This year’s Secret Author contest theme lends itself to rebellion, intrigue, drama, romance, fantasy, mystery and more! What will you come up with and where will you take your ideas?
It’s not just something that’s hidden; it’s something that shouldn’t be known. Why? Who or what forbids it? And the most important part… who rebels against that boundary, and what will be the consequences?
Deadline: July 15, 2026
2026 Secret Author Contest Information
Write the story in Word, Docs or preferred editing software.
EDIT it first!
Then send via email to Cia (cia@gayauthors.org) or PM (please PM Cia if you email or share via Docs to make sure she got it).
Stories will be posted via our Secret Author account.
Games will be played! Guess the Author is a fan favorite where members try to match the authors & the stories. We will also do "Favorite Forbidden Knowledge" this year. Do NOT reveal your Forbidden Knowledge of any authored content!
Yes, authors can play the games. Yes, authors can comment on their own content. Yes, authors can LIE. That is not forbidden!
Stories will be returned to the authors and the winners of the Guess the Author (Reader winner) & Favorite Forbidden Knowledge (Author winner) game will be revealed. Authors will then be able to reply to comments & reviews.
Story Rules Information
Stories must be between 1k - 30k in length.
Stories will be posted as 1 singular chapter but can be separated with double space breaks/timeline jumps.
Stories must adhere to all of GA's content & editing guidelines. Please plan for appropriate genres, GA tags, rating, and content warnings if needed.
Stories must have some use, even tangentially, of the theme "Forbidden Knowledge".
Metadata needed/must be sent in the message/email/manuscript for staff posting:
Title:
Description:
Story Note:
Chapter Note:
(Content Warning, if needed):
Genre(s) (3 Max):
Audience Rating (Everyone, Teen, Mature):
Tags (8 Max):
Event details
