The July Fiction Potluck Challenge is: Do It Scared
Send your best story in under 5,000 words.
This is a fiction-only challenge.
A tip from our guest judge, Lyss Buchthal: I think the best things in life are often done while quaking in your boots, whether it be slaying dragons, standing up to a bully, or asking your crush to hang out. For this challenge, I want to see characters doing what matters most to them, and doing it scared. Show me character-forward stories where the stakes feel sky-high to the protagonist, regardless of how they appear to others. What matters most to me is feeling immersed in the nuance. Not just what scares your characters, but also what inspires them to overcome.
About our guest: Lyss Buchthal (they/them) is a Chicago-based writer whose work centers queer Americana, primarily themes on identity, perception, and power. When not writing, Lyss can be found line-dancing, crocheting, drinking whiskey, or loudly and proudly rooting for the Seahawks.
*No identifying info inside your file.*
Include your piece title at top of your doc
TNR or Arial, 10/12, single spaced
Indent paragraphs
Empty margins on all sides
Empty line for scene breaks
Name your file with piece title and Fiction Potluck
If submitting by email, include your name/pseudonym and short bio in your email body.
Accepted file types: .doc, .docx, .odt
Live, unlocked Google Docs or Microsoft Word links are accepted via email (submissions[at]writersworkout.net). Set your document permissions to “anyone with the link can [comment or edit]” so we can collect it. We will not request access and we are not responsible for locked docs.
Please check the Potluck page or our listing here for rules and rights information.
Deadline: August 15
