Home to Writers, Readers, and Pros.
Founder's Prize & Monthly Lodgers' Choice
Short Story & Poetry Contests
​​​​For too long, the literary world has felt divided.
Writers create in isolation.
Readers consume without influence.
Industry decides what rises.
​
At The Book Lodge, contests aren’t decided behind closed doors. Each month, our community helps surface the stories that truly resonate. Every Lodger receives three nomination stars to award the work that moves them most—giving readers a voice in what rises and what gets seen.
​
Alongside community selection, Founder’s Choice honors standout pieces with additional recognition. Monthly themes, cash prizes, and spotlight placement in the Fireside Lounge and Lodge Library create real opportunities for emerging writers to be discovered.​
​​
​​​May 1st-29th:
The Inaugural Founder's Prize Writing Contest Headlines the Revolution
​
Theme: Light in the Darkness
You have a story.
(And yes — it deserves to be heard.)
This theme invites writers to explore hope that survives, courage that steadies, revelation after doubt, resilience in quiet places — the spark that refuses to go out when the world grows dim.
​
Interpret it broadly.
Interpret it boldly.
​
We are looking for work that stirs something deep inside.
​
Who May Enter?
This contest is open to everyone with a story to tell.
Emerging writers.
Established voices.
Students.
Professionals.
No MFA required.
No publishing history required.
This is a literary ecosystem — not a gate.
How It Works
During the competition window, Lodgers may feature:
• One Short Story
• One Poem
in their Guest Room under the theme Light in the Darkness.
Each piece becomes part of the Lodge — read, discussed, nominated.
Because here, readers are not passive.
They participate.
How Community Nominations Work
Each registered Lodger receives three nomination stars per month.
Readers award their stars to the pieces that move them most.
The most-nominated works in each category advance to final consideration.
​
From those finalists:
• Founder’s Prize winners are selected from the most nominated by the Founder.
• Lodgers’ Choice winners are determined entirely by community nominations.
​
Discernment and voice.
Together.
​
Prizes:
​
Short Story
Founder’s Prize — $100
Lodgers’ Choice — $100
​
Poetry
Founder’s Prize — $100
Lodgers’ Choice — $100
​
Emerging Writer (Ages 13–17)
Emerging Voice Feature — $100
​
All writers are eligible for our top awards.
Each month, we also recognize an Emerging Writer, honoring a young voice whose work shows exceptional promise.
Recognition & Feature
All winners and finalists will receive:
• A month-long profile feature in The Fireside Lounge
• Consideration for inclusion of the piece in The Book Lodge Library
• Consideration for future print publication
​
Important Dates
Submissions Open: 5/1/26
Deadline: 5/29/26
Winners Announced: 6/1/26
​
Join the Lodge. Submit Your Work. Make Your Voice Heard.
​
Community voting is open to registered Lodgers.
New Lodgers receive a seven-day complimentary trial.
Read. Nominate. Influence.
​
This is where stories are discovered.
Like the iconic Shakespeare & Company in Paris, we’re building a place where writers create, readers explore, and stories find their way into the hands of those who are meant to read them.
​
Ready to discover—and be discovered?
The Book Lodge is waiting for you.
​
Together, let's BOOK BETTER.