Music Challenge 2026 - Official Support Thread

[Trionyx]

The first of your weekly reminders…

16 weeks to go until submissions begin.

In a tribute to our Emily,
We will write a limerick or three.
And they will all hinge,
On this fun challenge.
So come back here next week and you’ll see.

 

[BladeSeanchai]

Only 16 weeks

 

[Kumquatqueen]

Only 16 weeks

112 sleeps until singy story time!

I've recently got onto writing again, but there's too many challenges for my speed. Unless there's a song to fit one of my current drafts...

Edit: Placebo's Nancy Boy overlaps pretty well with one of them, while subverting the lyrics (straight sissy maid loving his mistress and would never leave the house, as opposed to the song's confident bisexual androgyny going out on the town)...

 

[BladeSeanchai]

I have considered the Dire Srraits version of Romeo and Juliette but haven’t had time to really come up with anything solid yet.
The other challenges have preoccupied.

 

[Rob_Royale]

I have considered the Dire Srraits version of Romeo and Juliette but haven’t had time to really come up with anything solid yet.
The other challenges have preoccupied.

Same here. And then there's the real-life shit that keeps me away from the keyboard. I'll be lucky to get one story done this year for the challenges/contests I want to participate in.

 

[Trionyx]

Fifteen weeks to go until submissions with a nod to the under eighteen rule...

Before you give your writing a whirl,
And submit your best creative pearl,
Even if it’s hidden,
It is forbidden,
To write stories about ‘Little Girl.’


There have been several songs with this title. Vic Damone released his version in 1962 while the Syndicate of Sound released their version with different lyrics in 1966. There have been more recent versions by multiple artists including Hootie and the Blowfish.

 

[EmilyMiller]

Fifteen weeks to go until submissions with a nod to the under eighteen rule...

Before you give your writing a whirl,
And submit your best creative pearl,
Even if it’s hidden,
It is forbidden,
To write stories about ‘Little Girl.’


There have been several songs with this title. Vic Damone released his version in 1962 while the Syndicate of Sound released their version with different lyrics in 1966. There have been more recent versions by multiple artists including Hootie and the Blowfish.

When do I get my royalty check?

 

[Trionyx]

When do I get my royalty check?

Just as soon as LE sends me my pay check.

 

[EmilyMiller]

Just as soon as LE sends me my pay check.

Late fees may apply…

 

[Kumquatqueen]

Draft done! Need to shift some info-dumping from the start to elsewhere, but otherwise, it's a story about subverting a subversive song (Placebo's Nancy Boy). Or the racial expectations of third-culture kids, depending on your perspective.

On to the geeks...

 

[ShelbyDawn57]

So, I just went back to my story for this and touched it up a little. I only added about 3500 words, 7300 to 10800, and made myself cry sloppy tears twice, so I guess it's getting closer to done.

 

[pink_silk_glove]

Yea, I'm officially out of this one. Sorry haters. Nothing more for you to bomb. : P

 

[Trionyx]

Yea, I'm officially out of this one. Sorry haters. Nothing more for you to bomb. : P

And here I thought you'd use 'Pink Glove' by Pulp as your song...
Maybe next year.

 

[BladeSeanchai]

Was driving back from the hospital, REO Speedwagon pops on … Take It On the Run. Yeah now this one is cookin’

 

[pink_silk_glove]

One of the things that I never have time for is writing up analysis of songwriting and discussing it here in AH. Of course I'd just get my catalog bombed evermore by ripping all of your fave songs to shreds. : P

 

[anthrodisiac]

One of the things that I never have time for is writing up analysis of songwriting and discussing it here in AH. Of course I'd just get my catalog bombed evermore by ripping all of your fave songs to shreds. : P

My mom already critiques my musical tastes enough, thanks.

I await the inevitable: "I can see why" comments

 

[Trionyx]

Fourteen weeks to go...

When writing sci/fi fantasy, just
Remember that some aliens’ lust
Can be quite eerie.
So, I’d be leery
Of any stories based on ‘Stardust.’

