NYC Midnight 500-Word Short Story Competition
In 2025, I got through to the second round of the NYC Midnight 500-Word Short Story Competition - a prestigious contest that attracts thousands of writers from around the world.
​
Narrowed down from 3,478 to 880 for the second round, I was very proud to have reached this far. Unfortunately I did not make the top 4 of my group in order to progress to the final, but was an honourable mention in my group along with three others.
​
As with the other two challenges, writers were placed into random groups and given a unique assignment consisting of one genre, one action, and one specific object, all of which had to be woven into an original script under tight deadlines.
​
Below, you’ll find the two scripts I submitted, alongside the briefs I was assigned for each round and the feedback I received!
Round 1
Over Christmas dinner, Maggie and Harold share their love and memories, ensuring their holiday shines as brightly as it once did.
Word Count: 500
Genre: Romance
Action: Snoring
Object: Wreath
Deadline: 48 Hours
"Oh my goodness, this was a heartfelt, poignant story. I thought your premise was creative and compelling. This is a sweet, heart-warming story, and it shows love as loyalty and companionship, rather than just romance, which is powerful. The fact that there seemed to still be a flicker of the man there was delightful, although heart-breaking. This was a beautifully written story."
​
- NYC Midnight Judges
Round 2
On a perilous climb, Ada must make an unthinkable choice between her safety and that of her partner.
Word Count: 500
Genre: Action Adventure
Action: Sharpening
Object: Blue Jeans
Deadline: 3 Days
"This story is so tense and action packed! I love the twist in the end, something I was absolutely not expecting! You've done a great job of subverting readers' expectations. The writer has managed to imbue this piece with a real sense of narrative tension which suffuses the page and forces us onward, waiting anxiously to see what will happen and what choice the protagonist will make."
​
-NYC Midnight Judges