The Military Story Showcase recognizes scripts, books, short stories & stage plays in any genre that feature a story about warfare or the military experience.

>> SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS <<

SCREENPLAYS
*Feature film screenplays - up to 160 pages
*Television scripts - up to 90 pages
*Short scripts - up to 25 pages
*Stories in any genre
*Produced or unproduced

BOOKS, MANUSCRIPTS & SHORT STORIES
*Fiction or narrative nonfiction
*Any length
*Stories in any genre
*Published or unpublished

STAGE PLAYS
*Any length
*Stories in any genre
*Produced or unproduced

TITLE PAGE IS REQUIRED
Must include:
*Title
*Name(s) of writer(s)
*If an adaptation, also include the title & writer(s) of the source material.
*If a true story, also include the name of the person or the event the story is based on or inspired by.

Note: The Military Story Showcase is conducted exclusively online.

WINNER - One (1) Winner will receive:
*$3,500 cash prize
*Winner Laurel
*Listing on the Showcase website

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS - Stories chosen as Official Selections will receive:
*Official Selection Laurel
*Listing on the showcase website

*Entrant(s) must be 18 years of age or older.
*All entries must be in English.
*All entries must be submitted in PDF format. No exceptions.
*Scripts/manuscripts/plays must be in standard format. No exceptions.
*Both produced and unproduced scripts/plays are eligible.
*Both published and unpublished books/manuscripts are eligible.
*Both represented and non-represented writers are eligible.
*Teams of writers are eligible.
*Stories that have previously won a competition are eligible.
*Substitutions of corrected pages, revised material, or new drafts, require a new entry and payment.
*We DO NOT offer deadline extensions.
*We DO NOT offer fee waivers or discounts.
*WE DO NOT RESPOND TO REQUESTS FOR FEE WAIVERS, OR DISCOUNTS, OR DEADLINE EXTENSIONS.
*We DO NOT offer individual feedback on submissions.
*All submission payments are final. We do not provide refunds.
*By submitting a story you confirm that you own the rights to the material submitted.
*By submitting an adapted story, you confirm that you have permission from the copyright-holder or the material is available in the public domain.
*By submitting a story you confirm that you have read and agree to our eligibility and rules.
*Judges decisions are final.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do I need to include a title page with my submission?
Yes. A title page is required.

What information do I need to include on the title page?
The title page MUST include:
*Title of Story
*Name of Writer(s)
*Contact information is optional (and not required)
*Website (or Social Media Profile) if you want it included in your Winner or Official Selection listing (optional, not required)
*For adapted stories, also include: Based On [Title and Writer]
*For true stories, also include: Based on [Name of Person or Event]

What format do you accept for submissions?
All entries must be submitted in PDF format. No exceptions.

Do I have to include a Copyright or WGA registration number with my submission?
No, it is not required.

Do you accept international submissions?
Yes, we welcome international writers. All submissions must be in English.

Can I enter more than one story in a showcase?
Yes, multiple submissions are accepted. Each submission requires a separate entry.

Can I submit a story under a pen name?
Yes. If you use a pen name, be sure to include and indicate your pen name on the title page.

If I rewrite my story after entering the showcase can I submit my new draft?
Yes, new drafts of submitted stories are accepted without additional payment prior to the close of submssions.

Can I send a paper copy of my story to your mailing address?
No. We do not accept paper copies.

Is there a way I can enter the showcase for free? Do you provide fee waivers for writers with financial hardships?
No, we do not offer fee waivers of any kind.

What if I change my mind about entering the showcase after making payment, can I receive a refund?
No, we do not offer refunds for any reason. No exceptions. Be sure to carefully read and verify your submission meets all criteria prior to entry.

Where does the money go for the entry fee?
Entry fees are used to pay professional readers, administrative expenses, and delivery costs.

Does the entrant retain rights to the submitted story?
Yes, entrants retain all the rights to their works.

If I win will I have to assign any rights to story, or any percentage of sales or future profits?
Absolutely not. Entrants retain all the rights to their works. Neither Ink & Cinema nor its readers, judges or sponsors will attach themselves to your material as a condition of you being designated a winner, nor will we demand any percentage of any sales you make as a result of entering or winning a showcase.

Can anyone have access to the story once submitted?
No, submissions are only accessible to the assigned reader, judges, and our staff. Ink & Cinema owns no rights to the submitted material and will not distribute your story publicly in any way.

How will you use my contact information?
Rest-assured, we will never sell or rent your contact information to anyone.

Who are your readers ?
All of our readers have significant experience and credentials in the industry. They have worked for production companies, studios, managers, publishers, agents, and talent.

How can you guarantee my submission will be reviewed and receive a fair chance?
Rest-assured all entries are carefully considered.

Can I talk with a reader or judge about my submission? Do you provide notes or feedback?
The showcases do NOT offer feedback or notes of any kind on individual submissions.

When will I receive notification about my submissions placement in the showcase?
All entrants will receive notification of their placement in the showcase, with a link to the announcement page via email once a winner has been selected (see "Notification Date" in the "Dates & Deadlines" section).

When will I received my recognition laurel?
“Official Selection” and ‘Winner” laurels are distributed after judging is complete and winners have been announced. Winners receive a “Winner” laurel. Official Selections receive an “Official Selections” laurel. You will receive an email with a link to access and download the online laurel.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Tom Smith

    Great venue for authors of war-related books

    March 2023
  • Corey Shields

    Thanks for this opportunity and the selction!

    March 2023
  • I definitely appreciated that my screenplay Camden Street Station was selected by the judges. Thank you, Dennis Snider

    March 2023
  • Very honored to be selected

    March 2023
  • Mike Yorke

    It was wonderful to see Doomsday Soldiers be included in the festival Official Selection. Thirty-five years ago, when I was in the Army, I learned of the special teams designated to conduct such high-risk missions and knew then there was a good story to be told. I'm grateful that Military Story Showcase provided such a venue. Thank you!!

    March 2023