The theme of our third anthology is Into the Forest.
We are looking for submissions of poetry, fiction and non-fiction that embrace worlds both speculative and real, fantastical and familiar, historical and futuristic.
These writing prompts are designed to inspire a diverse range of responses but we really want to see how YOU interpret the theme.
Writing Prompts
1. Fantastic Beasts (11/03/23)
Photo by Oliver Roos
In fantasy stories, forests are oftentimes the domain of werecreatures and/or the fae.
What fantastic beasts lie in the undergrowth of your story?
What lurks in the shadows?
What lives among the leaves?
2. The Best place to hide a leaf (18/03/23)
Photo by Hernan Sanchez
The labyrinthical nature of forests make them excellent hiding spots.
Is your protagonist seeking refuge in Nature (and if so, from who/what)?
Or are they involved in some act of resistance that necessitates secrecy?
3. Nature’s Allure (25/03/23)
Photo by Cosmic Timetraveler
There is a story in each of our other anthologies about an A.I./android character who is inspired by Nature to defy their human creators (see The Pioneer’s Dilemma in Uncharted Constellations and Twitching in Severed Souls).
What does the beauty of the natural world inspire your character to do?
4. Space Trees (01/04/23)
Photo by Krystian Piątek
Not all woods are Earthly, not all trees are kind.
You are far from home. In a forest that’s extra-terrestrial, a deep space structure or cybernetic.
These trees are alien, sentient, curious or malevolent.
5. Enchanted Forest (08/04/23)
Photo by Jay
The enchanted forest’s roots trip unwary travellers.
Rope down through centuries to our earliest stories. They nurture spores and lurid fungi. Harbour changelings, sprites and misbegotten creatures. Which are you?
6. Sentient Trees (15/04/23)
Photo by Aron Yigin
If a tree could walk, where would it go?
If a forest could talk, what would it say?
Anyone who’s listened to gossiping leaves, watched black fingers knotting the sky, knows the story is a dark one.
Write it.
7. Metamorphosis (22/04/23)
Photo by Anne Nygård
The forest is a cradle of metamorphosis.
From acorns to saplings and spreading canopies, to old heartwood’s hollowed spaces.
Stories abound of humans who lie within, cursed or fled into wood.
Tell one.
8. Urban Jungle (29/04/23)
Photo by sq lim
In the city, a tree can be a shady refuge.
A green portal to another dimension.
Or a place that trouble lurks. Closing in, concrete trees rustle with litter, hide traps underfoot. Eyes wink from shadows.
9. Protecting our Trees (06/05/23)
Photo by Matt Palmer
Forests are as much a biome under attack as they are places of refuge.
As much as 80% of the world’s forests have been destroyed or irreparably degraded.
Write a story about protecting our forests.
10. Terraformation (12/05/23)
Photo by Javier Miranda
The year is 2596. You are part of the terraforming team Earth has sent to their latest colony. Everything is set up and ready to go.
There’s just one problem. The planet you’ve been sent to isn’t as dormant as your brief suggested.
And it doesn’t seem to appreciate your attempts to ‘fix’ it…
11. Once Upon A Time (20/05/23)
Photo by Sarah Penney
Many of our favourite fairy tales and myths are set in or around a forest.
Rewrite one with a modern or futuristic twist.
12. Forbidden Forest (27/05/23)
Photo by Una McGirr
Many fantasy stories see foolhardy protagonists venturing in a ‘Forbidden Forest’.
What is your character making an odyssey into the woods for?
Will there be a return journey?
Image Prompts
1. Write a story set in the ‘urban jungle’ (12/03/23)
Photo by Aaron VanPoole
2. Write a story featuring a karst landscape, a hidden city or a stone forest (26/03/23)
Photo by Wayne W
3. Write a story set in a city overrun by nature (02/04/23)
Photo by Anna Gru
Photo by Dasha Urvachova
4. Write a story featuring an oasis, an unlikely sanctuary or an optical illusion (09/04/23)
Photo by Jonathan Barreto
5. Write a story set around a cabin/hut/home in the woods (16/04/23)
Photo by Norbert Tóth
6. Write a story inspired by the will-o’-the-wisp folklore (23/04/23)
Photo by Norbert Tóth
7. Write a story set in a manmade forest-scape (30/04/23)
Photo by Peerapon Chantharainthron
8. Write a story featuring the discovery of a hidden place, a new species or an aspect of one’s self (07/05/23)
Photo by Kevin Quezada
9. Write a story about found family (13/05/23)
Photo by Jon Tyson
10. Write a story set in a fantastical world (21/05/23)
Photo by Jr Korpa
11. Write a story featuring a special tree (28/05/23)
Photo by Antoine PERIER
Sounds of the Forest
Close your eyes and be transported into the forest by these auditory writing prompts.
1. Around the Campfire (14/03/23)
2. Distant Woodpeckers (21/03/23)
3. Caught in a thunderstorm (28/03/23)
4. Insect Life (04/04/23)
5. On the Run (18/04/23)
6. Into the Swamp (25/04/23)
7. Urban birdsong (09/05/23)
8. Chainsaw (16/05/23)
9. Crunching Leaves (23/05/23)
10. Gentle birdsong (30/05/23)
All sound effects credit: https://mixkit.co/
Space Cat Press 