Rules & Regulations

The official challenge prompt and mandatory creative elements will be emailed to all participants on September 16th, 2026 along with a link for submissions. Submissions must be uploaded by September 30th, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST. No late submissions will be accepted.

1. Originality and Ownership

I represent and warrant that:

• The story I submit is my original work.

• I am the sole author and owner of the submitted work, except for any material specifically disclosed and permitted under the Official Rules.

• My submission does not knowingly infringe upon the copyright, trademark, publicity, privacy, or other rights of any third party.

• My submission has not been previously published or publicly released in violation of the Official Rules.

• There is absolutely no use of AI in the creation of my story. I understand that the use of AI results in immediate disqualification of the writing challenge.

• I have the legal authority to submit the work to this competition.

• I am at least 16 years of age.

2. Author Ownership

I understand that I retain ownership and copyright of my submitted story.

Participation in the competition does not transfer ownership of my story to Tea & Tropes.

However, if my story is selected as a Top 10 finalist, I grant Tea & Tropes LLC the limited rights necessary to:

• Reproduce my story in the official competition anthology;

• Distribute and sell the anthology;

• Promote the competition, anthology, and finalists;

• Use my name, author name, story title, and approved biography in connection with the competition and anthology;

• Display or otherwise reproduce my story as reasonably necessary to

  conduct and promote the competition.

Any additional publication of my story, including publication on the Tea & Tropes website, will be subject to the rights and terms specifically stated in the Official Rules and/or a separate written agreement.

3. Promotional Permission

I grant Tea & Tropes LLC permission to use my name, photograph, author biography, story title, and other information I voluntarily provide for reasonable promotional purposes relating to the competition, anthology, Snowed In, and Tea & Tropes related promotion.

This permission does not transfer ownership of my intellectual property.

4. Competition Judging

I understand that the competition is judged according to the criteria established in the Official Rules and Regulations. I understand that the Top 25, Top 10, and final winners are selected according to the competition's stated judging procedures.

Except in cases of demonstrated administrative error, fraud, or violation of the Official Rules, I agree to respect the final determination of the competition judges.

5. Reader's Choice

If Reader's Choice voting is offered, I understand that it is a separate audience-selected award and that voting will be conducted according to the Official Rules.

I understand that Reader's Choice does not replace or alter the judges' determination of First, Second, or Third Place.

6. Release and Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, I release and hold harmless Tea & Tropes LLC, its owners, organizers, employees, contractors, judges, representatives, sponsors, and affiliated parties from claims arising out of my voluntary participation in the competition, including claims relating to judging decisions, placement, selection of finalists, Reader's Choice voting, or failure to win a prize, except to the extent caused by conduct that cannot legally be waived or released.

Nothing in this Agreement is intended to waive any right or remedy that cannot legally be waived.

7. No Guarantee of Selection or Publication

I understand that payment of the entry fee does not guarantee that my story will advance beyond any round of the competition.

I understand that only stories selected as Top 10 finalists are guaranteed consideration for inclusion in the official competition anthology, subject to compliance with the Official Rules and any required publication agreement.

8. Agreement to Official Rules

I confirm that I have had an opportunity to review the Official “Snowed-In” Fantasy Writing Challenge and the Official Rules and Regulations. I agree to comply with those rules and understand that violation of the rules may result in disqualification.

I understand that the final competition documents and this Agreement constitute the terms governing my participation.