For October, we’re turning to Black Shuck, the great black dog of English folklore, said to haunt roads, churchyards and lonely stretches of countryside.

 

This month, we’re inviting responses in:

• Poetry (<= 30 lines)

• Fiction (<=1500 words)

• Nonfiction (<=1500 words)

• Art

 

We’ll select one poem, one fiction, one nonfiction piece, and one artwork. The four selected works will be published on Lore Lorn and featured in our 2026 Winter issue, Long Nights.

​

SUGGESTED PROMPT

A black dog appears on the road ahead. What happens next?

 

Follow the old stories closely or take Black Shuck somewhere entirely new. We want to see what happens when the creature is handed over to you.

Submissions close October 20, 11:59pm

 

Please submit only one entry in any one of the categories.

​

​