Without further ado, we'd like to present our

2023 BATTLE TALES prompts! 

The time is nigh to wield quill and quire for the PEI Writers' Guild eighth edition of swift seven-day writing combat. The battle cry gusts across the Island summoning all wordsmiths to embark on adventure and in 2,500 words or less, endeavour to become the 2023 Battle Tales short-story champion ~ there can be only one.

Captivate the imagination of our esteemed judge with your fictional world. Whether this is your first foray into the art of storytelling or you're a master of the writing craft, the moment has arrived to set off on your hero’s journey and create your saga ~ be it a daring myth, fearless fable, bold mystery, modern legend, sci-fi odyssey, fantastic magical realms ~ anything goes ~ so long as your story is armed with ALL THREE PROMPTS.

Without further ado, here are your Battle Tales VIII prompts:

1. the debt was paid

2. fell into a dream

3. brick by brick

Use the prompts as you see fit. To spin the first threads of your tale or delicately weave inside the fabric of your story. And remember, as you set out on your literary voyage to abide by the following rules of battle:

- Your story MUST incorporate all three prompts

- No names on entries (judging is blind!)

- You MUST be a resident of Prince Edward Island to enter

- Stories must be 2,500 words or less

- Anything received by 11:59 pm on Saturday, March 4th will be accepted

And with that, the theatre of battle is set. Go forth!

Call to arms your exiled anti-heroes. Send them out on quests you value. Vanquish the threatening foes you see in this age of ours. Build your resistance, embolden your rebels, create warriors for our time! Make perceived evil ~ good. Make perceived good ~ antiquated. Lure ancestors from deep space. Prophesize worlds beyond our field of vision. Bring forth your reflection of the world ~ what it is ~ what it could be.

Summon your magnificent monsters! Summon your creatures from the subterranean caverns of your limitless imagination. Summon shadowy beasts from the dark forest of your mind. Bring them out into the open, onto the battlefield, into the light.

Let the battle commence!

(This year's Battle Tales writing prompts were graciously written by our 2022 BT Champion - Jennifer Platts Fanning!)

How do I submit to Battle Tales? 

• All submissions are accepted online via our fave Submission Manager, Submittable! 
• Be sure to click the "Battle Tales VIII: The Battle Continues...Again!" category when presented with the submissions menu.
• There is no cost for submission. 

Most of all, what do I win? 

Well first and foremost, you win THE PRESTIGE of being the BEST Battler of Tales on Prince Edward Island for 2023. And second of all, the winner of this year's Battle Tales gets to create next year's competition writing prompts!Go ahead, show us that swagger!

Oh, and the winner ALSO receives a PEI Writers' Guild membership for one year!

Our 2023 Guest Judge: Elizabeth Iwunwa

About Elizabeth Iwunwa 

Elizabeth Iwunwa was born in 1997 and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Business Administration in Global Leadership from the University of Prince Edward Island. Her works have been featured in PEI’s The Guardian and on CBC. She is the editor of Íjè: An Immigrant’s Voyage into Prince Edward Island Life, a collection of personal reflections, interviews, photo essays, and visual works of art that include themes of belonging, imposed and realized identities, cultural traditions, culinary symbols, and living the contradictions of social norms. It spotlights the narratives of immigrants to Prince Edward Island, shining light on their individual experiences. Iwunwa is interested in the intersection of culture, politics, and history in the lives and stories of everyday people.

BATTLE TALES in the News 

• Listen to Ryan Gallant's winning entry, "MPV". (YouTube, 2020) 
• P.E.I. Writers' Guild Presents Battle Tales: IV (The Guardian, 2019) 
• Island Man Determined to Keep His Crown (CBC; 2019) 
• Man Secures Crown for 2nd Year in A Row in PEI Writing Contest (Yahoo; 2019) 
• Island Morning Interview: Matt Rainnie with Keith Burgoyne (2016)