Write a story involving Dear Death, and a star. $3000 grand prize

It’s coming. The final heartbeat, the last exhale—life’s conclusion penned by an unseen hand. If you could write back, would you greet Death like an old friend, or face it as a foe to be conquered?

The Reaper, the Fates, the Shinigami. Many people have a Death, and speak to it personally. Prayers, eulogies, private journals. But the world writes letters too, in the crumbling ruins of castles and the skeletons of forgotten cars. Pages yellow, petals drop, and tombstones crumble. There is a beauty, an art in letting go. The final beep of a monitor, the last note of life’s song. What do you say as the end draws near? Every tick of the clock brings you closer and the ink is not yet dry. The grave is not as cold as the goodbye that goes unsaid. From the ancients, to the modern, to our unknown descendants, traditions change but one thing remains inevitable. Footsteps echo closer. As the candles flicker out one by one, what words will you choose, and what happens when something answers?

This contest invites you to explore Dear Death, whatever that means to you. Fantasy, contemporary, romance, crime. All genres are welcome.

Submissions close November 30th at 11:59 pm EST. Contest only open to new writers.

We are keen to encourage quality, so suggest writers to check their stories before submitting using Prowritingaid. They have free and paid versions and are the best writing software we know to help improve grammar, readability and check for repetition, ‘sticky’ sentences and suggest alternatives.