Haunted Words & Creative Sparks
Dear Accidental Writers,
It's mid-October with its crisp air, golden leaves, and just the right amount of eerie energy to stir your storytelling soul. Whether you’re chasing deadlines, dodging plot holes, or simply scribbling in candlelight, this month is brimming with opportunities to write boldly—and weirdly.
📰 Creative Writing News & Opportunities
🖋️ NoViolet Bulawayo wins Best of Caine Prize
Zimbabwean author NoViolet Bulawayo has been awarded the Best of Caine Prize Anniversary Award for her short story Hitting Budapest, celebrating 25 years of excellence in African writing. A powerful reminder that short fiction can change the world.
🎃 Halloween-themed competitions are live!
• Tales from the Moonlit Path is accepting horror and dark fiction for its Tropes Edition (up to 2,000 words, deadline: Oct 13).
• Shady Grove Literary is calling for flash fiction (≤300 words, any genre) for its annual contest (deadline: Oct 31).
• Solarpunk Magazine and Tractor Beam are offering paid calls for speculative fiction, poetry, and art—perfect for writers with a twist of genre.
💸 Fellowships & Grants
• The American Antiquarian Society is offering 4-week fellowships for creative projects rooted in pre-20th-century American history.
• Canadian poets can apply for the DC Reid Poets’ Grant (£5,000) to support ongoing work.
👻 Challenge Spotlight: Haunted Ink Round Robin
This October, we’re summoning something special…
🕯️ The Haunted Ink Round Robin
A collaborative writing challenge where eerie tales unfold one voice at a time. Writers are placed in spooky storytelling groups and given a shared story seed—genre, theme, and opening line. Each writer adds their section in a 2-day sprint, building suspense and mystery together.
🗓️ Registration closes Monday 20 October
✍️ Challenge begins Tuesday 21 October
📖 Final stories revealed on Halloween in our Haunted Ink Anthology
Whether you’re drawn to gothic mystery, paranormal romance, or horror comedy, this is your chance to write with others, surprise yourself, and be part of something hauntingly beautiful.
👉 Click here to register
🧠 Writing Prompt of the Month
"The candle flickered once, then went out. But the whisper remained."
Write a 300-word scene inspired by this moment. Post it in the community or keep it for your own haunted archives.
Until next time, keep writing—even when the fog rolls in.
Your words matter. Your voice is magic.
See you in the shadows…
Warmly,
Heather & The Creative Tips Club
🖋️ The Accidental Writer
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