Darkness 102: Advanced Lessons Were Learned

Darkness 102: Advanced Lessons Were Learned

HUMAN WRITTEN STORIES ONLY. AI stories will be auto-rejected. 

Theme

Our Darkness anthology was so popular, we’re doing a sequel! Like the last one, we’ve got a broad theme, but we especially enjoy the idea of a bully getting their cuppumance. Tales from the Crypt or Twilight Zone are good sources of inspiration for lesson learning. We have provided some tropes that you can use to get started. We would love to see stories about those topics! But feel free to venture further into the dark.

Trope Writing Prompts

Sultry librarian is not what they seem

Child learns why they should have listened to their elders 

Professor acquires forbidden knowledge (it was forbidden for a reason)

Class field trip goes awry

Child is held after class to their own dismay

A device opens a secret tunnel to realms humankind were never intended to enter 

Science fair project results in unintended consequences

Space explorers go beyond the limits of reality 

A stranger learns not to trust children 

A student learns why cheaters never prosper 

Format

Each story needs to be EXACTLY 102 words. Flash fiction is a format that includes a complete plot with characters and a climax.

Genres

We want horror, dark fantasy, thriller, crime, dystopian, apocalyptic, cosmic horror, paranormal romance, anything with a dark tone and a harsh lesson. 

Multiple Submissions

Because of the short format, we are hoping to publish multiple stories from each author. Ideally, we would publish five pieces from each author, but we will accept fewer or more submissions. Our goal is to reach precisely 102 stories in the anthology. 

Payment

The budget for this project is slim. But we want to compensate our authors as best as we can. So we have come up with the following compensation structure:

1-4 accepted stories = ebook copy of Darkness 102: Advanced Lessons Were Learned

5-8 stories accepted = ebook and printed copy of Darkness 102: Advanced Lessons Were Learned

9+ stories = ebook and printed copy of Darkness 102: Advanced Lessons Were Learned and $15

Deadline

Submissions open until all 102 spots are filled. Multiple submissions to this anthology are encouraged. We will publish up to ten per author.

You can submit your flash fiction pieces using the form provided.

Please email us if you have any questions at CTPFiction@gmail.com

Check out our Instagram below! @CollectiveDarkness