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Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/13538-2026-Kickoff.html
Noticing Newbies: January 07, 2026 Issue [#13538]




 This week: 2026 Kickoff
  Edited by: Jeff Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

"You never know what you can do until you try,
and very few try unless they have to."
— C.S. Lewis
About The Editor: Greetings! My name is Jeff Author IconMail Icon and I'm one of the regular editors of the official Noticing Newbies Newsletter! I've been a member of Writing.com since 2003, and have edited more than 400 newsletters across the site in that time. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me directly or submit feedback in the comment box at the bottom of this newsletter.


Letter from the editor

2026 Kickoff

It's the beginning of a new year (at least according to the Gregorian calendar!), which also means that it's the time of year where a bunch of new activities get announced here on Writing.com. While writers will often make resolutions about writing more in the new year, those of us who organize activities here on the site often make resolutions about running activities to encourage that writing, and January is kind of a natural place to start; especially for longer-form activities.

If you're looking to get plugged into the larger Writing.com community this year and for opportunities to showcase your writing, this is the newsletter for you, because here is a not-at-all-comprehensive-but-still-quite-large list of some of the things going on around the site in early 2026!


Running now:

 
SURVEY
Dear Me: Official WDC Contest Open in new Window. (E)
What are *your* goals for the new year? Think it over, write a letter and win big prizes!
#597313 by Writing.Com Support Author IconMail Icon


FORUM
The Quills Open in new Window. (ASR)
The Quills home page. General information, links and donations.
#1376303 by Jeff Author IconMail Icon


FORUM
26 Paychecks  Open in new Window. (E)
Play along and collect a paycheck every two weeks.
#2350256 by Annette Author IconMail Icon


FORUM
Anniversary Reviews Open in new Window. (E)
Help members celebrate another year of membership by sending them Anniversary Reviews.
#1565040 by Annette Author IconMail Icon


FORUM
Cards Against Authors Open in new Window. (18+)
A poetry game inspired by Cards Against Humanity! Now open!
#2045467 by Jayne Author IconMail Icon


FORUM
PromptMaster ! Open in new Window. (18+)
A relaxed writing competition inspired by Taskmaster! January round open!
#2329438 by Jayne Author IconMail Icon


FORUM
The Bradbury Open in new Window. (E)
If you write 52 short stories, one of them's bound to be great... right? Let's find out!
#2277001 by Jeff Author IconMail Icon


FORUM
The Science Fiction Short Story Contest Open in new Window. (18+)
A contest inspired by the serious need for more good sci-fi
#2140378 by BlackAdder Author IconMail Icon


FORUM
Horror Writing Contest Open in new Window. (13+)
A contest involving writing a horror story. Simple, really.
#2273172 by S🤦‍♂️ Author IconMail Icon


FORUM
Hook of the Book Open in new Window. (18+)
Can you write the most engaging opening sentence for a story? Round 30!Open!
#2293351 by Jeremy Author IconMail Icon


FORUM
Rach's Reading Club Open in new Window. (E)
Where all you have to do is read books to receive awesome prizes.
#2261482 by Choconut Author IconMail Icon


FORUM
Question of the Day! Open in new Window. (18+)
Come answer a question, share a laugh, encourage one another, and bring me a TimTam!
#2142667 by S🤦‍♂️ Author IconMail Icon



Coming in February:

SURVEY
Journey Through Genres: Official Contest Open in new Window. (E)
Write a short story in the given genre to win big prizes!
#1803133 by Writing.Com Support Author IconMail Icon


GROUP
Daily Writing Challenge Open in new Window. (E)
Can you write every day? Well then, sign up and prove it. February 2026 Challenge
#799460 by Wannabe Author IconMail Icon

FORUM
The Soundtrack of Your Life Open in new Window. (18+)
Every February, you're invited to chronicle the music that has influenced your life!
#1970896 by Jeff Author IconMail Icon



In the activities above you'll find everything from daily challenges to review or answer questions, to contests with some really intriguing and unusual prompts, to year-long activities that will really test your endurance and commitment to write. And this is just a small sample of the things that are going on right now (or soon) at Writing.com.

If you're looking for ways to get involved, or motivations to write in 2026, please check some of them out!

Until next time,

Jeff Author IconMail Icon
Logo for Senior Moderators - small
If you're interested in checking out my work:
"New & Noteworthy Things" Open in new Window. | "Blogocentric Formulations" Open in new Window.


Editor's Picks

This month's official Writing.com writing contest is:

 
SURVEY
Dear Me: Official WDC Contest Open in new Window. (E)
What are *your* goals for the new year? Think it over, write a letter and win big prizes!
#597313 by Writing.Com Support Author IconMail Icon


You are also invited to check out these items from members of the community:

 Raising Monsters Open in new Window. (E)
Watching the prey become the predator.
#2352565 by Wildflower B. I. C. Author IconMail Icon


 Architect Of Dreams Open in new Window. (18+)
A man learns that his late daughter has been keeping an eye on him from the afterlife.
#2352534 by J. R. Claxton Author IconMail Icon


 four lettered Open in new Window. (E)
enemies to lovers and back
#2352531 by unwritten Author IconMail Icon


 I Bleed in Ink Open in new Window. (E)
Believe this is my best work in years but I'm dying to hear opinions of other writers.
#2352476 by B. Clell Author IconMail Icon


 The fading bloom Open in new Window. (18+)
The story of repercussion
#2352409 by Lilystar.com Author IconMail Icon


 Dark Misty Meadow Open in new Window. (E)
harmony with nature, reflective
#2352406 by Silent Sound Author IconMail Icon


 My Muse  Open in new Window. (E)
Prompt from Writing Resources - Two four line poems about your muse.1- rhymes 1-doesn't
#2352379 by Sara Zen Author IconMail Icon


 What remains of ash Open in new Window. (E)
a teen was in a militia with his dad they were sent on an impossible mission and betrayed
#2352308 by Jacob Garcia Author IconMail Icon


 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
         https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Ask & Answer

Feedback from "Noticing Newbies Newsletter (December 10, 2025)" Open in new Window. about MacGuffins:
Thanks. I am happy to learn: The MacGuffin is one of the most popular plot devices, found especially in mysteries and thrillers." This is something completely new to me. Thanks again.
         — The Uplifting Essayist Author Icon


Interesting to find there is a word for those items.
         — Ichabod Crane Author Icon

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