The Inaugural Riddle Fence Creative Non-Fiction Contest
$1000 GRAND PRIZE & PUBLICATION IN RF #58
DEADLINE: January 31, 2026
2026 Guest Judge: OMAR EL AKKAD, author of One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This
All contests are open to Canadian residents only.
ENTRY FEE: $29. All fees are in Canadian dollars and include a one-year subscription to Riddle Fence.
Free entry! for BIPOC contest submissions. Just self-identify upon entry.
Judging for the contest is blind. Do not identify yourself on your actual submission.
Parameters:
One submission is one essay, maximum 3000 words.
Please submit your work as a .doc or .docx file.
Double space.
Make sure the title, word count, and page number appear on every page of your submission.
Submissions that don’t conform to these requirements will be disqualified.
General contest rules:
An entry consists of one submission. Multiple entries are allowed; however, each entry must be accompanied by its own entry fee.
Please note: Entries must be original and unpublished elsewhere. No simultaneous submissions and no previously published (or accepted for publication) submissions. Work that is written, co-written, created, or assisted by AI is not eligible.
Judging for the contest is blind. Do not identify yourself on your actual submission. Please note that any submissions that include name identification will be disqualified, and fees will not be refunded.
Every paid entry fee gets a free subscription. Want to give your contest subscription as a gift to someone? No problem — please indicate the intended address on your form.
Contest winners and honourable mentions will be contacted directly by email. Other entrants are not directly contacted about the results.
Winners and honourable mentions will be published in Riddle Fence #58.
