Everyone falls in love... but what happens when the love you’re hiding could destroy everything?

In this contest, we challenge you to write a story where romance and danger collide. Let love bloom in the shadows between enemies, within a scandal, or in the midst of a crime no one dares speak of.

Make us feel the passion, the fear, the temptation… and the price they must pay.

Genres allowed: Romance, Drama, Thriller (or a blend of all!)

Word count: 800 – 5000 words

Language: English or Kiswahili

Deadline: 3 weeks

Prize: Winner gets a full feature on the Penana front page + special shoutout. 

💡 Sample Teaser (Just for Inspiration):

"He was the detective. She was the suspect. Falling in love was not part of the plan..."

Now it’s your turn: surprise us, thrill us, and break our hearts.

🌟 Special Thanks & Shout-out to Our Previous Winners!

💫 1st Place: the story designer – Shadows of the past

💫 2nd Place: the story designer – The Forgotten Throne

💫 3rd Place: Unusual Alignment – Bluemoon Scriptor

Thank you all for your powerful, emotional, and unforgettable stories. You made the last contest shine ✨

Ready for the next challenge? Let’s make it even bigger...