Before submitting your case, please make sure you read the following guidelines carefully!

✦ You may choose any one of the prompts from the monthly case archive and interpret it in your own way.

✦ When submitting your entry, please mention which prompt your story is based on in the submission form.

✦ We recommend focusing on one prompt per story rather than mixing multiple prompts together.

✦ You may submit more than one story — the more mysteries, the better!

✦ At the moment, we only accept stories written in English.

✦ You are welcome to share your stories in the comments to invite others to join the fun, but only entries submitted through the official form will be considered for features and anthology selection.

✦ Please proofread your grammar and punctuation before submitting your entry.

✦ Co-authored stories are allowed, but if selected, only one author may be chosen for interviews or featured acknowledgements.

✦ Each themed case archive will remain open for approximately one month before submissions close.

✦ Not all submitted entries will be featured. Selected stories will be chosen based on creativity, storytelling, and how well they fit the mystery theme and prompt.

Submitting Your Case File

Once your story is complete, you may submit it to the Mystery Shack through the official submission form provided in this book.

Before submitting, please make sure:

✦ Your story follows the selected prompt and monthly archive.
✦ You have included the correct story link.
✦ Your submission follows all Mystery Shack guidelines.
✦ Your story is written in English.
✦ You have selected the correct prompt in the form.

Please note that sharing your story in the comments section does not count as an official submission. Only entries submitted through the official form will be reviewed for anthology features, interviews, and Mystery Shack recognitions.

Submission does not guarantee selection. Chosen entries will be selected based on creativity, storytelling, originality, and how well they fit the assigned case file.

Submission Form

Most importantly — have fun, trust your instincts, and let your imagination lead the investigation.