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Sappho and Erinn in a Garden at Mytilene by Simeon Solomon (Tate Gallery)

Contest Rules & Info

The rules for the Bulwer Lytton Fiction Contest are childishly simple:

  • Each entry must consist of a single sentence, but you may submit as many entries as you wish.

  • Sentences may be of any length but we strongly recommend that entries not go beyond 50 or 60 words. Entries must be “original” (as it were) and previously unpublished.

  • Due to the volume of submissions, if your entry is more than one sentence or is missing a name or location it won't be considered.

  • The contest accepts submissions every day of the livelong year, but the deadline for each year's contest is June 30th.

  • Winners are announced in mid August. The 2021 winners were announced on August 13th.  

  • In keeping with the gravitas, high seriousness, and general bignitude of the contest, the grand prize winner will receive … an absolute pittance (and bragging rights).

  • Please inflict your entries for the 2023 contest using our form below. 

Inflict Your Sentence

Thank you! We've received your sentence.

Form
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