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What the Wild Carries Prize

A project of Uncharted Magazine (see other related projects).

Permanently Closed: This project is permanently closed to submissions (October 2025). We provide the following information as an archive.

About

For this contest, we want stories or excerpts of instinct, presence, and the creatures that change us. Drop us into those human and creature relationships that make us feel something new or old or leave us twisting to understand. At the heart of your story, we want to see humans and animals interacting in interesting ways. Consider crafting your story around the most pivotal moments between your main character and an essential animal or creature, and fully immerse us in these moments. Consider how animals and creatures help us see the humanity in all of us! We especially love stories that incorporate elements from multiple genres, so consider how combining these aspects might enhance your story. We’re drawn to stories that use their conflicts to create tension and resonance.

Fees Notice: This project charges fees (or requires purchases) for all submissions.
The fee is USD $20 (average for contests).

Country of Publication & Year Established

United States
Established in 2025

Publication Medium & Contest Frequency

Electronic Publication Electronic Publication
One-time contest

Fiction Closed

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience, including: Adults, Young adults.

Genres:

Science Fiction Open to all/most Subgenres
Suspense/Thriller Open to all/most Subgenres

Lengths:

Short Story: 1,001 - 5,000 words.
Novel Excerpt: 1,001 - 5,000 words.

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Humorous, Mainstream.

Topics:

Other: See guidelines.

Winner's Prize:

Professional payment (5 or more US cents per word) Professional payment. Details: USD $2,000 first prize.

Submissions:

Method: Submittable submission manager.
Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.
Multiple entries: Multiple entries are allowed.
Media: Text.

Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary.

What the Wild Carries Prize Submission Statistics

The statistics in this section are compiled from submission reports sent to us through our submission tracker. They are not provided by the publication's editors/staff or by Duotrope's admins. Information in this section is updated a few times per day. Learn more about the statistics.

Filter:
Accuracy
We have received 16 reports from 16 different members within the past 12 months. The more responses reported, the more accurate the information.
Days Reported
15 min | 37.6 mean avg | 31.0 median | 149 max days (40.5 std dev)
Responses
100.00 %
Acceptances:
6.25 % of submissions accepted (140.0 avg. days per acceptance) | 6.25 % of submitters accepted Rejections are often underreported, which skews the statistics in favor of acceptances. Most publishers have a lower acceptance rate than indicated here.
Rejections:
93.75 % (29.8 avg. days per rejection) | 13.3 % personal, 66.7 % form, 20.0 % unspecified | 6.3 % shortlisted
Non-Responses
0.00 %
Lost/Returned:
-
Never Responded:
-
Withdrawals
-

Other Information

The most common submission fee paid: USD $20.00.
Most submissions are acknowledged within one day.
Most recent response reported was received on 03 Mar 2026.
Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 10 Oct 2025.
Date compiled: 14 Sep 2026 21:37 UTC (less than a minute ago).

Work submitted here was also submitted to...

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Your Submissions

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Refractions: Genre Flash Fiction Prize CLOSED  Charges fees for all submissions
Uncharted Magazine
Uncharted Magazine Camp Summer Contest CLOSED  Charges fees for all submissions
Uncharted Magazine Cinematic Short Story Contest  Charges fees for all submissions
Uncharted Magazine Historical Fiction Challenge CLOSED  Charges fees for all submissions
Uncharted Magazine Horror and Thriller Short Story Award DNQ  Charges fees for all submissions
Uncharted Magazine Horror Challenge CLOSED  Charges fees for all submissions
Uncharted Magazine Noir Challenge CLOSED  Charges fees for all submissions
Uncharted Magazine Novel Excerpt Prize  Charges fees for all submissions
Uncharted Magazine Short Story Award DNQ  Charges fees for all submissions
Uncharted Reprint Prize  NEW!  Charges fees for all submissions
Uncharted Science Fiction & Fantasy First Chapter Prize DNQ  Charges fees for all submissions
Voyage Anthology Contest CLOSED  Charges fees for some submissions
Voyage Best Chapters Contest CLOSED  Charges fees for all submissions
Voyage Book-Pitch Contest CLOSED  Charges fees for all submissions
Voyage First Chapters Contest DNQ  Charges fees for all submissions
Voyage YA Open CLOSED  Charges fees for all submissions
Voyage YA Short Story Award CLOSED  Charges fees for all submissions
Young Adults Write YA Contest CLOSED  Charges fees for all submissions

Before Submitting

We cannot guarantee that the information on this page is correct. It is not unusual for publications to evolve or close without notice. We do our best to keep up, but it isn't always possible. Duotrope listings do not imply endorsement or recommendation of the project being listed. Before submitting, you should use your own judgment to determine whether the project meets your standards.

  • Always read the full guidelines provided by the publisher.
  • Try to read at least one previous publication to get a better idea of what the editor would like to see.
  • Unless the publisher's guidelines state otherwise, always use industry standard manuscript formatting.
  • Be professional, patient, and persistent.

Dates

Last Updated: 05 Oct 2025

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