About the contest
The Echoes of Us: Second Chance Romance Writing Contest 2026
The Echoes of Us Writing Contest invites you to explore the ones that got away and the lovers who finally found their way back. Whether they were torn apart by misunderstandings, distance, or time, we want stories where love gets a much-deserved second try.
💖 We’re looking for Second Chance Romance stories across all subgenres—contemporary, small-town, fantasy romance, paranormal romance, or romantic suspense. Make readers swoon, cry, and cheer for their reunion.
💌 Reunited exes, childhood sweethearts, divorced couples finding their spark again, or fated mates crossing paths years later—if it belongs to the second chance trope, it belongs in this contest.
📅 Submission Deadline: May 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST
Story Inspiration
- High school sweethearts unexpectedly collide ten years later in their small hometown, discovering the old spark never truly died.
- Fiercely competitive divorced partners are forced to work together to save their family business, only to realize they still belong together.
- Two fated lovers torn apart by a tragic misunderstanding cross paths again, but one of them is keeping a massive, heart-stopping secret.
Submission Deadline
11:59pm PST on May 31st
What you win
🥇 1st Place
- A Galatea publishing contract offer
- $300 USD
- Social media spotlight across Inkitt platforms
- Inkitt VIP Badge
- Contest Winner badge for your book cover
- Feature on @inkittbooks Instagram
🥈 2nd Place
- $150 USD
- Social media spotlight across Inkitt platforms
- Inkitt VIP Badge
- Contest Winner badge for your book cover
- Feature on @inkittbooks Instagram
🥉 3rd Place
- $50 USD
- Social media spotlight across Inkitt platforms
- Inkitt VIP Badge
- Contest Winner badge for your book cover
- Feature on @inkittbooks Instagram
Contest Terms
Contest Dates
- Start: March 16, 2026
- End: May 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST
Entry Guidelines
✅ Entry is free!
✅ Publish your story on Inkitt and submit via the contest page or your work settings.
✅ Minimum 20,000 words by the deadline
✅ No maximum word limit
✅ Stories must be original (no plagiarism)
✅ Stories MUST CONTAIN Romance Genre and Second Chance subgenre to be eligible.
- Other genres and subgenres are permitted as long as those two are present.
- For this contest, “Second Chance Romance” means a love story where the main couple has history together and gets another chance at making the relationship work. Stories about a character finding love again with someone new would not fall under the theme for this contest.
✅ Previously completed stories and ongoing stories are allowed
✅ Multiple entries allowed per author (only one story per author can win)
✅Paid-tier subscription stories ARE eligible
- To appear on the contest shelf, your story needs to have AT LEAST 10k words accessible for Free.
- You can learn more about setting up free chapter schedules or setting specific free chapters here.
❌ Fanfiction and poetry are not eligible
❌ Entries already signed/published on Galatea or part of a signed series are ineligible
Age Rating & Title Guidelines
- Titles and covers must be suitable for all audiences.
Winner Announcement / Payment / Selection
- Winners will be announced within 4 weeks of the contest end date on Inkitt’s Instagram and the Inkitt Winners Page.
- Winners will be paid the month following their selection.
- Winner selection is determined by Inkitt’s algorithm, analyzing reader behaviors when interacting with your book.
FAQ
Is this a free writing contest? Yes — Inkitt’s writing contests are always free to enter.
Do I need to finish my story before submitting? No — in-progress and ongoing stories are welcome, as long as you reach 20,000 words by the deadline.
Can I submit multiple entries? Yes! Multiple stories are allowed, though only one can win.
Who can enter this contest? Any author worldwide.
Why enter this contest? Inkitt contests don’t just celebrate winners — they recognize everyone with badges and visibility, helping you grow your readership.
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