The Scariest Thing that ALMOST Happened to You!

Have you ever thought something nasty was behind a bush, but it turned out to be the neighbor's cat?  Have you ever heard a bump outside your window and it turned out to be only a tree limb?  Think back to a time when something REALLY scared you, and made your imagination run wild... something that turned out to be harmless.  Bring us along with you on your journey of fear... then let us down easy.  True stories only. 

Submit as many entries as you'd like, but each entry must be by separate email and accompanied by separate payment. Winning entry will be judged on creativity and "fictional quality."

First Place wins:

• $25 cash

• Publication in Writer Online.

Second and third place will win writing software and publication in Writer Online.

Click here to see winners of last issue's First lines contest.

Deadline Thursday, October 14, 2004 12pm EST, USA

No submissions accepted after deadline.
NOTE: We'll send a single confirmation of receipt of your payment.
WOL can't be responsible for communication problems or missing emails. Entrants should use the "confirm receipt" option in their email program. WOL cannot refund entry fees for entries that are not accompanied by a submission.

Pay the contest fee, then email your submission to: contests@writeronline.us

After paying your entry fee, please make sure you send in your submission. Write the title at the top. Please put your full name, postal address and email address at the bottom. This provides WOL with identifying information.

NOTE: If you do not receive notification that your submission was received, please send it in to the email address listed below again. (We often receive entry fees without entries.)

Click here to make a credit card payment

Contest fee : $5.00 if paying by credit card; $7.00 if paying by U.S. check; $12.00 if paying by non-U.S. check.

If paying by check, please make out in the correct amount (!) and send to:

Mary Anne Donovan
468 Hinchey Rd.
Rochester, NY 14624

With receipt of payment, all Writer Online contest entrants receive a coupon for a $10.00 discount on purchase of the Writer's Software Companion .

Contest Rules

Submit entries by email to contests@writeronline.us. (No attached documents, please). Winners will be announced in our next issue.

Please include your name and mailing address in your email. Prizes and publication offered only to entrants who have are Writer Online subscribers and who have paid their entry fee.

1) Subscribe to Writer Online by entering your email address here:

Subscriber page

By submitting, the entrant certifies that the work is original. Please do not write follow-up memos regarding the status of your submission.

Writer Online reserves the right to publish and archive any winning contest entry without further notice to the writer. Cash awards will be made by check and mailed within 30 days of the publication of the winning entry.