
The Mystery Box
Write a story about a mysterious package.
Prizes
- Grand Prize:
- $2,000
- Second Place:
- $500
- 10 Runners-Up:
- $50
Status
CompletedTimeline
Submissions opened
Nov 08, 2022
Submissions closed
Nov 30, 2022 4:59 AM CUT
Results
Dec 14, 2022
Prizes
- Grand Prize:
- $2,000
- Second Place:
- $500
- 10 Runners-Up:
- $50
Status
CompletedTimeline
Submissions opened
Nov 08, 2022
Submissions closed
Nov 30, 2022 4:59 AM CUT
Results
Dec 14, 2022
About this challenge
The Prompt
A drone anonymously delivers a mysterious package to your doorstep.
Write a fictional story between 600 to 3,000 words uncovering who sent it and why.
The key to the Mystery Box Challenge is to capture a sense of mystery. How does the arrival of something unexpected change the course of one’s day? What is the true motive of the package’s sender? We can’t wait to see how you think outside the box.
The Prizes
- Grand Prize: $2,000
- Second Place: $500
- 10 Runners-Up: $50
How to enter
For your story to be eligible, it should be between 600 and 3,000 words and adhere to our Community Guidelines. Stories published on Vocal and entered into the contest up until November 29, 2022, at 11:59 PM ET will be entered for consideration. Official Rules for the Challenge can be found here.
The Mystery Box Challenge is exclusive to Vocal+ members. To learn more and upgrade to Vocal+ visit https://everydaydealxhub.live/vocal-plus.%3C/p%3E%3Cp class="css-1923z11-Text">To be eligible to win the grand prize, second place, or runners-up prizes, you must be over the age of 13 and residing in a country where Stripe is available at the time of entry. A complete list of countries where Stripe is available can be found here—winners will need to have a Stripe account created and connected in order to receive the prizes. For this reason, entrants located outside of any of these countries will not be eligible to win.
Open challenges
Challenges you can enter now for a chance to win.
The Rule Everyone Knows
Write a story centered on an unspoken rule that everyone in the story understands and follows, allowing the rule to emerge through behavior.
$200 Grand Prize37 hours leftWhat Comes Back
Write a poem about something that returns, whether expected or not.
$200 Grand Prize10 days leftSmall Win
Write a piece about a small, everyday victory that ends up meaning more than expected.
$200 Grand Prize17 days leftThe Unhappy Ending
Write a story that does not end well, and allows the consequences to stand.
$200 Grand Prize24 days leftSorry About That
Write a humorous piece in the form of an apology that gradually reveals a situation the speaker is responsible for, growing more complicated as it goes.
$200 Grand Prize31 days leftAfter It’s Gone
Write an elegy poem that mourns a person, place, time, or idea that has been lost.
$200 Grand Prize38 days leftI Made It Worse
Write a true or fictional confession about a situation where you tried to fix something and only made it worse.
$200 Grand Prize45 days leftStay a While
Write a slasher-inspired horror story set in an isolated location where a group begins to realize they are not alone.
$500 Grand Prize52 days left







