Encased in its hydrostatic bubble, Celeste is a hub of culture and entertainment. It seems there is always something to see among its many venues and districts. Using one of the prompts below, tell your character’s story as they explore some facet of this underwater city. Maybe they go to see a show, or perhaps come out as a thespian themselves! Or is it the darker side of the city that they explore?

Prompt 1: Walk About Town
With so much to see in Celeste, how could you not go exploring? Watch a show, or join it! Enjoy the chic restaurants and stroll the plethora of parks. This is the stuff that people come to Celeste for! Or at least, so they advertise.

Prompt 2: Lives of the Rich & Famous
In addition to its title as cultural epicenter, Celeste is a getaway for the rich (and possibly famous) of Naruba City over on the mainland, so it is expected that many of them hobnob with their fellow elites at galas, dinners, and galleries. Your character has been invited, through grace of connections or some convincing subterfuge, to one such event. Is it a pretty party, or the gateway to politicking and corruption?

Prompt 3: Slumming It
Rather than embroil yourself with the garish sights and sounds of the entertainment districts, or the posh scenery of the business tycoons’ estates, you’ve decided to take a walk around the edge of the hydrostatic bubble. These are the “deprived areas”, where Celeste’s workforce resides. While by no means a dank, dark place full of skullduggery and mischief, there is a distinctly different atmosphere than amongst the glitz and glam. What does your character happen upon, and how deep does this rabbit hole go?

Submission & Grading

• 500 words minimum is required for valid entries, with no maximum word count limit.
• Preferred submission is PDF format, but Word docs and text-box submissions will also be accepted. Google Doc links will NOT be accepted. Please put the chosen prompt in the file name or at the beginning of the text. Example: Prompt1Fiction.pdf
• Grading will be done in accordance with the Fiction Grading Rubric.
• Use of other people’s characters is permitted, but make sure you have their permission to do so.
• Adult content is permitted, but do NOT publish the submission if it includes such content. A friendly warning to the organizer is recommended.
• Third Level Crescents will be available to the top three placements, and Clusters of Ice will be applied in accordance with individual word counts. Ties from rubric grading will be broken by grader's preference.