Out of the Dream
Write a horror story inspired by a nightmare, ending with the character waking up in an unexpected place.
Prizes
- 5 Winners:
- $200
- 15 Runners-up:
- $15
- 10 Honorable Mentions:
- $5
Status
CompletedTimeline
Submissions opened
Apr 29, 2026
Submissions closed
Jun 13, 2026 3:59 AM CUT
Results
Jun 24, 2026
Prizes
- 5 Winners:
- $200
- 15 Runners-up:
- $15
- 10 Honorable Mentions:
- $5
Status
CompletedTimeline
Submissions opened
Apr 29, 2026
Submissions closed
Jun 13, 2026 3:59 AM CUT
Results
Jun 24, 2026
About this challenge
The Prompt
Write a horror story inspired by a nightmare, ending with the character waking up in an unexpected place.
Nightmares rarely follow logic, but they leave a clear impression. This challenge asks you to carry that feeling onto the page.
Write a horror story inspired by a nightmare and let the details shift or distort explanation, but keep the experience grounded in what the character perceives.
The story should end with the character waking up somewhere unexpected. Consider what that shift reveals. Is it an escape, a continuation, or something more unsettling than the dream itself?
Thank you for the suggestion Amanda Starks, if you have an idea for a challenge prompt drop it in the comment section here.
In order for your submission to qualify, it must be:
- Between 600 and 3000 words.
- Submitted to the Horror community. Your story will be disqualified if it is submitted to any other community.
- Submitted before June 12, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST.
- Your work must be original and unpublished.
The Prizes
- 5 Winners: $200 each
- 15 Runners-up: $15 each
- 10 Honorable Mentions: $5 each
How to enter
For your story to be eligible, it must be between 600 and 3000 words and adhere to our Community Guidelines.
Stories published on Vocal and entered into the Challenge up until June 12, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST will be entered for consideration. Official Rules for the Challenge can be found here.
The Out of the Dream Challenge is exclusive to Vocal+ members. To learn more and upgrade to Vocal+, visit https://vocal.media/vocal-plus.
To be eligible to win, you must be over the age of 13 and reside in a country where Stripe is available at the time of entry. A complete list of countries where Stripe is available can be found here—winners will need a Stripe account created and connected to receive prizes. Entrants located outside of these countries will not be eligible to win.
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Challenge resources
Out of Season Challenge Winners
We’re trying something new with our challenge awards structure. Starting with Out of Season , each challenge will recognize one grand prize , four winners , and ten honorable mentions . That’s 15 stories to celebrate, with a little extra love for the top pick. For this challenge, the strongest stories made the timing matter. Something showing up early or returning when it shouldn’t changed what people did, what they assumed, or how they saw each other. There was humor in trying to carry on as usual, and sadness in realizing why the usual schedule no longer worked. Sometimes the wrong time of year turned out to be just when someone needed it.
By Vocal Curation Team4 days ago in Resources
Already Here Challenge Winners
Useful tools can change your life before you think to question them. That’s really what made these Already Here entries interesting. Writers looked past the initial “how is this possible?” and paid attention to how quickly something remarkable becomes part of the routine. The strongest pieces didn’t ask us to choose between being impressed and being uneasy. They understood why people welcome these changes, then noticed what else shifts once we get used to them.
By Vocal Curation Team18 days ago in Resources
Last Call Challenge Winners
There were plenty of ringing phones and closing bars in Last Call , but the prompt took us to some unexpected places too. A fading birdsong, a goodbye that doesn't quite get finished, and people who don't suddenly become better versions of themselves just because time is running out. Some held on, some let go, and some missed their chance entirely. That's what made these stories stick.
By Vocal Curation Team25 days ago in Resources
