The Open Novella Contest 2025

This should be good.

It’s that time of year again—when writers everywhere throw caution (and their social lives) to the wind to tackle the Open Novella Contest! This marks my fifth year participating, which means I’ve officially spent half a decade willingly subjecting myself to this glorious creative chaos. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. The challenge, the community, and—best of all—ending up with a complete story at the finish line? Sign me up every time.

So, What Is the Open Novella Contest?

The Open Novella Contest (ONC) is not just any writing competition; it’s the writing competition for anyone who loves a good storytelling marathon. Think of it as a literary triathlon where you must sprint, strategize, and pace yourself to produce a novella—something meatier than a short story but not quite a doorstopper of a novel.

Participants must craft a story between 20,000 and 40,000 words, which is the storytelling sweet spot: long enough for depth and intrigue but short enough to prevent existential despair (well, mostly). To make things even more exciting, all stories must be based on one of the official ONC prompts. And this year? There are 140 prompts to choose from. That’s right—140 sparks of inspiration, waiting to be molded into something brilliant. You can pick one, mix a few together, or twist them into something uniquely yours.

As always, I’ll be diving headfirst into the fantasy genre, because magic, adventure, and possibly some apocalyptic crises for my characters are just too tempting to resist. Here are my favorite prompts this year (not in order, because I’m lawless):

31. Next time, ask yourself if your integrity can withstand the truth.

39. An ancient tribe, living for centuries, accidentally summons a monster. Now, they must figure out how to undo the chaos they've unleashed.

86. Nobody new has come to your hidden town in centuries - until now. Someone appears on your doorstep, claiming they're here to find you. But how do they know your name?

96. The road you've traveled almost every day of your life begins to change - transforming into a dark, terrifying place right before your eyes.

102. What is science, if not magic governed by laws instead of emotions?

110. 20 days of freedom.

120. The door that closed to you many years ago has reopened, and now it's up to you to take a chance once more.

130. »Protect this with your life.«

125. »Fear is the mind-killer.« - Quote by Frank Herbert Dune

12. While hiking through a forest, you stumble upon a unicorn's horn.

103. After a catastrophic accident affects an entire town, the residents begin experiencing strange and inexplicable symptoms.

105. Your childhood imaginary friend, who disappeared years ago, suddenly returns - only this time, they're real.

111. A single night can change everything. Even someone you thought you knew — like your closest friend.

129. »The ink of our souls binds us beyond the pages of time.«

13. When you challenge a magical being, the rules are simple: you must finish what you started, no matter the cost.

131. »This girl is on fire.«

135. »She really fell from the sky and landed right into my arms, I'm not even lying!«

136. »There is coming this event, when will finally see the light of the day.«

44. In the middle of a storm, a stranger arrives at your cabin, and you offer them shelter. But the storm's forecast says you'll be stuck for much longer than expected.

24. At nineteen, everyone receives a power that reveals their true self - except you.

If you’re participating, let’s commiserate/celebrate together—comment and tell me what you’re writing! And, as always, may the odds be ever in your favor.