2026 Literotica Competitions and Author-Organized Events

[Duleigh]

You know I'll always be there for you Chloe, just checking in to show solidarity.

I need to get started on my Geek Pride entry too...

 

[ChloeTzang]

You know I'll always be there for you Chloe, just checking in to show solidarity.

I need to get started on my Geek Pride entry too...

I think I'll save my Geek Pride story for 2026 now - it'll probably take me that long to get it done. It's only just over 6 months away after all!!!! I think I'll do the Support Thread for it now as well.

I'm going to be way more proactive with my events for 2026 and contact people to solicit stories. The AH by itsef doesn't really have very broad visibility and there are a LOT of LIT writers who never show up here.

 

[ChloeTzang]

And for anyone interested, here's the link to the Archive of author-organized challenges

https://forum.literotica.com/threads/author-organized-challenge-list-archive.1556922/

And this is the Competitions AND the Events

https://www.literotica.com/authors/Literotica/works/stories

 

[Duleigh]

I think I'll save my Geek Pride story for 2026 now - it'll probably take me that long to get it done. It's only just over 6 months away after all!!!! I think I'll do the Support Thread for it now as well.

My last two Geek Pride entries became novels that are doing fairly well. I was stupid this year and promised a third.

 

[ChloeTzang]

My last two Geek Pride entries became novels that are doing fairly well. I was stupid this year and promised a third.

I shall expect nothing less for 2026!!!!!!!

 

[dirk2024]

That March 17th slot is so tempting considering my birthday is the next day...

But short of "Dark romance" which is vague as fuck, I don't have any ideas for a challenge.

Perhaps Romance with a little Erotic Horror thrown in?

 

[Erozetta]

Perhaps Romance with a little Erotic Horror thrown in?

Still not enough of a challenge to be worthy of clogging up the submission pipeline.

 

[Bamagan]

What about using Amazing Stories as a theme?
Data: The original IP was a 1926 magazine devoted to science fiction, one of the first to do so (possibly the first). It was a pulp fiction rag, and stories published in it ran the gamut from silly to serious to scary, but they pretty much all involved 'amazing' and unbelievable things. Steven Spielberg turned it into a TV series for a couple of years in the 1980s, and I believe there was another reboot a few years ago. One particularly memorable episode for me involved a student decapitating his professor, played by Christopher Lloyd, although he came back to class complaining of a sore throat (and made for a fun Easter Egg of sorts in the new season of Wednesday, as Christopher Lloyd plays just the head of one of the teachers). Another that might be apropos for the site is about a couple of ghosts who are horrified when a porn star moves into their haunted house.
Stories in such a challenge could land in almost any category, although most would likely lean toward the less realistic ones (Erotic Horror, Mind Control, Nonhuman, SF/F). Ideally they would feature concepts like mad science, cryptids, aliens, magic artifacts, psychic powers, and other impossible (or at least improbable) things. Other suitable inspirations could come from The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, or pre-Code comic books (before sanitized superbeings became the staple of the genre). Certain noir tales could fit in nicely, if Crime and Punishment doesn't seem like a good match.

 

[WaxPhilosophic]

Born to Run was a one-off. It was on August 25th, 2025 because that was the 50th anniversary of the album's release. If folks want to do a more general music-based challenge, there's no need to keep the August 25th date.

 

[SouthernCrossfire]

I'm sort of disappointed at the end of the Hammered event, but my next Hammered story has languished uncompleted for two events in a row so I can't complain! I'll drop it in the pipeline when (if?) it is ever completed.

Or maybe I can tweak it a bit so it will fit in the Crime and Punishment event...

