Black Bear Summer Prompt and Writing Contest

Tell me your best story regarding addiction, recovery, or mental health

Imagine you are lounging by the ocean writing your story — Photo by Michele Maize

Hi Black Bear writers!

Since Medium got rid of the Boost Nomination Program, I have noticed a decline in the number of stories. I think writers might be a little discouraged. I’d love to know how you are feeling. Let me know in the comments.

I decided to make a very broad prompt with many avenues for a story this month and introduce a seasonal writing contest. While we have a few months of summer left, I wanted to ramp up the morale around here with a contest.

Write a story about one of three subjects:

• Addiction — How did you get addicted to substances, alcohol, gambling, smoking, sex, or technology? Are you still addicted? How did you turn your life around?
• Recovery — How did you recover from addiction? Are you in recovery with a mental health disorder? Did you self-harm and are now in recovery? Did you have an eating disorder and now you are healthy?
• Mental Health — Tell me about life before diagnosis. Tell me about your diagnosis and how it affected you. What were the solutions you were presented with?
• Depression — Do you experience depression at certain times of the year? How does summertime make you feel? How do you combat a major depressive time?

This story can also be about a loved one, doesn’t necessarily have to be about you. If it is about a loved one, how did it affect you?

I want to know about you. Something personal and vulnerable. I want it to be deep and evoke emotion. And yes, this is possible if talking about a loved one who suffers from addiction, depression, or anything related.

The lucky winner with the best story of the summer will receive $50, sent either via snail mail or Venmo. Stories that will be in the running will also receive a feature, to hopefully bring more readers to your story. Black Bear will pick a top 5 and then a winner to report during the first week of September.

You have July and August to submit your story for the contest. I will announce the winner in the first week of September.

Remember — submit a draft after you have proofread and grammar-checked your piece. If I suspect AI and have checked several AI sources, your story will get an automatic decline.

What makes a good story at Black Bear?

• A strong title that tells you what the story will be about but also can contain a little mystery to draw you in. Not clickbait but something unique. A descriptive or thought-evoking subtitle.
• A strong narrative of personal reflection. Be vulnerable. Tell the story as if you are talking to me and sharing your life.
• A relative photo that completes the story. Personal photos are always great, as well.
• A beginning and ending that tie together.

For an example, I will use a story of mine. This is my top-earning story that did pretty well a few years ago. It was very personal, raw, and relatable to anyone struggling with the same issues. Readers seem to like those stories, and I like them as well. Don’t be afraid to lay it all out in a story. It also helps your recovery!

[embed]The Slow Suicide of Drinking Yourself to Death Somehow I clawed my way out unlike my family membersmedium.com

When you submit your draft, add a private note to be entered into the contest. If you happen to forget this step and your story is worthy to be in the running, I will go ahead and leave you a private note.

Happy Summer! Can’t wait to read all of your stories.