Frequently Asked Questions
You have a question? Find the answer and get details on rules, submissions, prizes, and more in our comprehensive FAQ section.
Table of Contents
- What is Fabuly?
- Is it free to enter the Fabuly Writer’s Challenge?
- What is the word limit for the Fabuly Writer’s Challenge?
- Is there a theme for the Fabuly Writer’s Challenge?
- Can I submit a poem?
- Is there a minimum age to enter?
- What is the last date for entries?
- Can I submit a fanfiction for the challenge?
- Can I submit a story in any language?
- Do I need to be an experienced writer to enter?
- Can I still participate in the contest if my country is not part of the SWIFT network?
- Can I use a pseudonym to submit my story?
- How will the stories be judged?
- Who are the Judges?
- Does my short story have to be fiction?
- Where do I submit my story?
- Are there any formatting restrictions or guidelines?
- Can I submit the work I entered in the Fabuly Writer’s Challenge elsewhere while I await the results?
- Who owns the copyright if I don’t win the Fabuly Writers Challenge?
- Who owns the copyright if I win the Fabuly Writers Challenge?
- What is the prize money for the Fabuly Writer’s Challenge?
- Will my story be published?
- Will my story be made into an audiobook?
- When will the semi-finalists be announced?
- When will the finalists be announced?
- When will the winner be announced?
- Will I get paid if my work is published?
- How will I receive my prize amount if I win?
- Will I be contacted if my story isn't selected?
- Will I receive confirmation if my story has been sent to you?
- Can I submit a co-written story for the challenge?
- My friend/relative has written a story. Can I enter it on their behalf?
- Can I use ChatGPT or any other generative AI to write my story?
- Can I be disqualified from the challenge?
- What are the terms and conditions of the Fabuly Writers Challenge?
- Are there previous winners or testimonials I can review?
- Who can I write to if I have more questions?
What is Fabuly?
Fabuly is an app that offers a vast library of high-quality free audiobooks and ebooks, focusing on classic literature. It allows users to read and listen to their favorite classic novels and short stories. To know more, read Fabuly: Who we are?
Back to TopIs it free to enter the Fabuly Writer’s Challenge?
Yes, there is no entry fee. You can participate directly by filling the form. See our application page.
Back to TopWhat is the word limit for the Fabuly Writer’s Challenge?
The story should be up to 2,000 words.
Back to TopIs there a theme for the Fabuly Writer’s Challenge?
Yes, all short stories submitted for this competition must follow the theme of "An Unexpected Encounter" under 2,000 words written in the English language. For inspirations, you can go through the introduction here.
Back to TopCan I submit a poem?
No, this writer’s challenge is limited only to fictional stories under 2,000 words.
Back to TopIs there a minimum age to enter?
You must be 18 years of age by December 15, 2024, to enter the Fabuly Writer’s Challenge. Parents and guardians may not enter a story on behalf of a child under 18.
Back to TopWhat is the last date for entries?
All entries must be submitted no later than December 15, 2024, at 11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time (PST). Additionally, we will only accept the first 200 entries so we advise you to submit your short story as soon as it's ready.
Back to TopCan I submit a fanfiction for the challenge?
No, you cannot submit a fanfiction for the challenge.
Back to TopCan I submit a story in any language?
No, the current edition of the Fabuly Writer’s Challenge only accepts stories written in the English language.
Back to TopDo I need to be an experienced writer to enter?
No. The competition is open to all writers, both published and unpublished, aged 18 and over. However, entries that have been previously submitted, published, or awarded in any other competition are not eligible. This has to be a fresh and original work of the author.
Back to TopCan I still participate in the contest if my country is not part of the SWIFT network?
No, participation is restricted to residents of countries that are members of the SWIFT banking system.
Back to TopCan I use a pseudonym to submit my story?
Writers can submit an entry with a pseudonym, but they must also provide their legal names as a requirement for identification purposes to enter the competition.
Back to TopHow will the stories be judged?
The Contest will be judged in three phases. See the rules page.
Back to TopWho are the Judges?
The jury consists of Christopher Fielden, Erika Krouse and Gwenaël Laurent.
Back to TopDoes my short story have to be fiction?
Yes. The Fabuly Writer’s Challenge is for fiction writing.
Back to TopWhere do I submit my story?
See our application page.
Back to TopAre there any formatting restrictions or guidelines?