 

[Rob_Royale]

What about using Amazing Stories as a theme?
Data: The original IP was a 1926 magazine devoted to science fiction, one of the first to do so (possibly the first). It was a pulp fiction rag, and stories published in it ran the gamut from silly to serious to scary, but they pretty much all involved 'amazing' and unbelievable things. Steven Spielberg turned it into a TV series for a couple of years in the 1980s, and I believe there was another reboot a few years ago. One particularly memorable episode for me involved a student decapitating his professor, played by Christopher Lloyd, although he came back to class complaining of a sore throat (and made for a fun Easter Egg of sorts in the new season of Wednesday, as Christopher Lloyd plays just the head of one of the teachers). Another that might be apropos for the site is about a couple of ghosts who are horrified when a porn star moves into their haunted house.
Stories in such a challenge could land in almost any category, although most would likely lean toward the less realistic ones (Erotic Horror, Mind Control, Nonhuman, SF/F). Ideally they would feature concepts like mad science, cryptids, aliens, magic artifacts, psychic powers, and other impossible (or at least improbable) things. Other suitable inspirations could come from The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, or pre-Code comic books (before sanitized superbeings became the staple of the genre). Certain noir tales could fit in nicely, if Crime and Punishment doesn't seem like a good match.

I'd be down for that.

 

[EmilyMiller]

What about using Amazing Stories as a theme?
Data: The original IP was a 1926 magazine devoted to science fiction, one of the first to do so (possibly the first). It was a pulp fiction rag, and stories published in it ran the gamut from silly to serious to scary, but they pretty much all involved 'amazing' and unbelievable things. Steven Spielberg turned it into a TV series for a couple of years in the 1980s, and I believe there was another reboot a few years ago. One particularly memorable episode for me involved a student decapitating his professor, played by Christopher Lloyd, although he came back to class complaining of a sore throat (and made for a fun Easter Egg of sorts in the new season of Wednesday, as Christopher Lloyd plays just the head of one of the teachers). Another that might be apropos for the site is about a couple of ghosts who are horrified when a porn star moves into their haunted house.
Stories in such a challenge could land in almost any category, although most would likely lean toward the less realistic ones (Erotic Horror, Mind Control, Nonhuman, SF/F). Ideally they would feature concepts like mad science, cryptids, aliens, magic artifacts, psychic powers, and other impossible (or at least improbable) things. Other suitable inspirations could come from The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, or pre-Code comic books (before sanitized superbeings became the staple of the genre). Certain noir tales could fit in nicely, if Crime and Punishment doesn't seem like a good match.

1926? Even on Lit that seems like you’d have to be pretty ancient. 99 years ago?

 

[Bamagan]

1926? Even on Lit that seems like you’d have to be pretty ancient. 99 years ago?

A full century by the time the challenge would be running, if attempted. Not sure why that would matter, though. It wouldn't have to be period pieces or whatever, and it's still newer than classic fairy tales, even leaving aside that there are more recent incarnations than the debut magazine to draw inspiration from.

 

[Actingup]

Plunk the event name and concept in here - I planned to take all of this to Laurel in one hit - I have my own new event to replace Hammered that I want to get her okay on, I can include yours as well - that way all Laurell has too deal with is one message that includes everything. So dump it here and I'll include it in the first post.

I think Born to Run was only a one off so we can tenratievly put this in on or around the same date - or take the March 17th date that opened up when Randi advised she won't be doing one in 2026

Good on you, Chloe. I know you're planning to take this to Laurel in one hit, but I've never met a CEO who doesn't like a heads up when somebody's putting some significant effort into caring for a treasured baby, so don't delay too long!

For what it's worth, I'd really like to see a music challenge in there, particularly if it's open enough to connect to a wide audience. The music threads in these forums get a lot of love from people sharing what they're into.

 

[ChloeTzang]

Good on you, Chloe. I know you're planning to take this to Laurel in one hit, but I've never met a CEO who doesn't like a heads up when somebody's putting some significant effort into caring for a treasured baby, so don't delay too long!

Already given Laurel and Manu a heads-up PM and asked for their blessing to put a drfat together for them to look at and review, amend, change, etc etc etc

For what it's worth, I'd really like to see a music challenge in there, particularly if it's open enough to connect to a wide audience. The music threads in these forums get a lot of love from people sharing what they're into.

