Tired of trying to keep your publishing community engaged? Community Challenges are your solution. Spark creativity and connection with easy, ready-to-use challenge prompts that get everyone involved.
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Community Challenges leverage the power of shared goals and friendly competition, proven methods for increasing member participation. When members see others engaging in a fun or educational task, they are more likely to join in themselves, reducing hesitation and boosting overall activity.
In the publishing industry, such challenges tap into members' love for storytelling, editing, and literary exploration. This approach turns passive members into active contributors, helping them bond over common interests and celebrate small achievements together. Recognition and rewards, even if simple, amplify motivation and keep the momentum strong.
Flash Fiction Challenge: Write a story in exactly 50 words. Share yours below.
💡 Example: "Flash Fiction Challenge: Write a story in exactly 50 words. Share yours below."
Cover Redesign: Pick a favorite book and create a new cover for it. Post your design.
💡 Example: "Cover Redesign: Pick a favorite book and create a new cover for it. Post your design."
Quote Hunt: Find a powerful quote from a book you love. Post it here.
💡 Example: "Quote Hunt: Find a powerful quote from a book you love. Post it here."
Weekly Writing Prompt: Use the word 'mystery' in a short poem.
💡 Example: "Weekly Writing Prompt: Use the word 'mystery' in a short poem."
Reading Bingo: Mark off one square by reading a new genre this week.
💡 Example: "Reading Bingo: Mark off one square by reading a new genre this week."
Book Stack Photo: Share a photo of your current to-read pile.
💡 Example: "Book Stack Photo: Share a photo of your current to-read pile."
Editing Sprint: Set a timer for 20 minutes and edit as much as you can. How did it go?
💡 Example: "Editing Sprint: Set a timer for 20 minutes and edit as much as you can. How did it go?"
First Line Challenge: Write a compelling first line for a story.
💡 Example: "First Line Challenge: Write a compelling first line for a story."
Bookish Scavenger Hunt: Find a book with a blue cover and share the title.
💡 Example: "Bookish Scavenger Hunt: Find a book with a blue cover and share the title."
Genre Swap: Read outside your comfort zone and share your thoughts.
💡 Example: "Genre Swap: Read outside your comfort zone and share your thoughts."
Write a book blurb for a non-existent story using only three sentences.
💡 Example: "Write a book blurb for a non-existent story using only three sentences."
Favorite Character Showdown: Who is your all-time favorite book character?
💡 Example: "Favorite Character Showdown: Who is your all-time favorite book character?"
Book Dedication: Invent a dedication for your next book.
💡 Example: "Book Dedication: Invent a dedication for your next book."
Review Remix: Rewrite a classic book review in haiku form.
💡 Example: "Review Remix: Rewrite a classic book review in haiku form."
Cover Reveal Guess: Share a blurred cover and let others guess the book.
💡 Example: "Cover Reveal Guess: Share a blurred cover and let others guess the book."
Title Swap: Combine two book titles to make a funny new one.
💡 Example: "Title Swap: Combine two book titles to make a funny new one."
Write a story based on the last sentence of the last book you read.
💡 Example: "Write a story based on the last sentence of the last book you read."
Book Playlist: Create a playlist for your favorite novel.
💡 Example: "Book Playlist: Create a playlist for your favorite novel."
Reading Location: Share a photo of your cozy reading spot.
💡 Example: "Reading Location: Share a photo of your cozy reading spot."
Unpopular Opinion: Share a book you did not like and why.
💡 Example: "Unpopular Opinion: Share a book you did not like and why."
Write a thank you note to your favorite author.
💡 Example: "Write a thank you note to your favorite author."
Literary Costume: Describe or share a photo of a book-inspired costume.
💡 Example: "Literary Costume: Describe or share a photo of a book-inspired costume."
Blind Date with a Book: Recommend a book without naming it.
💡 Example: "Blind Date with a Book: Recommend a book without naming it."
Speed Reading Challenge: How many pages can you read in 15 minutes?
💡 Example: "Speed Reading Challenge: How many pages can you read in 15 minutes?"
Book Emoji Game: Describe a book title using only emojis.
💡 Example: "Book Emoji Game: Describe a book title using only emojis."
Rewrite History: Change one event in a famous novel. What changes?
