A Three month writing challenge from April 15th to July 15th 2026
Hello and welcome to Monster Manor´s second annual writing event The Golden Spring Showers event! This is the successor to The Wet Hot Queer Summer event held last year. You can find more information on that event underneath the “writing dash” link in our header, or by checking out this page on itch.io
We have decided to no longer host the jams on itch.io’s website after an incident where many adult and queer works were delisted and taken down due to the demand of credit card processors. Monster Manor, and GSS’S host H.S. Wolfe are against censorship and want marginalized authors to have the space to write and explore fiction and host it.
Because of this, the dash works a little differently. Monster Manor is not a website capable of hosting a marketplace at this point in time, and instead aims to provide resources and communities to writers and readers alike as well as a directory for where to find works created during MM challenges and events.
Monster Manor has hosted events prior to the dashes, which you can find and read the stories of and follow authors here through our Medium page
Monster Manor offers two social avenues which you can choose to interact, find others, and post your work currently. You can sign up for and join us on our forums here on the Dashes page or you can join us on our discord community of authors and readers here
ABOUT GOLDEN SPRING SHOWERS
Welcome to the Golden Spring Showers Dash. We’re trying something a little different agains with this dash. Last year we hosted on itch.io but part way through had to switch to our own hosting system! This year the writing challenge will be hosted entirely through MM’s forums, and the discord. While the dash is a ‘writing challenge’ the only challenge is… to write! And follow the theme. The point of this dash is to get people writing, and the weirder the better, but if you want to go vanilla with it, and your pee stream runs clear, that is okay too!
You have three months to write a book from start to finish, including publication. The book may not be written prior to the draft. With that said though, MM is a disability advocate and knows life gets in the way. If you run over the clock, or submit later that’s okay too! It’s more about the journey and the community building (through a shared love of pee) that we are interested in.
DASH GUIDELINES
This is a themed dash meaning all submissions will be required to fit within the theme.
THE THEME IS Golden Spring Showers.
What does that mean? Well, the interpretation is up to you! This jam is open to all works that fit under the lgbtqi2s+ umbrella. You do not have to specify whether you as an author or just the characters in your story are queer. We also do not require your work to have romance in it, or explicitly state a gender identity or sexuality. This will work on the honor system! All your story has to embody Golden Spring Showers whatever that means to you. You can have your setting in a bathroom, or a scene with a plumbing accident, you can add kink and get Paradise Rot with it, or you can write a sentient object romance about toilet paper. It is totally up to you. If you think it fits, it fits.
Some further guidelines
♡ This dash is for eBooks specifically. Comics and other written material are also acceptable, but this jam is not intended for game submissions including visual novels.
♡ Original works only, please do not submit fanfiction
♡ Submitted works can be any length, from short stories to full novels. There are no word count minimums or maximums.
♡ This jam officially runs from April 15 to July 15, submissions must be created during this time. You can outline, plan, character create or draft however you need to prior to the summer but the final product should be made during this time period. This isn’t something I will be strict about but it’s more fun if you play along, it’s supposed to be a challenge.
♡ There are no genre or content requirements outside of the theme. All submissions will be accepted, as long as they do not violate the terms of service of whatever site you decide to host your work on, it is your own original work, and fits the theme. We do ask that you properly tag your work with content notes.
♡ Absolutely no AI may be used for any part of your work. I will know, and I will be a nightmare about it.
♡ You MUST credit anyone who worked on your book with you in the front matter, including cover artist and editor. Ideally these would also be listed on your project page.
THE LAST TWO GUIDELINES
Monster Manor does not condone the use of AI and will not willingly host or promote any works that use AI in any manner. This includes using AI to edit, using AI tools in canva for covers, using AI assets, or comissions artwork that uses AI. Unfortunately, we as a community have to do our due diligence. If you are using or hiring a source please check where they obtain asset photos from and if those sites allow AI. Please ask your editors what tools they use.
You HAVE to credit everyone who helped or worked on your book. No exceptions, If you did your own art please give yourself the accolades you deserve.
GETTING STARTED AS AN AUTHOR
Getting started as an author can be difficult, which is why Monster Manor is currently in the process of creating a database of information provided by other users on self publishing. Below you will find some information, and more can be found by visiting our dash forum or our discord.
Free assets for writing and cover design
If you’re looking for a free program to write in that isn’t google docs check out Ellipsus which promises to never use AI. Reedsy is another online writing program where you’re also able to plot, write, and format ebooks free of charge. If you’re able to though, many authors use Atticus which is a one time payment for a fairly simple program that allows you to format ebooks, PDFs and paperbacks.
For covers many authors are able to make pretty cool designs in Canva but you have to be careful with this, as canva now boasts quite a few AI features. Though it is possible to use this program without AI. For free assets for internal art, and covers, both Pexels and Unsplash have free photo resources. You can also find Creative Commons (or public domain) artwork on most museum websites or websites like Artvee.
Below is a list of individuals that Monster Manor can vouch for in the community who helped by offering services to authors last year. If you are looking for someone to hire for editing, formatting, or covers you can check the list below and seek out these folks on social media for prices and commission slots.
♡ Jun T.N – Covers, headers, and formatting
♡ Yune – Illustrated Covers
♡ Airic Fenn – Illustrated Covers, headers, spot illustrations
♡ V – Cover and insert art
♡ Vert – Editing and formatting
♡ Kal Morgan – Copy Editing
♡ Geetha Krishnan – Editing
♡ Dae Storm – Cover Art
♡ Larkin Bryne – Editing
FAQ
A quick FAQ rundown. If you have a question not answered here please e-mail me at hswolfewriting@gmail.com
Is there a min/max word count?
No.
Can I submit late?
This will be case by case, please reach out to an organizer.
If I participate in this dash will my submission still be my property?
Yes! We do not own anything you submit. This is merely a spring challenge we’re hosting to bring community together, encourage authors to write something. The focus is building community and providing opportunities to folks! Your story will always be yours and we will not own any of the rights.
I write taboo content, is that okay?
As long as it flies with the guidelines of wherever you are posting it.
Can I charge for my submission?
Yes!
Contact
Contact H.S. Wolfe
E-Mail: hswolfewriting@gmail.com
Discord: werewolfpresident
IG & bsky: wolfehorror
Contact Jun T.N.
E-Mail: isjunreading@gmail.com
Discord: skyentist_
IG & bsky: advalentinus
MONSTER MANOR
Monster Manor is a public discord community for queer indie authors and readers started in 2022. Monster Manor’s goal is to bring attention to marginalized authors as well as the indie publishing community. The discord serves as an event hub, a book club and discussion area, and author to reader connection and a resource center for authors. Anyone is welcome to join the discord
H.S. Wolfe is a trans and disabled creator who dedicates a large chunk of his time to running community events and keeping up with spaces like Monster Manor. If you appreciate their efforts, or this jam, consider buying them a ko-fi