Music Challenge is in there now, and WaxPhilosophical has asked to include a Hote; Caifornia event as well in December - bit close to Winer Holidays so I will pencil it in and we can ask Laurel

 

[Justplainjeff]

Hi everyone - I was thinking perhaps we could self-organize the author-driven events for 2026 ahead of time and put together an overall calender for Laurel to make it easier for her - she has a lot on her plate so I thought it would be helpful to organize ourselves and put a high level calendar in front of Laurel and save her all the to and from over each individually organized event.

I've gone ahead and done this on my own initiative - Laurel didn't ask me to do this - but I've reached out to everyone who ran or is going to run events in 2025 as almost all of them have been recurring over the last few years +/- a few and received confirmation as to wherther they're continuing or being dropped. (There's a couple of replies outstanding so for now I've left them pencilled in to the schedule)

My idea was list all the Literotica Competitions (known dates and competitions are pretty much fixed) along with the recurring Author-Organized Events - and highlight any changes, as well as Available Date Windows for anyone who wants to organize a new Event.

Available Date Windows - looks to be about 4 windows available for any new events without totally overloading the calendar
- March 17th
- End of June
- Possibly mid-August
- Possibly Mid-November

The Competitions and recurring events that have run annually for the last few years are all listed below - and I have highlighted Available Windows for new Events. If anyone has an event they would like to organize and run, reply below - we would need to run by Laurel and get her okay but if we do it all in one hit, it's going to be easier for Laurel and we'll all have a calendar for 2026 to write to well ahead of time

LITEROTICA: Valentine's Day Competition (February 14th)
Hosted by Duleigh
starts: January 10
closes: February 6
winners announced: February 13

The 750 Word Project 2026 [ OPEN ] (annually since 2019) - CONFIRMED for 2026
organizer: Duleigh
starts: Feb 1st
closes: February 28
challenge date: final anthology list posted on March 1st

Pink Orchid: Story Event for Women-Centric Erotica 2025 [ OPEN ] (annually since 2022) - CONFIRMED FOR 2026
organizer: Omenainen
starts: Feb 1st
closes: February 28
challenge date: final anthology list posted on March 8th (International Women's Day)

[RESERVED - LEGENDS - INVITATIONAL ] - I've reached out to Randi and she has confirmed that she will NOT be running an invitational for March 17th for 2026
"Tainted Love" - Romantic Horror [ OPEN ] - PROPOSED FOR 2026 (subject to Laurel's approval)
organizer: @dirk2024 and @Erozetta
starts:
closes:
challenge date: March 17th

LITEROTICA: April Fool's Competition (April 01)
Hosted by Duleigh
starts: March 02
closes: March 24
winners announced: March 31

On the Job 2025 [ OPEN ] (run annually since 2019) - CONFIRMED FOR 2026
organizer: HeyAll
starts: April 18th
closes: April 24
challenge date: April 25th (all stories go live)

Virtual Literotica Conference 2025 [ OPEN ] - CONFIRMED FOR 2026
organizer: FreyaGersemi
challenge date: final anthology list posted on May 17th
submit your story: April 25th-May 16th (stories submitted & posted)

Geek Pride 2025 [ OPEN ] (run annually since 2018) - CONFIRMED FOR 2026
organizer: ChloeTzang
starts: May 15th
closes: May 24
challenge date: May 25th (all stories go live)

Yay Team! Sex & Sports 2025 [ OPEN ] - CONFIRMED FOR 2026
organizer: @Voyeurkenneth
starts: June 3rd 3rd
closes: June 9th
challenge date: June 10th (all stories go live)

GAP AT END OF JUNE - POTENTIALLY FIT AN EVENT IN HERE

LITEROTICA: National Nude Day Competition (July 14)
Hosted by:
starts: June 13
closes: July 4
winners announced: July 11

Heroism - the Oggbashan Memorial Event 2025 [ OPEN ] - CONFIRMED FOR 2026 - ANNUAL - this event will run annually in perpetuity
organizer: @Rustyoznail - @ChloeTzang
starts: June 13th
closes: July 13th
challenge date: July 14th (all stories go live)

