Xnotus Canon Writing Competitions
A Writing Competition Where Your Story Can Become Canon.
One story begins. Selected writers imagine what happens next. Readers discover the finalist continuations anonymously and vote for the one they believe deserves to continue the story.
One continuation becomes the official next chapter.
Canon #001 is currently being prepared as a limited founding competition. Public submissions are not yet open.
What Does “Canon” Mean?
Canon is the official version of what happens next in a story.
In a traditional writing competition, a writer wins a prize.
In a Xnotus Canon competition, something else happens too: the winning continuation becomes part of the official story. The next chapter begins from what the winning writer created.
You aren't only competing for first place. You could determine where the story goes next.
How a Xnotus Canon Competition Works
- 01
A Story Begins
Xnotus releases an original opening story. Every selected writer begins from the same moment.
- 02
Writers Continue It
Selected writers independently create their own continuation. For the founding format, planned submissions are 500–1,500 words. Each writer decides where the characters, mystery and conflict go next.
- 03
Readers Decide
Finalist continuations are presented anonymously. Readers evaluate the stories without seeing which writer created which continuation. One reader. One Canon vote. No paid voting power.
- 04
One Becomes Canon
The winning continuation becomes the official next chapter. The writer is revealed. The story can then continue from the newly established Canon.
StoryWritersReadersCanonContinue
Canon #001
The First Canon Story Is Coming
The Inheritance
A father dies unexpectedly.
He leaves one child $500,000.
The younger brother receives nothing.
Then the attorney hands the heir a private note written by their father:
“Do not give your brother any of this money. Someday you will understand why.”
Outside the attorney's office, the brother asks:
“What does the note say?”
What happens next?
That's where the writers take over. Selected founding writers will each imagine a different continuation. Readers will ultimately decide which future deserves to become Canon.
More Than a Writing Contest
Create
Take an opening moment and make it yours.
Compete
Your continuation stands beside other interpretations of the same story.
Be Chosen
Readers decide which continuation deserves to become official.
Become Canon
If your continuation wins, the story continues from what you wrote.
Xnotus is being built around writers whose ideas don't simply receive likes—they can change the direction of a living story.
Let the Story Speak First.
During Canon voting, finalist identities are hidden. Readers see the stories—not follower counts, popularity or social status.
- Anonymous finalists
- One account, one vote
- No paid voting advantage
- No live popularity rankings during voting
- Writer identities revealed after the result
The goal is simple: choose the continuation that deserves to become Canon.
Who Should Apply?
You don't need to be a famous author. We're interested in storytellers with imagination, emotional instinct and the ability to make readers want one more chapter.
- Short-fiction writers
- Aspiring novelists
- Screenwriters
- Creative-writing students
- Online fiction writers
- Romance writers
- Mystery and thriller writers
- Drama writers
- Emerging storytellers
Follower count is not the deciding factor. We are looking for compelling storytelling.
Become One of Xnotus's Founding Writers
Xnotus is preparing its first Canon competition with a small founding group of writers. Founding writers will help us test a new way for stories, writers and readers to interact.
This is an early-stage creative experiment. We are deliberately starting small.
Applying expresses interest and does not guarantee selection.
Writer Awards
Writer compensation and Canon #001 award details are being finalized and will be provided before selected writers commit to participation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Five Writers Can See Five Different Futures.
Which One Becomes Real?
Xnotus is preparing its first Canon writing competition. If you believe you can take a single moment and turn it into a continuation readers won't forget, we'd like to hear from you.
Canon #001 — The Inheritance · In Preparation