LeafminesClosed
Awakenings
Created by: |Judged by: Contest creator
Submissions close July 1st, 2026 (11:59PM PST)
To protect author publication rights, entries in this contest are only visible to logged-in users.
A note from Leafmines
Congrats to the winners! And a huge Thank You to all participants. The stories you submitted made for an incredible launch of our site!
The universe is dark until there is light.
The machine is cold until the first spark.
The hero is ordinary until power stirs within.
For the launch of Leafmines, we are looking for stories of Awakening. We want the moment the impossible becomes real. Whether it's a starship AI achieving sentience, a forgotten god opening its eyes in a modern city, or a rebellion finding its voice in a dystopian wasteland, give us a story of a new beginning.
The machine is cold until the first spark.
The hero is ordinary until power stirs within.
For the launch of Leafmines, we are looking for stories of Awakening. We want the moment the impossible becomes real. Whether it's a starship AI achieving sentience, a forgotten god opening its eyes in a modern city, or a rebellion finding its voice in a dystopian wasteland, give us a story of a new beginning.
Guidelines
Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy (All sub-genres).
Word Count: 500 – 2,000 words.
Prompt: Your story must center on a beginning, a launch, or a literal or metaphorical "awakening."
Submissions must be original, unpublished work not previously published in any form, including personal blogs, social media, or other contest platforms. AI-generated or AI-assisted text is strictly prohibited.
All rights remain with the author. Contest entries are visible only to logged-in users to protect first publication rights.
Word Count: 500 – 2,000 words.
Prompt: Your story must center on a beginning, a launch, or a literal or metaphorical "awakening."
Submissions must be original, unpublished work not previously published in any form, including personal blogs, social media, or other contest platforms. AI-generated or AI-assisted text is strictly prohibited.
All rights remain with the author. Contest entries are visible only to logged-in users to protect first publication rights.
Prizes
1st Place: $100 and Leafmines premium for life.
2nd Place: $50 and Leafmines premium for life.
3rd Place: $25 and Leafmines premium for life.
2nd Place: $50 and Leafmines premium for life.
3rd Place: $25 and Leafmines premium for life.
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