"The Scent of Jasmine Tea - Tales from the Orient" - PROPOSED FOR 2026 (subject to Laurel's approval)
(replaces Hammered - an Ode to Mickey Spillane - any noir stories can go into Crime & Punishment_
organizer: ChloeTzang
challenge date: July 31st (all stories go live)
Submission deadline: July 15th-30th

MUSIC CHALLENGE 2026 [ OPEN ] - "Born to Run" was a one-off for 2025. PROPOSED FOR 2026 - subject to Laurel's approval
organizer: @Trionyx
challenge date: August 25th (all stories go live)
submit your story: August 1st-18th

AI: A New Era 2025 [ OPEN ] (run annually since 2021) - CONFIRMED FOR 2026
organizer: bettiezyx
starts: August 1st
closes: August 31st
challenge date: final anthology list posted on September 1st

LITEROTICA: Summer Lovin' Competition (summertime)
Hosted by Duleigh
starts: August 15
closes: September 5
winners announced: September 12

Crime and Punishment 2025 [ OPEN ] (annually since 2023) - CONFIRMED FOR 2026
organizer: soflabbwlvr
starts: Sept 2nd
closes: Sept 20th
challenge date: September 25th

FAN FIC Challenge 2026 [ OPEN ] - (this was Dark Fairy Tales ins 2025) - TENTAIVE FOR 2026 - IF ANYONE ELSE HAS SOMETHING CONCRETE, SUGGEST. FIRST COME FIRST SERVED
organizer: @StillStunned
starts: Sept 1st
closes: Sept 25th
Challenge date: final anthology list posted on September 30th

Tales from the Sexnomicon [ INVITATIONAL ] - CONFIRMED FOR 2026
organizer: lovecraft68
challenge date: October 16th

LITEROTICA: Halloween Competition (Oct 31)
Hosted by Emily Miller
starts: October 2
closes: October 23
winners announced: October 30

Amorous Goods, Season 06 (2025) [ OPEN ] (annually since 2020) - jaF0 seems to have dropped off - trying to confirm but this Date may open up - suggesting mid-November to spread things out mpre veenly
organizer: jaF0
starts: October 1
closes: October 31
challenge date: November 2nd

GAP FOR ANOTHER EVENT MID / LATE NOVEMEBER

LITEROTICA: Winter Holidays Competition (all holidays/events/activities from November through January)
Hosted by: ChloeTzang
starts: November 11
closes: December 5
winners announced: December 12

I just can't tell all of you how happy the statement of yours saying that the self appointed queen of this site won't be having her March 17th invitational in 2026. I guess Moe, Curly and Larry will try to rest on their laurels. Boo hoo hoo.

 

[ChloeTzang]

And....volunteers needed to host two f the Support Threads for two of the 2026 Competitions

- Valentines Day - Emily
- April Fools Day - Chloe
- Summer Lovin' ******Volunteer Needed**********
- Nude Day -*****Volunteer Needed **********
- Hallloween - Duleigh
- Winter Holidays - Duleigh

If you've hosted an event or a competition before it's a no-brainer - these all have previous support threads - you just need to copy and update one of the previous ones

Just sharing the work around a little here and giving a couple of you the opportunity to get involved if you like. Coaching available free of charge LOL

Ogg used to do the lions share of these, but as Ogg's sadly no longer with us, we're trying to spread it around a bit - and if one of us gets run over by a tractor-trailer we have some backup in place LOL

 

[ChloeTzang]

I just can't tell all of you how happy the statement of yours saying that the self appointed queen of this site won't be having her March 17th invitational in 2026. I guess Moe, Curly and Larry will try to rest on their laurels. Boo hoo hoo.

