January 2026 Microfic Contest - Archive

[RedMage]

Happy New Year, All! This is the first contest of the 2026! Let's have a good one!

Prompt: Archive

First and most important rule: Word count 100 maximum

Entry deadline: Your midnight, Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Rules:
1) Think of a story idea that uses the prompt mentioned above and includes speculative fiction elements (fantasy, science fiction, horror elements).
2) Write the story OR create artwork, video, or audio entries (or additions/enhancements). Multimedia entries are welcome!
3) Edit the story or other entry.
4) Post the story or other entry in the Stories Sub-forum with a heading that makes the thread easy to find: Eg: "Oct 2025 Micro Fiction Contest: Title of Story".
5) Come back here to let us know that you posted your entry and provide a link to that entry (which makes it easier for me to find your story when it comes time to vote).
6) Read/review the other entries and, if you want to, offer comments in the story thread that help the creator of that entry know what you think worked and what you think didn't work quite as well.
7) Vote when the voting poll goes up -- but you cannot vote for your own entry.
8) People who have not entered the contest with a story or other entry can also vote in the contest and this is highly encouraged!
9) In the event of a tie, the first tied contestant to claim the win (or withdraw from contention) will be judged the winner (or the runner up)!
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The winner of the contest will run the next micro-fiction contest. Good luck!

 

[SilverDagger]

Hi!
This sounds interesting, but is there an error with the deadline?

 

[Ropie]

is there an error with the deadline?

No, it's just one of the challenges Red Mage likes to impose to make things a bit more interesting - set the deadline before the competition announcement, and see how we overcome (or overcame) it

 

[RedMage]

Okay, now it says January 27th. Though, I'm surprised you guys didn't see the year, as that put the deadline into the future. lol

 

[Ropie]

Ha - I didn't check properly and just assumed you'd left it as 2025! It is a good idea though

 

[SilverDagger]

I guess the challenge would have been to patiently wait then. But 100 words and one month sounds more reasonable

 

[RedMage]

So @SilverDagger and @Ropie, can I count on you both to submit stories for this contest?

 

[SilverDagger]

I'll give it a try Already playing around with ideas.

 

[RedMage]

Excellent! I look forward to reading your story!

 

[RedMage]

@SilverDagger @Ropie, are either of you planning to enter this contest? It closes Tuesday

I have a story, but I don't want to be the only one.

 

[SilverDagger]

@SilverDagger @Ropie, are either of you planning to enter this contest? It closes Tuesday

I have a story, but I don't want to be the only one.

I have a story! Just one more question. Do I actually need to use the word archive?

 

[RedMage]

It needs to follow the theme, but I'll say it's okay for this contest (I'm the contest runner )

 

[SilverDagger]

My story is up and can be found here.

 

[RedMage]

My story is up and can be found here.

Wonderful! Thanks SilverDagger!

And here's my story: Readers


Will anyone else be getting in on this? @Ropie @kennychaffin @Fung Koo. You still have a few hours to submit. We could even extend the contest a bit if you need another day. Just let us know!

If we don't hear back from you, then we'll post the voting thread in about 24 hours.

 

[RedMage]

Sorry sorry sorry. I waited two extra days to post the Voting Thread instead of the one. All I can say is that I've been sick all week.

Here's the link to the Voting Thread.