THE HEMLOCK JOURNAL in collaboration with REMINGTON REVIEW is excited to announce FICTION CONTEST, 2025!  

Writers win not only cash prizes, but the rare honour of dual publication in both journals.

Christmas Discount: Entry Fee $4 only ( Vaid till 31st December 12 AM EST)

⫸ Contest Dates:

Opens: 15 November, 2025

Closes: 15 January, 2026 (31st Jan after the extension of Deadline)

⫸ Theme: Call of the Wild 

Send us stories that celebrate your bond with nature — nature fiction, environmental fiction, climate fiction, eco-fiction, apocalyptic fiction, or any tale that is rooted in your love or admiration for nature and wilderness

Submission Guidelines

1. The theme for this contest is Call of the Wild.
2. Submit original works of fiction between 1000–3000 words. Your story must engage meaningfully with the theme.
3. Submission fee:  ₹350 ($5) per entry.
4. Each contributor may submit up to 2 pieces (fee applies per submission).
5. Prizes worth $200 will be awarded:

•     1st Prize: $100 + Publication + Author Interview
•     2nd Prize: $50 + Publication + Author Interview
•     3rd Prize: $30 + Publication + Author Interview
•     4th to 7th Place: Refund of the submission fee + Publication + Author Interview
• Top 20 entries will appear in a special print issue by The Hemlock Journal and a digital issue by Remington Review.

6. Works containing obscenity, excessive profanity, graphic violence, or AI-generated content will be rejected.
7. All submissions must be typed in Times New Roman or Georgia, 12 pt, single spacing, and submitted in one document.
8. Judging will be anonymous, fair, and unbiased. Winners will be announced on social media pages, blogs and via emails. 

Let nature speak through your words! Submit your work using the link below.

Q&A

Que : My story is set in Natural settings. However, do not preach anything about how to protect Nature. Can I still submit?

Ans: Yes! Any story that is set in natural settings, whether beautiful, romantic or haunting, is qualified to be submitted for the contest, regardless of the central message/core idea of the story. Stories must deal with the theme in some way.

Que. : I have earlier submitted a story on the similar theme to The Hemlock Journal and the story was not accepted for the publication. Can I still submit?

Ans: Absolutely Yes! The judging criteria for regular submissions and contest submissions are not same. If your story has been rejected by The Hemlock Journal or any other journal earlier and you think it’s right fit for the theme, you are welcome to submit.

Que : My story is longer than 3,000 words or shorter than 1,000 words. Can I submit?

Ans : Please pitch your story at submissions.thehemlock@gmail.com. Send your query. We’ll let you know what would be the best.

Que : I am not financially capable of paying the Fee. Can I have a discount on the Entry Fee?

Ans : Send your concerns to submisisons.thehemlock@gmail.com

 

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Submissions opens 15 November, 2025.