Welcome to the short story contest! This contest will test your writing ability.

Rules

1. All story concepts and writing must be your own. Use of AI or using others stories is not allowed.
2. You must follow the theme: A fire horse in an unknown world.
3. Stories must be at least 2 paragraphs in length and no longer than 6.
4. Stories must be submitted to the form here. You may post your story in the comments or outside of HoFa.
5. You must submit to either the novice or advanced group. Novice is <1 year of continuous writing and advanced is >1 year. Continuous writing includes blog posting, journaling, creative writing etc.
6. Stories must be submitted by March 30 at 3pm EST/game time. You may submit here.

Judging

Judging will be based on creativity, adherence to the theme, and grammar.

Prizes

There will be prizes for 1st place for both novice and advanced entries. Each winner will be awarded 50 dyes or gems of their choosing, a breed coin, a breeders promise, 3 horse-friendly chocolate truffles, listing on the 2026 Short Story winners list and bragging rights! Winners also receive 5 extra points toward the overall winner for 2026 March Madness.

This contest is worth 10 participation points for the 2026 March Madness. The player with the most participation points at the end will receive a one-year platinum upgrade, 10,000 ingots and 1,000,000 bits. With 2nd receiving 5,000 ingots and 500k bits and 3rd 2,500 ingots and 250k bits.