Contest Rules

Last updated October 7, 2026

In short: entry is free; you keep every right to your story; judges read entries without names; winners get a prize such as a free year of the Writer plan. Each contest's page adds its own theme, dates and limits.

1. Who runs the contests

Burning Tree Press is operated by Keith B. Phillips ("we", "us"). Questions: hello@burningtreepress.com. These rules apply to every contest listed on our contests page, together with that contest's own details (theme, dates, eligibility, word limit and prize). If they differ, the contest's own details win.

2. Free to enter

There is no entry fee and no purchase is necessary; a free Burning Tree Press account is enough. Paying for a plan does not improve your chances.

3. Who can enter

Anyone with an approved Burning Tree Press account who meets our Terms. To receive a prize, you must be 18 or older and live in the United States.
One entry per person per contest. Judges, and their immediate family and household, can't enter a contest they judge.

4. Your entry

You enter a story you have published with us by choosing Enter contest in the publisher. It must be your own original work and must follow our Content Policy.
The contest page says whether entries must be new (first published after the contest opens) and whether there's a word limit.
You can withdraw while the contest is open. Once judging starts, entries can't be changed or withdrawn, except by unpublishing or deleting the story, which removes it from the contest.

5. Your rights

You keep all rights to your story. Entering only lets us show your story's title, author name, cover and link on the contest page, in the library and in announcements about the contest, and lets the judges read it. We don't claim any other use of your work.

6. Judging

Judges chosen by us read every entry without seeing the writer's name and score it on its writing, originality, and fit with the theme. We decide the places from the judges' scores; our decision is final. We may disqualify an entry that breaks these rules or our Content Policy, and we may decide not to award a place if there are too few entries.

7. Prizes and announcements

Prizes are described on each contest's page, for example one year of the Writer plan, added to the winner's account. Prizes have no cash value, can't be transferred, and aren't exchanged for money.
We announce results on the contest page and by email to the winners. Winning stories show their award in the library if the writer has listed them.
Winners are responsible for any taxes on their prize.

8. Changes

If something outside our control affects a contest, we may change its dates or cancel it, and we'll say so on its page.