On the first Monday of every month, three photos are posted at enchantedspark.com/blog. Write a story that includes the three photos in a significant way. Significant is ultimately the judges' opinion, but if you just have a character referencing the object of the photo in an off hand manner, your story will likely be rejected. The more the whole picture is integral to the plot the better. Your story must include all three photos---just one or two of the pics will also end in a rejection. Submit stories by 11:59 pm MST on the 26th of each month. One winner will be chosen, and the story will be posted on the site on the last day of the month. The winner will receive $30 on publication either via paypal or cashier's check.

The winning stories will be posted on here for at least a month. I'd like to keep the stories up for a full year, but after a month, the winner may request that it be removed.

Any genre except horror and erotica is okay, but please keep in mind that the judges are partial to fantasy and science fiction.

Do NOT send us stories like the ones below. It will result in the story being sent to the Seventh Circle of Hell where it will be immersed in Phlegethon.

1. Terrible things happening to children.

2. Rape.

3. Horror.

4. Erotica.

We don't have a problem with well placed swear words, but if you show little ability to use other vocabulary, it will be rejected.

Submission Specifics:

1. Write a story using the three pictures posted for the month in 3000 words or less.

2. Format it single space with a double space between paragraphs.

3. At the top left corner of the first page, put your full name and email address.

4. At the top right corner of the first page, put your word count.

5. Center your title followed by your byline.

6. Submit in RTF format. At this time, I can't guarantee I'll be able to read any other format.

7. If you want to include a cover letter, you really don't need to say much more than “Hi” and “Thanks.”

8. Send submissions by 11:59 pm MST on the 26th of each month to submissions@enchantedspark.com. You should receive an auto response saying that we received your story. If you don't in 24 hours, email melinda@enchantedspark.com.

9. No simultaneous submissions. Don't submit a story to us and some place else at the same time.
10. You may send 2 stories per month as long as they both use all three photographs.
    

Melinda goes through the slush pile and Julie helps with the final decision. Keep in mind it's Julie's photos you're writing about, so make them shine! Good luck! And if your story doesn't get posted here, I hope you can rework it for a different market and submit it there!