Enter our Halloween Week 2025 scary story contest by end of day EDT Monday, Oct. 13. 2,500 word maximum. No poetry. Simultaneous and already published stories welcome. You can enter more than once, but please one story per entry. The best five scary, horror or Halloween-themed stories submitted will be posted during the week of Oct. 27 - Oct. 31, 2025.

The first-place winner will receive a cash prize of CA$100.

The second-place winner will receive a cash prize of CA$50.

The three runners-up will receive cash prizes of CA$25 each.

Prizes will be paid via paypal.

 

This program is for those who would like to work with CommuterLit editor, Nancy Kay Clark, on one single short story in more depth and for an extended period of time. The service includes an initial two-page editorial critique, and two follow up critiques after rewrites, allowing you to work with Nancy to take your story from first to third (final) draft. Maximum word count per story draft is 4,000 words.

Submit your story (4000 word max.) and you will receive a two-page critique on your prose manuscript for just $65. Sorry, we are not able to evaluate poetry at this time. 

The critique will include comments on Theme, Voice & Tone, Plot/Narrative Arc, Pacing, Dialogue, Character Development, Readability and any Logic Problems within the text.  

Expect your critique to be emailed to you within three weeks.  

Let us know in your cover letter whether or not you are also submitting your manuscript for online publication on CommuterLit.com.

For a nominal fee of $100, you will receive a two-page critique on your  prose manuscript. Sorry, we are not able to evaluate poetry at this  time. 

The critique will include comments on Theme, Voice & Tone,  Plot/Narrative Arc, Pacing, Dialogue, Character Development, Readability  and any Logic Problems within the text.  

The fee includes all applicable taxes and covers the cost of the  editor's time. Expect your critique to be emailed to you within three  weeks. 

Please note: CommuterLit does not post stories longer than a maximum of 4,000 words.

For a nominal fee of $165, you will receive a two-page critique on your  prose manuscript. Sorry, we are not able to evaluate poetry at this  time. 

The critique will include comments on Theme, Voice & Tone,  Plot/Narrative Arc, Pacing, Dialogue, Character Development, Readability  and any Logic Problems within the text.  

The fee includes all applicable taxes and covers the cost of the  editor's time. Expect your critique to be emailed to you within three  weeks. 

Please note: CommuterLit does not post stories longer than a maximum of 4,000 words. 

So, you're finished your story, and have gotten it evaluated, edited and proofread. Now you're contemplating getting in touch with a literary agent, literary magazine publisher or book publisher. You write a query letter — but will it catch the attention of these busy professionals? For a nominal fee of $15 (including all applicable taxes), CommuterLit editor Nancy Kay Clark will review the draft letter and get back to you with her critique within one week.