Travel Writing Competition 2022: “Wrong Turns” $150 Top Prize

writing competition, Intrepid Times is inviting travelers and writers from all countries, at all levels of writing experience, to explore this idea.

Dear writer,

Every once in a while, we, as travelers, make decisions that take us in unintended directions. These wrong turns may be as simple as going left when we should go right, taking the local bus when we know we should fly, or deciding to head off in a random direction for a long weekend away. 

The decisions we make don’t always pan out in the way we had hoped, but these mistakes can turn into meaningful travel experiences that lead to new discoveries or connections. A risk or moment of poor judgment may feel reckless one moment and inspiring the next, a paradox that can lead us to travel more conscientiously in the future while continuing to cultivate a growing sense of adventure. 

Sometimes our wrong turns ultimately teach us the right lessons.

For our latest writing competition, Intrepid Times is inviting travelers and writers from all countries, at all levels of writing experience, to explore this idea.

Write an original, factual, first-person travel story about a time you made a decision or took a risk while traveling that got you lost, landed you somewhere you didn’t intend, or led to a new discovery, realization, or connection.

Your story should be between 1000 and 1500 words. Editors will be looking for originality, voice, and a satisfying story that captures attention and makes use of imagery to pull the reader along at every step. 

One winner and up to three runners-up will be selected and have their work published on Intrepid Times. The winner will be paid a cash-prize of US $150, while the runners up will be paid US $50.

Entry is free of charge to all writers. 

The deadline to submit your writing for the “Wrong Turns Travel Writing Competition” is April 30, 2022. 

Winners and runners-up will be announced in June, and payment will be made to each winner/finalist on the day their selected story is published.

Please select the relevant option below to submit your story:

Free Entry

Your submission will be considered on its merits. You will not receive feedback on your writing unless you are selected as a winner or runner-up

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