December 2026 Themed Contest


This December, the Kaidankai is hosting a contest around the theme: What Walks With Us in the Dark Days of Winter? The winner will be nominated for a Pushcart Prize, and there will be small gifts for the runners up. Spread the word, submit a story, and listen to the podcast in December to hear them all.

• Title: What Walks With Us in the Dark Days of Winter?*
• Focus: Ghosts, spirits, or supernatural presence (open to interpretation)
• Themes: The story should feel rooted in winter, endings, darkness, stillness, the equinox, etc.  For many, winter is in December, a month of holidays from different cultures, so although no holiday focus is required, if you do choose a holiday, it can be any one. 
• Length: 1000-2500 words (This is a hard limit. No exceptions.)
• Original Work Only (No reprints for the contest.)
• Deadline: October 15 (EST). Feel free to submit at any time before the deadline.

Prize: Pushcart Prize nomination for winner, small gifts for three runners-up.

To submit:
1) Check that there is a supernatural element to your story.
2) The subject line must read: December contest submission
3) Put your story in the body of the email. No attachments.
4) Include a bio of 100 words or fewer in the body of the email. You can include your social media links.
5) Send to [email protected]

Simultaneous submissions are okay. Please let me know immediately if you're accepted elsewhere.

No multiple entries, please. Send your best one.

* In the southern hemisphere, December falls in the summer months. I don't want to exclude your environments and cultures, so feel free to explore this theme creatively.

For general submissions

It's easy. Just paste your story into the body of an email.
Send it to [email protected].

There's basically one requirement: your story must include ghosts or the supernatural.

What we are looking for:
Any fiction story that includes ghosts or the supernatural.
Any genre is ok as long as your story includes ghosts or the supernatural.
Reprints are ok as long as your story includes ghosts or the supernatural. 

Did I mention that I ONLY read stories on the podcast that include ghosts or the supernatural? So please don't send me stories that don't have ghosts or the supernatural. 

Simultaneous submissions are ok, just let me know if your story was selected by another outlet.
The preferred word count is 1000 to 3000 words, but I'l consider stories outside that word count. 

There is no payment for stories that are selected. I would like to pay. I really would. And maybe someday...but right now, if your story is read on the podcast, you get my undying appreciation for sharing your story and accolades from the kaidankai listeners.

If you submit to the Kaidankai podcast, you will automatically be added to the mailing list. 

By submitting your story, you will be added to the Kaidankai newsletter for upcoming special projects, contests, and the monthly schedule.