The pen is mightier than the sword.
-- Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton
The pen is mightier than the sword.
Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton
Since 1982 the Bulwer Lytton Fiction Contest has challenged participants to write an atrocious opening sentence to a hypothetical bad novel. We invite you to learn more about us, peruse the odious archives, and of course, submit an entry.
2020 Grand Prize Winner
Her Dear John missive flapped unambiguously in the windy breeze, hanging like a pizza menu on the doorknob of my mind.
The winner of the XXVIIth Lytonniad is Lisa Kluber of San Francisco. When she's not writing or yelling at her kids, she spends her time these days trying to hunt down hand sanitizer and Clorox wipes. (We relate!)
Congratulations, Lisa! See all the winners and dishonorable mentions from this our 37th <gasp> year.
Welcome, Noble Bulweriers!
The Best of the Worst
The contest has spawned four books featuring selections from the contest entries. The books are now out of print (such is the state of our country today), but you may be able to secure copies for yourself and your innumerable admirers from the links below.
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