No need to go negative, Jeff. Randi has always been very clear as to why she runs her invitationals the way she has and Literotica allows both Invitationals as well as Open events. Most of us chose to do Open events, but there are Others that do invitationals. I had considered doing one myself but I have my own philosophical reasons for staying with Open Events. Anyone else is welcome to propose an Invitaional - it's actually a lot more work reaching out to authors and asking them to do a story and then following up - when you organie one of these you're putting a lot of work into curating an anthology for the readers enjoyment, and that should be encouraged. IMHO

Lets just keep this thread positive and focused on the events we WILL be holding in 2026

 

[Bamagan]

And....volunteers needed to host two f the Support Threads for two of the 2026 Competitions

- Valentines Day - Emily
- April Fools Day - Chloe
- Summer Lovin' ******Volunteer Needed**********
- Nude Day -*****Volunteer Needed **********
- Hallloween - Duleigh
- Winter Holidays - Duleigh

If you've hosted an event or a competition before it's a no-brainer - these all have previous support threads - you just need to copy and update one of the previous ones

Just sharing the work around a little here and giving a couple of you the opportunity to get involved if you like. Coaching available free of charge LOL

Ogg used to do the lions share of these, but as Ogg's sadly no longer with us, we're trying to spread it around a bit - and if one of us gets run over by a tractor-trailer we have some backup in place LOL

I was actually run over by a tractor-trailer in my first car; 1/10, do not recommend.
I believe I can host the Nude Day comp thread.

 

[ChloeTzang]

I was actually run over by a tractor-trailer in my first car; 1/10, do not recommend.
I believe I can host the Nude Day comp thread.

Yikes! Quelle horreur!!! Not good. I am glad you are still with is and not road kill.

I'll whack your name down for Nude Day! Thx a milion for stepping up.

 

[Rustyoznail]

I'll look after nude day, Chloe.

Edit... Summer... Thanks Bamagan.

Cheers

 

[ChloeTzang]

I'll look after nude day, Chloe.

Edit... Summer...

Cheers

Done. Added both you and Bamagan in!

I think we pretty much have it NAILED (pun intended, sorry Rusty)

 

[ChloeTzang]

And I think we have a fairly final list - I have now PM'd Laurel and Manu. Will keep you all posted

And THANKYOU everyone for responding so amazingly quickly, right down to proposing or commenting on new or replacement events and volunteering to host the contests

 

[StillStunned]

What about using Amazing Stories as a theme?
Data: The original IP was a 1926 magazine devoted to science fiction, one of the first to do so (possibly the first). It was a pulp fiction rag, and stories published in it ran the gamut from silly to serious to scary, but they pretty much all involved 'amazing' and unbelievable things. Steven Spielberg turned it into a TV series for a couple of years in the 1980s, and I believe there was another reboot a few years ago. One particularly memorable episode for me involved a student decapitating his professor, played by Christopher Lloyd, although he came back to class complaining of a sore throat (and made for a fun Easter Egg of sorts in the new season of Wednesday, as Christopher Lloyd plays just the head of one of the teachers). Another that might be apropos for the site is about a couple of ghosts who are horrified when a porn star moves into their haunted house.
Stories in such a challenge could land in almost any category, although most would likely lean toward the less realistic ones (Erotic Horror, Mind Control, Nonhuman, SF/F). Ideally they would feature concepts like mad science, cryptids, aliens, magic artifacts, psychic powers, and other impossible (or at least improbable) things. Other suitable inspirations could come from The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, or pre-Code comic books (before sanitized superbeings became the staple of the genre). Certain noir tales could fit in nicely, if Crime and Punishment doesn't seem like a good match.

This sounds wonderful to me, but the recent Tall Tales Writing Exercise drew quite a bit less than the usual response. I'm not saying it's an indication one way or another of whether it would be a popular challenge, just something to consider.

 

[Erozetta]

This sounds wonderful to me, but the recent Tall Tales Writing Exercise drew quite a bit less than the usual response. I'm not saying it's an indication one way or another of whether it would be a popular challenge, just something to consider.

Tall tales tripped me up. I had a few I started to write, but couldn't get them there in the end. I'd wager it did the same to a few others who normally participate.

I got caught up in the "what actually makes a tall tale different?" aspect.