An opportunity for male horror writers, published and unpublished, to strut their stuff! You write and record your own scary story, we post it on the internationally famous HorrorAddicts.net site and let the listeners vote for the best one. The winner receives a host of prizes, most importantly the coveted “Master of Macabre” title and the privilege of organizing next year’s MoM Challenge. You can listen to last year’s stories here.

2012 THEME – CURSES!

This year’s Challenge will lure us into the dark domain of malicious hexes and inescapable afflictions. Contestants will be tasked with telling stories inspired by famous, or once-famous, curses from around the world. The real curse will be on us listeners who have to choose a winner. Woe is us!

GUIDELINES

• Entries will be accepted until April 11, 2012.
• Each entrant will be assigned a curse from somewhere in the world. Look here for an idea of the kinds of curses we might give you.
• The entrant is to write a story of 1500-3500 words in which the assigned curse plays a central role. Stories should explain the curse for listeners who have never heard of it, but should not be merely a re-telling of the original story.
• The entrant records the story. Horror Addicts will not provide readers this year. If you need help recording your story, the MoM group on Facebook is a great place to ask questions. Audio will be due in mp3 format on May 11, 2012. After your story, you may tell listeners how they can find more of your writing.

OTHER DATES

June 30, 2012: contest airs and voting starts

July 27, 2012: voting ends

August 25, 2012: winner announced on HorrorAddicts.net podcast

HOW TO ENTER

1. Send the following information in the body of an email to momchallenge2012@gmail.com.

Name
Email address
Skype name (if you have one)
Websites and blogs (if you have any)

You will receive a brief contract for your perusal.

2. Return contract, a short bio (50 words or less) for our website, and your headshot to momchallenge2012@gmail.com.

3. Shaunessy Ashdown, the current Master of Macabre, will assign you your curse (but not curse you) and you can get writing!

Who will be the next Master of Macabre?

A chat with Master of Macabre, Shaunessy Ashdown.

HA: What inspired you to enter the Masters of the Macabre contest?

Shaunessy: The Wicked Women Writers Challenge, of course! I became a fan when Kimberly Steele, an author I admire very much (check out her cool vampire novel Forever Fifteen), participated in 2010. Each writer had to write a story about one of The Seven Deadly Sins and thought that would be so much fun to do. You can imagine how elated I was when a year later I saw that there was going to be a challenge for the lads.

HA: What did you think of the items you were given? 

Shaunessy: I thought, “Score!!!”

HA: When you listened to the other stories, who did you think would win?

Shaunessy: As soon as I heard Michael Burns speak his first words, with that fun-loving voice of his, I thought, “Oh, this is gonna be good.” and I was not disappointed. I have to also mention Colin Barnes’s very intelligent story. Both of these authors did an excellent job of putting the phobic protagonist in a situation where her/his phobia is cranked up to maximum volume, so to say. I didn’t quite manage that in my story and so I was honestly quite jealous.

HA: How did you feel when you were told you won?

Shaunessy: Like I’d been kissed by Elvira!

HA: What will this contest mean to the future of your writing?

Shaunessy: Who can say? I feel very encouraged to write more fiction and to record it, and to do more challenges. Does anyone out there have any for me?

HA: Where can listeners find out more about you and your writing? 

Shaunessy: Well, if you Google my name, all you will find is a lot of schoolbooks I’ve written for English lessons in Germany/Austria—not exactly what horror addicts are looking for!

I wrote a couple pieces here that are quite personal in nature. They might be of interest to someone who is dealing with addiction or just struggling through their 30’s. I published them anonymously in 2007-8 but I think now it’s safe for me to reveal myself as the author.

Any schoolteachers out there should please watch my video which gives suggestions for helping queer victims of bullying.

Please listen to all 8 stories, before casting your vote for…
Who will the first Master of Macabre
Email your choice to: horroraddicts@gmail.com
Voting ends October 1st! Get your vote in now!

1. Chris Ringler
Agyrophobia – fear of crossing roads
Graduation
Golf clubs

2. R. Michael Burns
Ailurophobia – fear of cats
Parade
Stereo or sound system

3. Jerry J. Davis
Technophobia – fear of tech
Y2k
Computer

4. Rish Outfield
Entomophobia – fear of insects
Luau
Hang Glider

5. Colin Barnes
Necrophobia – fear of death & dead
Gallery opening
Hunting Knife

6. Tom Andry
Osmophobia – fear of smells
Outdoor Picnic
Telescope

7. Shaunessy Ashdown
Spectrophobia – fear of mirrors and one’s own reflection
Bachelor Party
Motorcycle

8. Don Pitsiladis
Astraphobia – lightning & storms
Sporting event
Riding Mower

Who will the first Master of Macabre be?
Stories will be aired and voting begins September 15th!

1. Chris Ringler
Agyrophobia – fear of crossing roads
Graduation
Golf clubs
2. R. Michael Burns
Ailurophobia – fear of cats
Parade
Stereo or sound system
3. Jerry J. Davis
Technophobia – fear of tech
Y2k
Computer
4. Rish Outfield
Entomophobia – fear of insects
Luau
Hang Glider
5. Colin Barnes
Necrophobia – fear of death & dead
Gallery opening
Hunting Knife
6. Tom Andry
Osmophobia – fear of smells
Outdoor Picnic
Telescope
7. Shaunessy Ashdown
Spectrophobia – fear of mirrors and one’s own reflection
Bachelor Party
Motorcycle
8. Don Pitsiladis
Astraphobia – lightning & storms
Sporting event
Riding Mower

Enter now!!!

What is it?
A challenge to all male horror writers.

2011 Theme:
Phobia Phollies

What are the guidelines?
Each entrant will be given:
1.) A phobia
2.) An occasion (4th of July picnic, wedding rehearsal, etc…)
3.) A boy toy (race car, speeboat, golf clubs, etc..)
They are then to write a horror story about said phobia containing the other two elements. Whoever the fans vote the winner, gets the most honored “Master of Macabre” award. Though this is the first Masters of Macabre Challenge, it is patterned after the Wicked Women’s Challenge and therefore, one lucky listener (voter) will win prizes from each of the enterants of their chosing. Prizes can range from a free book, free e-book, promotional gifts, to a simple letter thanking them for participating.

Specs:
*Podcasted stories between 15-35 mins (approx. 1500- 3500 words).
*We will accept stories that need a volunteer reader.

Entrants will be accepted until:
April 10^th, 2011

Story text will be due:
 July 21^st, 2011

Podcasted story audio will be due:
 August 18^th, 2011

Send your entrant information (see below) in the body of an email to emzbox@sbcglobal.net

Entrant Information:
Name:
Email:
Website:
Publications? Or first time writer?