All submissions must be in English. Your submission should only contain raw text without any formatting such as bold or italicized text. Please also avoid using images, comic strips, GIFs, etc. Moreover, it is advisable to reduce or altogether avoid the use of dialogue in your short story to ensure its successful adaptation into a generated audiobook (refer to the Evaluation Process section for details).
Back to TopCan I submit the work I entered in the Fabuly Writer’s Challenge elsewhere while I await the results?
No. Entries must remain unpublished and not be entered for other prizes for the duration of the Fabuly Writer’s Challenge. The winner is expected to be announced on March 2nd, 2025.
Back to TopWho owns the copyright if I don’t win the Fabuly Writers Challenge?
If you don’t win the Fabuly Writers Challenge, you retain full copyright to your story. You can freely publish or submit it elsewhere after the contest. Fabuly only has limited rights to use your story during the public voting period if you're a semi-finalist, but those rights expire once the voting ends, unless you proceed to the grand prize stage.
Back to TopWho owns the copyright if I win the Fabuly Writers Challenge?
See the intellectual property section on the rules page.
Back to TopWhat is the prize money for the Fabuly Writer’s Challenge?
See the prize section on the rules page.
Back to TopWill my story be published?
Yes, if you are a semi-finalist, Fabuly may publish your story on the app during the public voting period, which lasts one month. We will also create an audio and cover for your story, but you still own the full rights and can publish it elsewhere after the voting ends unless you move to the grand prize stage.
If you win the grand prize, your story may be published and used in text and audio format within Fabuly's app, and we can keep using it. However, you still keep the rights to your story and can publish it elsewhere.
Back to TopIf you win the grand prize, your story may be published and used in text and audio format within Fabuly's app, and we can keep using it. However, you still keep the rights to your story and can publish it elsewhere.
Will my story be made into an audiobook?
Yes, if you reach the semi-finals, your story will be adapted into an audiobook for the public voting period, which lasts one month. If you win the Grand Prize, your story will be adapted into a professionally narrated audiobook.
Back to TopWhen will the semi-finalists be announced?
The semi-finalists are expected to be announced on the website on January 15th, 2025. You will receive an update by email.
Back to TopWhen will the finalists be announced?
The finalists are expected to be announced on the website on February 15th, 2025. You will receive an update by email.
Back to TopWhen will the winner be announced?
The winner is expected to be announced on the website on March 2nd, 2025. You will receive an update by email.
Back to TopWill I get paid if my work is published?
If your entry is published, you will only be paid if you win the Grand Prize. The Grand Prize winner receives $500.
Back to TopHow will I receive my prize amount if I win?
If you win, the cash prize will be paid via Bank Transfer, PayPal, or another mutually agreed-upon method, as long as you're a resident of a country in the SWIFT network. You'll need to provide valid identification and payment details within 14 days of being notified. If you don't provide the information in time, you may lose the prize. You are also responsible for reporting and paying any taxes related to the prize in your country, as the organizer is not responsible for any tax obligations.
Back to TopWill I be contacted if my story isn't selected?
Yes, you will receive an email if you are or are not selected.
Back to TopWill I receive confirmation if my story has been sent to you?
Yes, you will receive a confirmation via email.
Back to TopCan I submit a co-written story for the challenge?
No, you cannot submit a co-written entry for the challenge. Participants must be the sole writer of the story, as each individual is only allowed to submit one entry, and it must be entirely their own work.
Back to TopMy friend/relative has written a story. Can I enter it on their behalf?
No. All stories must be entered by their writers. Do encourage your friend or relative to enter their story in the Fabuly Writer’s Challenge.
Back to TopCan I use ChatGPT or any other generative AI to write my story?
AI generated text is not authorized for writing the story. "AI" may be used to correct grammar and orthographic mistakes, or to perform research before writing the story.
Back to TopCan I be disqualified from the challenge?
The jury reserves the right to reject any submission that fails to adhere to these guidelines, strays off-topic, contains errors, appears hastily prepared, includes inappropriate or hateful content, or is of questionable quality.
Back to TopWhat are the terms and conditions of the Fabuly Writers Challenge?
You can read find them on the rules page..
Back to TopAre there previous winners or testimonials I can review?
As this is the inaugural edition of the Fabuly Writers Challenge, we don’t have previous winners or testimonials to share just yet. However, we're excited to see the creativity and talent this first round will bring!
Back to TopWho can I write to if I have more questions?
If you have any further questions, feel free to write to us at writers-challenge@fabuly.io.
Back to Top