What is the 53-Word Writing Contest?
Press 53 hosts a monthly, fun, free writing contest; the winners are published in Prime Number Magazine and receive a free book from Press 53. Once you subscribe to their email, on the first day of the month, you will receive free updates on the winner of the previous contest and a prompt for the next one. This contest is open to everyone around the world who speaks English.
Prompts are a fun way to challenge my writing skills and participate in a contest. Writing a complete story arc in 53 words is certainly a challenge!
Prompt for February 2026
The February 2026 prompt, per the Press 53 website:
“I’ve got a feeling about February, deep in my gut. Maybe it’s the weather. You might see snow this month. Then you might watch it melt, running off wherever it goes, seeping into the ground toward roots and dormant life. Or maybe I have the flu and ought to go wash my hands.
Write a 53-word story about a sink.“
HINT: You are strongly encouraged not to write about the first idea that comes into your mind, since others will think of that too. Instead, think outside the box and try to surprise the readers.
My Thoughts
As I imagined sinking, I thought of a whale fall. This is an event that occurs when a whale carcass falls to the ocean floor. Many creatures take advantage of this bounty and feast on the whale’s remains. The food supply in the deep-sea can be scarce, and nothing will go to waste.
My Contest Entry
Account Settled
After a century of crossing oceans, her voyage ended with teeth sinking into blubbery flesh; her lifeless body bobbed, then slipped beneath the waves.
A slow spiral carried her toward the seafloor. Lobsters, crabs, and scavengers gathered for the bounty.
A lifetime of consumption, followed by two years giving back to the sea.
Contest Results
Adrian Bresler wrote the winning entry, and you can read it here. I like how she related sinking and souffles! There are so many ways to interpret the prompt, which makes reading the winning entries exciting!
Consider giving this contest a try!
Prompt for March 2026
The March 2026 prompt, per the Press 53 website:
“This month, let’s impose a task on someone, or give them a card to buy something, or bring a dead appliance back to life, maybe accuse someone of a crime, or give the order to advance with aggression. Are you confused? Let’s clear the air by assigning the first item on our list.
Write a 53-word story about a charge.“
Entries are due March 15, 2026!
Whale Fall Studies
The US Navy discover5ed the first abyssal whale fall on February 19, 1977 (Vetter, 2015). Abyssal means the carcass was located on the ocean floor at a depth of 13,000 – 20,000 feet (4,000 – 6,000 meters). The ocean floor is in perpetual darkness at this depth. Only the skeleton remained and the carcass was determined to be that of a gray whale.
Scientists study new ecosystems established around whale falls. New species have been discovered, and some are believed to be found only at whale falls. To enhance scientific knowledge, natural, implanted, and fossilized whale falls have been extensively examined. One interesting observation is that the density of scavengers on the carcass tends to peak during the day, while predators peak during the night. This behavior separates the two groups, reducing conflict.
Whale falls are a fascinating site to study recycling nutrients, carbon sinks, and biodiversity.
References
- Vetter, Tom (2015). 30,000 Leagues Undersea: True Tales of a Submariner and Deep Submergence Pilot. Tom Vetter Books, LLC. ISBN 978-1-941160-10-7.
- Aguzzi, J.; Fanelli, E.; Ciuffardi, T.; Schirone, A.; De Leo, F. C.; Doya, C.; Kawato, M.; Miyazaki, M.; Furushima, Y.; Costa, C.; Fujiwara, Y. (24 July 2018). “Faunal activity rhythms influencing early community succession of an implanted whale carcass offshore Sagami Bay, Japan”. Scientific Reports. 8 (1): 11163. Bibcode:2018NatSR…811163A. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-29431-5. PMC 6057991. PMID 30042515.
