back seats, under our beds, and our closets. We’re seeking stories that center around the frightening, creepy, and horrific. And to make things extra spooky, we’re only giving you ten days to submit! For this challenge, we’re pleased to offer the grand-prize winner $500 and publication. All entries will be considered for general publication at our regular rate of $200.

Novel Excerpt Prize
October 15 to December 13, 2026

We’re looking for the best 5,000 words or fewer from your novel in progress! We love to read opening chapters, climaxes, and anything in-between. A guest judge will choose three prize winners from a shortlist. The three cowinners of this prize will each receive $1,000 and publication. All entries will be considered for publication. Judge TBA.