Attention All Writers!
Hear, ye! Hear, Ye!
I’m inviting writers, dreamers, and wanderers to submit their own original short story set in or inspired by the Toll Booth Universe. Whether it’s a traveler who finds redemption at the Booth, a lost soul encountering an Avatar, or a simple miracle flickering in the desert snow — we want to see how you bring Christmas into the TBU mythos.
✍️ Submission Guidelines
Theme: A Toll Booth Christmas — stories should connect in spirit or setting with The Toll Booth Universe (Management, the Avatars, travelers, or the Booth itself). Create a new character or use some familiar faces!
Word Count: 1,500–3,000 words
Deadline: Midnight December 12, 2025 PST
Format: Submit as a .doc or .pdf attachment to codekaswrites@gmail.com with subject line “TBU Christmas Story Contest.”
Entry Fee: None — just imagination.
🏆 Prizes
1st Place: $50 cash prize, a TBU tee (please include shirt size as part of your submission in case your story wins!), and publication on CodekasWrites.com
🔮 Judging
Entries will be reviewed by Stephen A. Codekas. Judging will focus on:
Originality and emotional depth
Faithfulness to the TBU’s tone and themes and canon
Quality of writing and storytelling craft
📅 Winner Announcement
Winners will be announced on December 21, 2025 on the website and social media.
Official Rules — The First Annual Toll Booth Universe Christmas Story Contest
Eligibility:
Open to individuals 16 years or older. No purchase necessary to enter. Void where prohibited. Only available to those living with the United States.
How to Enter:
Submit your original short story (1,500–3,000 words) as a .doc or .pdf attachment to submissions@codekaswrites.com with the subject line “TBU Christmas Story Contest.”
Include in the body of your email:
First and last name
Email address (contact info)
Story title
T-shirt size (for prize distribution)
Deadline:
All entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. PST on December 12, 2025. Late or incomplete entries will not be considered.
Judging Criteria:
Entries will be evaluated based on originality, emotional depth, adherence to The Toll Booth Universe tone, and overall writing quality. Final decisions will be made by Stephen A. Codekas and guest judges. All decisions are final.
Prize:
One (1) winner will receive $50 USD, one (1) Toll Booth Universe T-shirt, and publication of their story on CodekasWrites.com. Prizes are non-transferable and may not be exchanged for cash or substitutions.
Rights & Permissions:
By submitting an entry, you agree that if selected as the winner, you grant Stephen A. Codekas and CodekasWrites.com full, non-exclusive, worldwide, and perpetual rights to publish, display, reproduce, and promote your story in print or digital form. You will be credited as the author, but no further compensation will be provided beyond the stated prize.
Unselected entries remain the property of their authors.
Notification:
The winner will be contacted via email and announced publicly on December 21, 2025 on CodekasWrites.com and related social channels. Failure to respond within 7 days of notification may result in forfeiture of the prize.
General Conditions:
By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these rules and the decisions of the judges. CodekasWrites.com reserves the right to modify, suspend, or cancel the contest at any time for any reason.
