The Writer Circle presents....Re:Visions!
A short story challenge and anthology project produced by our writer collective 🟣
We are excited to announce a collaborative project our collective has been quietly working on for the past two months.
Re:Visions is half anthology, half short story challenge.
This flagship project will take place over 2026 and culminate in a digital release in early 2027. It will be comprised of short stories, poetry, and art created by our members.
Re: Visions aims to mirror the drafting-to-publishing journey and hone in on what the Writer Circle does best— improving craft through peer critique and feedback.
HOW IT WORKS
Each year a theme for the publication is selected and each quarter a prompt is issued.
Shorts must utilize both the overarching theme and quarterly prompt.
Here’s what makes this anthology unique: during the three month quarter, writers upload their piece to a shared drive to receive alpha feedback from the collective (just like we do within our writing groups every month) before submitting the final draft for a proofread. At the end of each quarter we will slow release the pieces here on Substack before announcing the next prompt!
Art and Poetry are accepted on a rolling basis and must incorporate elements of the theme, while the prompt is optional.
Here’s what makes this anthology even more unique: because writing is re-writing, writers continue to gather feedback and work on their piece during the remainder of the year with the opportunity to re-submit an edited version before the final deadline in December. That final version is the one to be incorporated into the digital publication!
Our goal for this anthology is to create and collaborate across the server, utilizing the same critique and support style that is so successful within our writing groups, and to make something we’re proud of, together!
2026 THEME + Q1 PROMPT
Apropos of everything happening here on planet Earth—lost in the behemoth energetic clashes of inevitable consequence while just trying to carve out time with your keyboard, anyone?— the Chinese zodiac deemed 2026 the Year of the Fire Horse, which caught our collective attention. The fire horse embodies bold action, rapid forward movement, and disruption of the existing order. It is an energy that paves the way for new patterns, growth, change, and prosperity.
In a year where we haven’t stopped talking about Main Character Energy, like recognize like.
This year’s theme,
‘IGNIFEROUS: the fire within,’
honors the internal flame we carry within us, a burning ember with the potential to light beacons, burn bridges, and raze corrupted empires to the ground. We are all fire-bearers.
Fires are be destructive, but transformational. What often lies in the wake of destruction is an opportunity for new growth and new power structures to emerge, and our quarter one prompt sets up your characters to navigate that power.
The possibilities are endless!
Q1 Prompt: Side Quest
Take a character on an unexpected or spontaneous side quest. You can start from scratch or give us a taste of a character from a current WIP! The side quest prompt gives you the opportunity to explore the “why” behind character choices. Play with quirks and personality tropes while developing concise backstory, strong motivation, and clear stakes that make your character an active rather than passive agent.
How will your characters meet their call to action and transform challenges along their journey?
We can’t wait to find out!
Q1 shorts, poetry, and art will be released here on our Substack over the next two weeks so keep an eye out…
and happy writing everyone!
If you’d like have a go at our Q1 prompt and aren’t already a member, follow this link to join our discord server