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Last updated August 18, 2026

Fan Fiction Contest

Have a story you've been dying to share? Show us what you've got!

Rules

  • Stories must be based on characters and settings from any anime, manga, Japanese drama, Japanese video game, or Japanese musical group.
    • Stories based on cartoons, books, movies, or video games from other areas of the world may also be allowed as long as elements from Japanese culture are included. Two examples of this would be Avatar: The Last Airbender or Teen Titans, both of which have very heavy Japanese influences but were created in the United States. It will be at the discretion of the judges to decide whether an entry is eligible under these guidelines.
    • Stories based on cartoons, books, or movies from other parts of East Asia may also be allowed. Email fan.fiction@kumoricon.org with inquiries.
  • Crossovers are allowed.
  • No completely original fiction will be accepted. Entries must be fan fiction.
  • Original characters are allowed but must be within the setting of the chosen series/game/band and interacting with other fandom characters.
  • Only completed works are allowed to be entered.
  • Entries must be written by the person submitting them. No submissions will be accepted by proxy. All instances of plagiarism will result in disqualification from the contest and any future Fan Fiction Contests by Kumoricon. Co-written pieces are accepted, providing all authors agree.
  • You must give a rating to your entry based on the FictionRatings system. Materials that are clearly incorrectly rated will be disqualified (such as labeling an M as a K+ for example).
  • Each contestant can enter a maximum of five (5) different stories each year.
  • Winning entries from any previous Kumoricon Fan Fiction Contest are not eligible.
  • AI created content, and/or AI assisted content is not allowed.

Judging criteria include:

  • Readability—this is things like spelling errors, grammatical errors, continuity errors, plot holes, out of character behavior, etc. (Please have someone else beta* your entry—do not trust your autocorrect.)
    • *Beta reader—someone who reads your story before submission or publication and gives their input.
  • Plot (if it has one).
  • Engaging characters.
  • Dialogue that enhances and supports the story.
  • The Judges’ emotional response.

Judging is a very subjective task. We strive to bring in judges with a wide variety of tastes and fandoms to give all contestants a fair chance.

Genre examples

  • Drama
  • Action
  • Humor
  • Romance
  • Slice of Life
  • Space Opera
  • Western
  • Discord Prompts

Format type examples

  • Poetry or haiku
  • Drabbles
  • One-shot
  • Script
  • Multi-chapter
  • Novella (17,500—50,000 words)
  • Novel (50,000 words or more)

How to enter

  • Use the form below to submit digital files. Please make a separate submission for each entry.
    • Entries should be single-spaced with a line break between each paragraph.
    • Please put the title of your work on the first page but do not include your name if you want to be judged blind.
    • A summary of, or a link to a wiki about, the original source material is required. This is especially important if there is a backstory that the reader must know to truly understand the story. The judges may not be familiar with your fandom.
  • Winners will be officially announced during Closing Ceremonies but will also be announced during the Fan Fiction Contest Feedback Panel.
  • If you are a winner, your prize will be announced at the Feedback Panel, with prizes given out immediately after. If you cannot attend, accommodations can be considered. Just check the boxes in the form that you will not be able to attend and the Fan Fiction team will reach out to you.
  • If you would like feedback or to find out if you won prior to Closing Ceremonies, please attend the Fan Fiction Contest Feedback panel.
    • (See the official Kumoricon schedule (once released) for the time and location of the panel.)
    • Feedback will be given out individually at the front of the room, after announcing the winners, to those who would like it.
    • Feedback can also be emailed to contestants after the convention as well.

Deadline

Novel entries (more than 45,000 words) must be received online by 11:59pm on Friday, October 10, 2026.

Novella entries (15,500–45,000) must be received online by 11:59pm on Friday, October 17, 2026.

All other entries must be received online by 11:59pm on Friday, October 30, 2026.

Contact

Please email fan.fiction@kumoricon.org for any questions.

Check out our #fan-fiction channel on the Kumoricon Discord server.