💡 Example: "Rewrite History: Change one event in a famous novel. What changes?"
Book vs. Movie: Which adaptation got it right? Share your pick.
💡 Example: "Book vs. Movie: Which adaptation got it right? Share your pick."
Favorite Opening Line: Share the first line of a book that grabbed you.
💡 Example: "Favorite Opening Line: Share the first line of a book that grabbed you."
Speed Edit: Find a typo in your work and fix it in 5 minutes.
💡 Example: "Speed Edit: Find a typo in your work and fix it in 5 minutes."
Book Soundtrack: If your current read had a theme song, what would it be?
💡 Example: "Book Soundtrack: If your current read had a theme song, what would it be?"
Write a micro-memoir about your reading journey in 100 words.
💡 Example: "Write a micro-memoir about your reading journey in 100 words."
Book Spine Poetry: Stack books to create a poem from their titles.
💡 Example: "Book Spine Poetry: Stack books to create a poem from their titles."
Describe your work-in-progress using only three words.
💡 Example: "Describe your work-in-progress using only three words."
Buddy Read: Pair up with another member and read the same book this week.
💡 Example: "Buddy Read: Pair up with another member and read the same book this week."
Book Club Icebreaker: Share your favorite reading snack.
💡 Example: "Book Club Icebreaker: Share your favorite reading snack."
Write a letter from the villain's perspective.
💡 Example: "Write a letter from the villain's perspective."
Favorite Childhood Book: What book sparked your love of reading?
💡 Example: "Favorite Childhood Book: What book sparked your love of reading?"
Review in GIFs: Summarize your latest read using only GIFs.
💡 Example: "Review in GIFs: Summarize your latest read using only GIFs."
Pass the Pen: Add one sentence to our group story. Continue from the last comment.
💡 Example: "Pass the Pen: Add one sentence to our group story. Continue from the last comment."
Share your best writing tip for staying motivated.
💡 Example: "Share your best writing tip for staying motivated."
Book Haul: What new books did you get this month? Show us your haul.
💡 Example: "Book Haul: What new books did you get this month? Show us your haul."
Plot Twist Challenge: Write a plot twist for a well-known fairy tale.
💡 Example: "Plot Twist Challenge: Write a plot twist for a well-known fairy tale."
Choose a challenge template that fits your community's interests and current events. Announce it with clear instructions, set a deadline, and highlight any rewards or recognition. Encourage members to share their progress or results in comments or dedicated threads. Feature standout contributions and celebrate participation to keep engagement high.
These templates work across all platforms. Adapt challenge lengths and visuals to suit the platform's format. Use pinned posts or stories for visibility. Leverage hashtags or threads for easy tracking and sharing.
Frame your challenge around sharing the first chapter of a work-in-progress, and set clear guidelines for feedback using common editorial terminology (e.g., pacing, voice, narrative arc). Encourage members to use track changes or commenting features, and consider spotlighting a 'Critique of the Week' to model best practices and foster a supportive editing environment.
Create a challenge post inviting authors to submit their working titles and brief synopses. Use the template to set up a structured comment thread where editors and community members can suggest alternative titles, referencing popular publishing trends or genre conventions. Consider running a poll for the top suggestions to boost engagement and showcase industry insights.
Modify the template prompts to request authors submit their query letters for peer review. Encourage feedback using industry keywords such as 'comp titles,' 'hook,' and 'market positioning.' You can also invite literary agents or editors in the community to provide professional insights, further increasing the value of the challenge.
Yes, the templates can be tailored for cover design competitions by asking participants to submit potential covers along with genre and target audience details. Prompt comments to focus on elements like typography, market fit, and shelf appeal, referencing examples from recent publishing successes. This encourages practical, industry-relevant critiques.
Structure your challenge to present case studies or firsthand experiences from both traditional and self-published authors. Use publishing-specific criteria such as distribution channels, royalty structures, and marketing support. Encourage respectful, evidence-based discussion, and highlight resources for members considering their own publishing journey.
Use the templates to guide members in crafting concise, industry-standard pitches (e.g., elevator pitch, logline, or back cover blurb). Ask for feedback from peers with a focus on clarity, genre alignment, and commercial potential—mirroring what agents look for. You can even invite guest agents or editors to give live reactions, offering a valuable, authentic publishing experience.
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