⏳ Weekly Writing Contest | November 17: Small Pleasures

Submit your entry by Friday November 22, 5pm GMT / 12pm ET / 9am PT (+ 24-Hour Writing Sprint & Contest!)

Artwork by Emma Winterschladen

Welcome to the Weekly Writers' Hour Contest!

This week’s prompt invites you to capture the essence of a fleeting moment of joy.

*PLUS* Our friends at Scrivener are adding their writing software to the first place winning prize bundle. We’re also holding a free, 24-Hour Writing Sprint this week—and you’re invited! Read more below.

Prompt: Small Pleasures

Inspired by Les Petits Pleasures by Rachel Khoo, write about a small joy, real or imagined—like the smell of fresh herbs, the first sip of coffee in the morning, or watching birds at a feeder. Describe it in rich sensory detail.

Unpublished pieces of 500 words or less in any genre are eligible for this contest.

Submissions are due by Friday, November 22nd at 5pm GMT / 12pm ET / 9am PT

Keep reading below for more information on prizes and FAQs – plus an introduction to this week’s guest judge,

Rachel Khoo

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Happy writing!
The Writers’ Hour Magazine Team

Meet Our Guest Judge:

Rachel Khoo

Rachel Khoo is a renowned food writer and best-selling cookbook author of six books translated into fourteen languages, and has graced international screens as the host of various cooking shows, airing on prestigious networks like the BBC, the Food Network, and Netflix.

Over the years, Rachel’s globally acclaimed recipes have garnered her a passionate following of food lovers who trust her to bring not only joy, but satisfyingly successful cooking adventures into their homes.

Rachel writes Les Petits Pleasures on Substack, new and exclusive content from one of the world’s most celebrated chefs – including extended videos with Rachel’s top-notch tips for mastering home-cooking projects.

A Note from our Guest Judge, Rachel Khoo

Here are four writing tips for the Small Pleasures prompt:

• Start with a Clear Mind. Begin by taking five minutes to clear your mind: sit quietly, take a few deep breaths, and, if you’re comfortable with it, meditate.

• Engage the Senses. Bring your chosen pleasure to life by tapping into all five senses—sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste. Instead of simply describing a fresh cup of coffee, explore its warmth in your hands, the rich aroma that fills the room, and the comforting taste of the first sip.

• Focus on a Specific Moment. Zoom in on a single, small moment to make it feel impactful. Describe exactly what makes it special and why it stands out, such as the way the morning light hits a freshly baked loaf of bread or the sound of birds in a quiet garden.

• Reflect on the Emotional Impact. After describing the moment, take a step back and consider why it matters. How does this small pleasure add joy, calm, or reflection to your day? Maybe the smell of fresh herbs reminds you of childhood or brings a sense of calm.

How to Submit:

• Submissions should be made through our online submission platform, Submittable, and formatted as a Word Doc.

• For more details, please read the full Contest Guidelines.

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The winning entries will receive:

First Prize:

• $100 USD (£75 GBP)

• Publication in Writers’ Hour Magazine

• 3-months of London Writers’ Salon Silver Membership (£79 value)

• *NEW* Scrivener Writing Software (£55 value)

• Commemorative Writers’ Hour trophy mug

Second Prize:

• Publication in Writers’ Hour Magazine

• 1-month of London Writers’ Salon Silver Membership (£29 value)

Third Prize:

• Publication in Writers’ Hour Magazine

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FAQs:

• What genres can I write in?
  All genres - fiction, nonfiction, poetry, etc - are welcome.

• Is there a word limit?
  Your piece must be 500 words or less. Pieces that exceed this will not be considered. There is no minimum word limit.

• Do I need to submit in a specific format?
  Please follow the instructions outlined in the Contest Guidelines.

• When is the deadline to submit?
  Submissions are due by Friday, November 22 at 5pm GMT / 12pm ET / 9am PT. Submissions received outside this window will not be considered.

• When will the winner be announced?
  The winner will be contacted via Submittable, and the winning entry will be published in Writers’ Hour Magazine by Saturday, December 7th.

• Can I submit a piece I’ve already published?
  Only previously unpublished pieces are eligible for this contest. (Published means anything that has already been made publicly available in print or online.)

• Is there a fee to submit?
  No, there is no fee to submit. However you must be subscribed to Writers’ Hour Magazine in order for your submission to be considered.

Congratulations to winners of Prompt A Knock at the Door!

We are thrilled to share the contest results for the week of October 27. Writers were asked to use the horror trope of a knock at the door as a jumping-off point for a new piece of writing.

• First Place: This Final Tether by

  Heather Young

• Second Place: An Appointment by Corinna Tiele

• Third Place: One Late Night in Moscow by Eric Christ

Congratulations to the winners, and thank you to everyone who participated. It’s a pleasure to share these pieces with you, and we can’t wait to see what you create in the next contest!

PS - Write with us

Come work on your submission at Writers' Hour—our daily silent writing sprints—where writers from around the world come together to work on their projects. It’s the perfect environment to focus, share space with other writers, and make progress on your contest entry.

PPS - ✍️🌏 24-Hour Writing Sprint (Nov 22-23) + Bonus Contest

On November 22nd, we're hosting a 24-Hour Writing Sprint. You're invited!

​Whether you need to hit a deadline before the holiday season, give your NaNoWriMo book a boost, or kickstart a new project before the end of the year...do it with a supportive community of writers from around the world.

​Join us for 1, 2, or all 24 hours if you dare. RSVP here.

Alongside the 24-Hour Writing Sprint, keep at eye out a bonus 24-Hour Writing Contest here at Writers’ Hour Magazine. Don’t miss it!