SEASON 12 - Multiversal - flash fiction contest character prompts - updated deadlines 2024-2025

Aug 28, 2026

Season 12 “Multiversal” outlines a Havok flash fiction contest built around a featured character prompt. Writers must incorporate the character from the profile without violating core traits, while tailoring the portrayal to one or more of five genres: mystery, science fiction, humor, thriller, and fantasy. The submission rules clarify acceptable character roles, including cameo, side character, or antagonist, and emphasize how characterization affects winner selection. The sheet also lists updated deadlines tied to publication months in 2025.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time12 min

AccessFree to download

SEASON 12: Multiversal

Contest rules and genre requirements

Character profiles and deadlines

Always check our Season Themes page for the latest info! SEASON 12: Multiversal WEBSITE: GO HAVOK.COM | Our Season 12 flash fiction contest features a character prompt. We challenge you to take the character of the month —each designed by one of our stellar featured authors —and work it into your story in some way. And by “some way” we’re tapping into the theories of the fictional multiverse. Your interpretation of the character and how you write them to fit our five genres will be unique! | | | --- | --- | | | Do not violate the core traits listed in the character profile, but everything else is up for grabs. Take the character and make him/her your own.
The character must appear in your story, but does not have to be the protagonist. They could be a side character, an antagonist, or even just appear as a cameo. But keep in mind that your portrayal of the character does impact our selection of contest winners.
We need contest submissions for all five Havok genres: mystery, science fiction, humor, thriller, and fantasy. Ask yourself: | | In what capacity could this character appear in a mystery story?
If they existed in a sci-fi or fantasy universe, what would that look like?
In what sort of thriller or suspense plot did they get caught up?
What’s the funniest scenario you can imagine for them?
Tip: Mystery, thriller, and humor categories tend to have less competition.
Integrating those elements into a science fiction or fantasy story will enable your story to be considered for acceptance by more than one genre team.
ATTENTION! NEW DEADLINES: Oct 25 , 2024- “Joe Enza”(publishes in January 2025)
Nov 15 , 2024- “Kytt Windthorn”(publishes in February 2025)
Dec 13 , 2024- “Spark Spaulding”(publishes in March 2025)
Jan 17 , 2025- “Zaivar Witz”(publishes in April 2025)
Feb 21 , 2025- “Phezznibbet Maplebark”(publishes in May 2025) | | SOCBSL,SI2IONN0E24 STNRP2U0B2ISH KERRY NIETZ’S JOE ENZA WEBSITE: GO HAVOK.COM PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Middle-aged; about 5’9” tall; a little paunchy, but by no means overweight. Dark hair that is long around the sides, but bald ontop. (Think the comedian Gallagher.) Typically smiles from the side of his mouth. PERSONALITY / TRAITS: Neutral good. Excellent problem solver and workaholic. Gets in, gets the job done, and gets out. Honorable, structured, non-aggressive, inquisitive, and driven, but also unintrusive and sly. CORE VALUES: Solve the problem, fix the thing, get it done . Here’s your bill. Extra charge for stupid people. Has a surprisingly positive attitude despite countless personal setbacks. DEEPEST DESIRE / MOTIVATION: To be seen and appreciated. Also, could use a competent assistant. He’s plagued by slackers, bumblers, and malcontents. Interesting aside: nearly half of his problems are caused by mice or birds. GREATEST WEAKNESS: Self-image and random ailments. (Once got poison ivy in his lungs.) WORST HABIT: Tends to add “and stuff” to the end of sentences . Can go long on storytelling, if prompted. His tales, while interesting , can stretch on for hours. Joe Enza character copyright © 2024 Kerry Nietz. Kerry is the award-winning author of A Star Curiously Singing and other works of speculative fiction. Visit him at [nietz.com](nietz.com). This character released with permission to create derivative works for Havok Season 12. SUBMISSION DEADLINE NOV 15, 2024 NADINE BRANDES’ STORIES PUBLISH IN FEB 2025 KYTT WINDTHORN WEBSITE: GO HAVOK.COM PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Young adult with wavy brown hair past her shoulders. Wears simple round glasses that seem too big for her face, but accentuate the fact her eyes are, subtly, two different colors (one blue and one green.) She tends to smile with lips closed because she’s self-conscious about the gap in her front teeth. PERSONALITY / TRAITS: Thief with a good heart. She likes to get what she wants and talks herself into thinking it’s a need. She also

FAQs

How should writers use the featured character in their flash fiction?

Include the character in the story without violating the core traits from the profile. The character can be a protagonist, side character, antagonist, or even a cameo.

Which genres are required for contest submissions?

Submissions must cover all five Havok genres: mystery, science fiction, humor, thriller, and fantasy.

What do the “updated deadlines” specify?

They set submission dates for each featured character and link each submission to the month the story will publish in 2025.

Aug 28, 2026

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