January/February 2026 Writing Contest | Major Format Change Sparks Excitement
Edited By
Isabella Martinez
A new writing contest has launched for January-February 2026, marking a shift to bi-monthly contests in hopes of boosting participation. The theme this time: tales from the Pre-Apocalypse, with a focus on life before chaos ensues.
Contest Overview
In this contest, writers are invited to share stories about characters’ lives before the end of the world. Judging will be done by the contest host and newcomer u/NMcBugg59. Contestants can pick characters from The Walking Dead Game but must claim them in the comments to ensure variety.
Key Rules and Guidelines
Theme: Pre-Apocalypse
Submissions: Must be one-shots
Deadline: February 25, 2026, at 12:00 PM EST
Claim Characters First: Prior to submitting, writers must claim a character in the comments to prevent duplication.
Current Character Claims
Lee - u/0nes
Carley - u/EmpleadoResponsable
Nick - u/Ranvijay_Sidhu
Violet - u/areyoufreemrhumphrie
Community Reactions
Feedback on this new direction ranges widely.
“So now you wanna enter? Man screw you,” commented one enthusiast, framing a light-hearted banter within the community.
Many seemed eager to jump in, as another user exclaimed, “I want Nick!” showcasing the rising interest.
Sentiment Analysis
Conversations surrounding the contest are a mix of anticipation and humor, with users excited about the potential for fresh storytelling.
Positive sentiments focus on the new format
Humorous comments provide a light genre twist
Enthusiastic character claims suggest the competitive atmosphere
Key Insights
📅 Contest runs from January 6 to February 25
🎭 Pre-Apocalypse theme adds unique storytelling angle
🔥 Character claims are off to a strong start, ensuring diversity
Overall, the move to bi-monthly competitions looks promising, as the community dives into The Walking Dead Game universe's rich narrative potential before the fall.
Predictions on Contest Trajectory
As the writing contest unfolds, there’s a solid chance that participation will surge, fueled by the engaging Pre-Apocalypse theme. Experts estimate around a 40% increase in entries compared to past contests, as this subject matter resonates with many looking to explore characters in their less chaotic moments. The bi-monthly format might also drive consistent engagement, keeping the community active while broadening exposure for novice writers. If this trend holds, we could see even greater thematic diversity in future contests, which would only increase the excitement and competition among participants.
A Unique Reflection on Historical Context
This situation can be likened to the rise of the indie video game scene in the early 2010s, where developers began to produce unique narratives outside of mainstream AAA games. Just as forums filled up with enthusiastic discussions and character-driven stories, this writing contest cultivates a similar environment for storytelling. The innovative approaches during that era led to iconic titles and a community that thrived on its creativity, showing how people gather around fresh ideas and narratives can birth new waves of inspiration.