It all begins with an idea.

Picture this if you will: You are taking the reigns of Cillian Knights world. You will be writing a 500-5000 word short story, using the environment you experienced in Wright to Jail.

The theme is freedom, and free it shall be to submit.

Zero cost required. Limit up to 2 submissions

Have you ever wanted to write a story but told yourself “I’m not that creative” or “I wouldn't even know where to start.” Well, below is a great little outline anyone can follow with a bit of effort and intention. (This project is intended for those who’ve already read the first four chapters of Wright to Jail.

First you need bones: Fill the 24 hour day with a loose schedule of what Cillian Knight will do.

Where to choose from:

• T.V. Area,

• Walking Laps,

• At the Tables,

• On the Phone,

• In the Cell,

• In the Shower {“(. ) (. )”},

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• Will there be a multi-day lockdown where he is forced to be confined to an 8X10 cell with your character?

• {“Will you decide it’s beef stroganoff day then make me watch T.V. and let quiet stinky farts go while pretending to be disgusted and look around like everyone else?”}

Cillian, you gross sicko, get the fuck out of here! Oops, pardon my French but this is an edgy world we’re dabbling in.

Will you use any of the items available:

• Chess,

• Cards,

• Dominoes,

• Handball (courtyard only),

• Paper/Golf Pencil/Colored Pencils,

• Pills,

• Books,

• Nail Clippers.

• Will you turn in your I.D. to use a Single Blade Razor?

Clarity #1: Starting your writing adventure is easy, just pick a place and item.

Second, add the meat and potatoes: start to write yourself (or the character you make up) into the environment and activities with Cillian Knight. You are writing this from Cillian Knights perspective, we won’t hear your characters thoughts directly. (don’t forget, you can always return to the cell and ask Cillian Knight questions about himself if you need to learn more)

Clarity#2: You’ve already decided where and what Cillian Knight will be doing, now you just have to decide how to introduce yourself to him (or him to you). Example: In chapter 2 when Los calls out to the people walking laps that they need a 4th player for spades, that would be a perfect way to introduce yourself into the story.

Third, add the flavoring and create a villain for the chapter. Make that villain one of the enemies you have or had in your life. Now you will either torture and humiliate them, or forgive and empathize with them.

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Clarity #3: Use the same concept from Clarity 2 to introduce your enemy into the story.

Clarity chapter 3 verse 14: Yay verily I say unto you….By now you should have Where, What, and Who. I feel confident that you will be able to make your short story come alive with the Why. (There is no time here so we are skipping the When)

“Can you give me a little more clarity, but a little cleaner to reference later when I start my project”:

• You or your character has their freedom taken away for committing (Insert Crime Here).

• Your villain has their freedom taken away for committing (Insert Crime Here).

• Where in jail will Cillian Knight meet you? Where will he meet your enemy? Where will he encounter both at the same time.

• How are your characters being introduced to the audience? What are they like?

• What kind of stories do you have from life that you can incorporate into this world?

• What conflicts arise? What kind of resolution (If any) happens?

• What ultimately happens to the villain?

Writing Contest Cut Into Slices — Official Guidelines

• Eligibility

  • Open to all writers, regardless of experience.

  • You do not need to have published before to enter.

  • Must be 18 or older

• Entry Cost

  • Free to enter.

  • No purchase required.

• Submission Limit

  • Up to two (2) submissions per person.

• Word Count

  • Minimum 500 words

  • Maximum 5,000 words or so.

• Setting & World

  • All entries must take place within the world of Wright to Jail.

  • The environment, routines, and limitations of jail should be respected.

  • You may invent new scenes, interactions, and characters within that world.

• Point of View

  • Stories must be written from Cillian Knight’s perspective.

  • Your character may appear in the story, but their thoughts are not directly narrated.

• Theme

  • The central theme is freedom, its loss, its illusion, its recovery, or its absence.

  • Stories may explore psychological, emotional, or spiritual freedom.

• Structure (Recommended)

  • Choose at least one jail location where events unfold.

  • Include at least one object available within the jail environment.

  • Introduce one additional character (you or a created character).

  • Introduce one antagonist or opposing force.

  • Explore conflict and consequence.

  • Resolution is optional.

• Villain Requirement

  • Each story must include a villain or adversarial presence.

  • This villain may be based on a real person, a past version of yourself, or an internal force.

  • The villain must either be confronted, forgiven, or transformed.

• Tone & Content

  • Mature themes are allowed. (no rape scenes)

  • Dark humor is permitted.

  • Gratuitous hate speech or graphic violence without narrative purpose will be disqualified.

• Originality

  • All submissions must be original work.

  • Plagiarism or AI-generated stories are not permitted.

  • By submitting, you confirm the work is your own.

• Rights & Publication

  • You retain full ownership of your work.

  • By entering, you grant permission for selected entries to be published on amancutintoslices.com with credit.

• Judging Criteria

  • Emotional honesty

  • Creative use of the setting

  • Engagement with the theme of freedom

  • Clarity of conflict and intention

  • Overall impact

• Prize

  • The first and second place prize is 10% of all income generated during the contest submissions period from the following:

    • Donations and sponsorships through BuyMeACoffee.com/ShaneWright

• Contest submissions period

  • Contest submissions are open from 4:44 PM 09-22-2026 through 12-21-2026 4:44 AM May 17th 2026

  • Review of submissions and a winner declared now later than 03-20-2027.

  • Cillian Knight will choose 4 submissions from the contest.

  • The other inmates of The Knight Prism Penitentiary will vote on one of the winners between those 4, and Shane Wright will choose the other.

• Submission Method

  • Entries must be submitted through the official form on this site, or emailed to ShaneWright@AManCutIntoSlices.com

Good luck, and have fun!