Forest & Fawn presents
Accepting submissions now through December 2nd, 2025
about the challenge
Have you crafted a magical world you’re just dying for people to see? Or, maybe you’ve had an idea simmering for a bit and you’re ready to finally bring it to life? Either way, this is for you.
This challenge is an opportunity to share your writing, receive feedback, and compete for cash prizes and the option to have your submission published on our website for thousands of fantasy writers to see.
All you have to do is submit the first 5 pages of your manuscript, whether it’s a completed novel, work in progress, or a brand new idea!
How does it work?
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Submit Your Pages. Submit your 5 pages along with your entry fee, author name, trigger warnings, etc. The hard part is over!
Wait for results. Okay, maybe this is the hard part. Results will be announced within 3 months after the completion of the challenge.
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Results Released. The top three stories will be announced within three months after registration closes. Winners will receive a cash prize, website feature, and the option to have their entry published!
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Receive Your Feedback. Feedback will be sent out approximately one week after winners have been announced.
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This is for you if:
You have a work in progress you’d like feedback on
You want to try out a new idea for a novel
You want feedback to see which start to your novel works best (you can submit multiple entries!)
You have a completed manuscript, an unfinished manuscript, or no manuscript at all (I mean, all you need is 5 pages…)
You need motivation to get started on a new project
Just like being creative and trying new things!!
Mark your calendar
Submissions Open:
Wednesday, November 5th, 2025
Submissions Close:
Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025 @ 9:00 pm ET
Results will be announced:
Within 3 Months
Feedback delivered:
Within 1 week of winner announcements
Do I need to be a serious writer to join?
ABSOLUTELY NOT!
While we welcome established and practiced fantasy writers to join this challenge, it is just as suitable for someone who wants to explore a novel idea for the very first time. This challenge is meant to inspire you to explore your expression through writing as well as help you grow as a writer!
Prizes
All winning stories will have the option to be published on our website for thousands of fantasy readers to see!
1st place
$1,800 cash prizE
Website featuring including author bio and interview
2nd place
$900 cash prize
Website featuring including author bio and interview
3rd place
$400 cash prizE
Website featuring including author bio and interview
Why join?
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If you have an idea that’s been living in your imagination but hasn’t made its way onto paper, this is a perfect opportunity to start bringing it to life. You don’t need much, only the first 5 pages!
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We are giving over $3,800 worth of prizes.
Cash prize
Free-trials to Writer’s Corner membership
Have your work published on the Forest & Fawn website
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We know how valuable feedback is when you're a writer, so we will be providing you with feedback within 1 week after winners are announced!
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Winners will receive a website feature and will have the option to have their stories published on the Forest & Fawn website (aka, a place frequented by a lot of fantasy readers)!
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Have multiple manuscripts you want feedback on? Or not sure which start to your novel works best? Submit multiple entires and receive feedback on them all!
What our past participants are saying:
the review process
1) In the first round of review, your story will go to our reading team that is full of teachers, editors, and writing professionals. They score the story based on a common rubric. This rubric judges the story based on categories such as characters, pacing, world-building, readability, imagery, and hook. Each story is read and reviewed in a set of 20 stories, and each story will be scored by multiple readers. You will receive feedback from at least one reviewer in each round your story advances to. The amount of feedback you receive will depend on how many rounds your story goes through.
2) The top stories from each set are sent to the 2nd round of review, where the stories will go through a similar review process with different members of our reading team. Each story is read and reviewed in a set of 20 stories.
3) The top stories from round 2 will move to the final round that is read, scored, and reviewed by members of our review team. After this, the final ranking is determined!
4) Feedback will be provided to all writers and will be written by a member of our reviewer team.
fantasy manuscript challenge entry
Includes:
One entry to the manuscript challenge
Opportunity to win a cash prize and website feature
Feedback on your story
Entry Fee:
$35 for the first 200 entries
$40 after that!
want discounted entry?
Join our membership specifically crafted for women and femmes who write fantasy!
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Monthly Workshops
Get on a call with us to stretch your creativity muscle, practice writing with prompts, and hear from other writers
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Exclusive Guest Workshops
Hear from industry professionals and have all of your questions answered
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Critique Partner Matchup
We will pair you with another writer who you can connect with to receive feedback, support, and accountability
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Exclusive Events
Join us for write-ins, open mics, revision sessions, and more
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Accountability Check-Ins
We will post check-ins to help you stay on track with your goals and prioritize your creativity
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Weekly Prompts
Enjoy writing prompts to help you stay creative and challenge yourself
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Writing Challenge Discounts
Join the Forest & Fawn writing challenges at a reduced registration fee
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Library of Recordings
Get access to the replays of the virtual events so that you never miss out
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Online Forums
Make new friends in the chat, connect with other writers, and participate in polls, questions, and more
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First Access to Discounted Retreat Tickets
Be the first to get an opportunity to snag a spot at any of our retreats. Plus, enjoy early bird pricing!
Want to learn more about what this community has to offer?
submission FAQs
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No, your entry must be the first 5 pages maximum.
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No, you must submit the first 5 pages.
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Within one week of winners being announced.
Our team goes through each piece of feedback for quality assurance purposes. Please be patient with us while we review your feedback before sending it your way.
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For any questions not on the FAQ, please email us at hello@forestandfawnretreats.com
If you have already registered, please include your “submission number” in the subject line.
Please do not message us through the Award Force platform or Instagram with your questions.
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No! A.I. is not allowed anywhere in the writing or reviewing process.
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Your registration fee goes toward:
Award Force platform to run the challenge
Cash prize pool
Compensating our review team for three rounds of review
Running Forest and Fawn
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Online! You can write from the comfort of your own home or your favorite coffee shop. As long as you turn in your submission on time, it doesn’t matter where you do the rest!
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Heck no! This challenge is for seasoned writers and newcomers alike!
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You must be over 18 to participate.
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YES! Protecting writer IP is our top priority. Should you place in the top 3, you have the option to have your submission published on our website and platforms, but all writers retain the rights to their work whether they place or not.
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Yes!
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Yes!
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Yes! Forest & Fawn is not responsible for translating your story into English. You may, however, use phrases or quotes in other languages throughout the story.
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Once you have submitted your entry, there are no refunds.
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The stories will go through 2 rounds of preliminary judging based on a standardized rubric with various criteria. The top stories from the preliminary rounds of judging will go on to be read and reviewed in a final round of judging, where winners are selected.
Each story is read and reviewed in a set of 20 stories, and each story will be scored by multiple readers. You will receive feedback from at least one reviewer in each round your story advances to. The amount of feedback you receive will depend on how many rounds your story goes through.
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Yes, international participants are welcome! Just make sure to adjust the time zone so you get your assignment in on time.
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Judging criteria includes but is not limited to:
Characters
World-building
Pacing
Hook
Readability
Imagery
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To submit, click any of the “submit” buttons on this page and follow the instructions on the Award Force login page!
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Yes, you may submit a retelling. Fanfics, however, will not be accepted and will be disqualified.