Submit your story
After you complete the monthly challenge, submit your story to submit@tinydotschallenge.com for a chance to be featured in our Editor's Picks. You will receive feedback on your first submission per month to Tiny Dots Challenge. Submissions must be sent by the last day of the challenge month.
Submission Guidelines
- Send work as a PDF or Word document attachment
- You may use single or double spacing
- Use 12pt font
- Please use a spell check and edit your work before submission. Read our writing tips for suggestions.
- We feature stories between 1,000 and 5,000 words. There is some wiggle room so if you are a few words over or under, don't feel like you need to add anything unnecessary or take away something important.
- The story must include all five documents sent out. They do not need to be in document form. For example, if you receive a flyer for an event, it could be the event featured in your story.
- Please do not submit a story written or created by AI. We want to showcase human capabilities, which far exceed the artificial.
What we look for in stories
- Original: All members receive the same documents each month. Does your story stand out? There is no right or wrong way to connect the pieces of the story.
- Tells a complete story: We are looking for a complete story, not the first chapter of a larger story, an abrupt end, or something that has no context. Please include a beginning, middle, and end.
- Voice: Your narrative voice should shine here. Please do not imitate your favorite writer.
- All documents are used in a way that is important to the story: They should not be irrelevant details added to the story. They should be woven into the story in a way that if the document wasn't included, the story itself would be different. The document itself does not need to be included- it could be the information you learn from it.
- Grammar and Formatting: Please proofread your story and follow our guidelines for submitting.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use AI?
The Tiny Dots Challenge is designed to be an exercise in human creativity. We want to see what connections you make.
Stories created using AI or generative text will not be considered to be an editor's pick.
If I submit my story, can I submit it to other journals or contests?
We highly encourage this! You will keep all publishing rights to your story.
By submitting your story, you are giving us permission to feature your story on our website.
What is the deadline to submit?
Stories should be emailed no later than the last day of the month the challenge takes place. For example, if the challenge is occuring in August, the final day to submit is August 31st.
Can I submit more than one story?
We ask that you submit only one story each month. If you do submit multiple stories, only the first story submitted will receive feedback.
Will I get feedback on my story?
You will! Every story submitted to Tiny Dots Challenge will receive feedback.