Contest Terms

Contest Dates

• Start: February 14, 2026
• End: April 30, 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)

✅ Clean Romance stories are welcome across romance subgenres (contemporary, romcom, small-town, fantasy romance, paranormal romance, romantic suspense, etc.)

✅ Cut-to-black / closed-door intimacy is allowed.

❌ Erotica and explicit sex scenes are not eligible

❌ Fanfiction and poetry are not eligible

✅ Previously completed stories and ongoing stories are allowed

❌ Entries already signed/published on Galatea or part of a signed series are ineligible

❌ Paid-tier subscription stories are not eligible

✅ Multiple entries allowed (only one story per author can win)

Age Rating & Title Guidelines

• Titles must be suitable for all audiences.
• Mature/age-restricted content is allowed if correctly labeled.
• Explicit sex scenes are not eligible for this contest (closed-door / fade-to-black is welcome).
• Other mature themes—such as violence, strong language, or sensitive topics—are permitted if appropriately labeled.

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.