The Medieval Writing Challenge

Hello (aspiring) writers,

Let’s make this summer a blast by kickstarting it with a fun little writing challenge! We are partnering with our good friends at the History Inquiry for this one! Thanks to this partnership, the winner will be awarded $30 and additional promotional tools in our respective publications.

Goal

Write an engaging but accurate article on any subject related to the medieval period. This can range from Byzantium‘s cultural impact on the West to the invention of paper by the Tang Dynasty, or the advanced Mesoamerican states during this time period to the palace intrigues of medieval European courts.

What is essential to keep in mind, is not to bore us. Have a point, a story, or a unique style to keep us engaged. Accuracy and historical analysis are vital but remember that casual viewers will read your article, too, so writing style and clarity are important.

Guidelines

Basics & formatting

Formatting is key to your article being accepted. If your article looks unprofessional and messy, it will not be read.

• 1000 words minimum
• Must take place during the Middle Ages (approximately 500-1500 CE)
• Have an engaging title that draws in the reader
• Have a detailed yet concise subtitle that supplements the title
• Have a summary that describes your point in <155 characters (yes, that’s not a typo)

Citations & images

• Please provide at least 3 sources from either books, well-known and reliable online sources, or scientific articles. Put citations at the bottom of the submission in MLA or APA format
• Please provide images that fit and support your copy. Send us the pictures in separate files; do not only use them in-line in your email or Word document.
• Use 1 image per roughly 300 words – for example, if your article is around 1200 words long, send us 4 images to go with it.
• Importantly, use copyright-free imagery. Since under most laws, copyright lasts “only” a 100 years, you should not have problems finding free images pertaining to the Middle Ages.

General Advice

• Don’t write a chronicle of events. Wikipedia already did that for you. Instead, make a point that captures the reader!
• All places across all cultures are allowed. The Medieval Era is often seen in a eurocentric view, so don’t be afraid to tell stories about the Islamic Golden Age or the Chinese Dynasties of this period.

Submission

This challenge is live now! Send us your best work before August 5, 2022, by mailing your copy to info@medievalreporter.com. Submissions past this date will not be accepted.

Good luck, everybody! Let your medieval magic do the work. We look forward to seeing the results.

The winner will receive $30. We’ll announce his/her victory in mid-August!