CanonBoard presents

SANDBOX

Seven writers. The same three things.

Pick one of five element sets. Write a short pitch or scene that uses all three of its elements — any genre, any tone, 300–1,200 words. Selected pieces are published in the next volume.

Volume 1Submissions close September 30, 2026

1 · Choose your three

Pick one set. Every element in it has to appear in the piece.

Set 1

An 80-year-old man·An unopened letter marked "to my love"·A kid on a bike

Set 2

A woman who hasn't slept in nine days·A borrowed suit·The last bus of the night

Set 3

A locksmith·A key that fits nothing·A town where it hasn't rained in a year

Set 4

Two brothers who stopped speaking·A photograph with someone cut out of it·A power outage

Set 5

A night-shift nurse·A dog that barks at an empty room·A wedding ring in a pawnshop window

2 · Write it

Title of the piece

The piece0 / 1,200 words

300–1,200 words. Your draft is saved in this browser as you type.

3 · You

Full name

Pen name / byline

One link

One-line bio0 / 200

I am 18 years of age or older.

I agree to the Sandbox submission terms.

Email me when new volumes open. (Optional — we won’t use your address for anything else.)

You’ll get a confirmation email with a copy of what you sent.