Actually, this song composed in 1927 by Hoagy Carmichael with words by Mitchell Parish has nothing to do with science fiction but is about a romance that has died. It has been recorded over 1,500 times in the 99 years since it was composed.

 

[Trionyx]

Thirteen weeks...

This category’s out of the main
Stream, though followers you might gain.
An anal story
Can get quite gory,
If you decide to ‘Take the A Train.’


Take the A Train was a 1939 jazz standard by Billy Strayhorn that was the signature tune of the Duke Ellington orchestra.

 

[Duil2]

Thirteen weeks...

This category’s out of the main
Stream, though followers you might gain.
An anal story
Can get quite gory,
If you decide to ‘Take the A Train.’


Take the A Train was a 1939 jazz standard by Billy Strayhorn that was the signature tune of the Duke Ellington orchestra.

I know it well. My mother used to listen to her Duke Ellington vinyl album which she must have bought possibly in the 1960's as often as she could or at least when we still had a record player in the house. Sounds from my growing up.

 

[Trionyx]

Twelve weeks...

It’s getting late, so write chop chop.
Put pen to paper and do not stop.
If you’ve got a tale
About a gay male,
Write I’m the bottom and “You’re the Top”.

1934 Cole Porter tune from the musical Anything Goes.

 

[Trionyx]

And now eleven...

The small category How To,
Often has little with sex to do.
But it’s often fun,
To give it a run,
So, the song ‘Teach Me Tonight’ is for you.


Gene De Paul and Sammy Cahn joined forces to write this popular jazz standard in 1953. It was first recorded by Janet Brace and there have been dozens of recordings since then.

 

[KittyOfSteele]

I have a series of five and a series of three, but the series of three has longer titles than the song. The series of five is just Ex Habit.

 

[bi_cathy]

Just to clarify, the story title should be absolutely formatted like this: Song (Artist - year)? Or just Song? Or is there any leeway to change something there? I'm planning to submit two things (oh, hi, inspiration!):

- One essay is ready, but the song's title is not in English and I would've liked to go "Song (english translation)" for the title, without the artist name and year.
- Another story is still a WIP, but the song's title is a bit boring. There's a lyric in there that's a lot more interesting, and ideally, I'd prefer to use that lyric from the song, not the original title.

 

[Duil2]

Just to clarify, the story title should be absolutely formatted like this: Song (Artist - year)? Or just Song?

Hi, in the original post from the beginning of this thread it just says the song title as the title of your story.

This thread officially kicks off the MUSIC CHALLENGE 2026 for the summer of 2026. Submissions can be sent in between August 1st through August 18th, with a Tuesday August 25 go live date.

This thread is also to SUPPORT and ENCOURAGE veteran and first-time authors to enter stories in the MUSIC CHALLENGE 2026. This is an open challenge for everyone; it is not a competition and there are no scores or prizes. It is, however, an opportunity to write a story with a similar theme to what other authors will be submitting and the stories will be presented together at the end of the challenge. As a result, your story will have greater exposure to the readers.

The rules and guidelines are simple:

Use a song title as the title of your story.

The story should reflect and build on the song title. The spirit of the challenge is to craft your story around the words, meaning or message of the song - but the degree to which you do this is up to you.

Very limited use of lyrics is permissible in the story but lengthy passages should be avoided.

 

[BryanRichardson]

Saffire-The Uppity Blues Women​

Some selected song titles:

• Wild Women Don't Have the Blues
• Bitch With A Bad Attitude
• Middle Aged Blues Boogie
• There's Lightning In These Thunder Thighs
• Ain't Gonna Hush
• You Can Have My Husband
• (No Need) Pissin' On A Skunk
• Take It On Back
• Elevator Man
• Don't Treat Your Man Like A Dog
• Cleaning House
• T'aint Nobody's Business
• School Teacher's Blues
• Cold Pizza And Warm Beer
• Too Much Butt
• Fess Up When You Mess Up
• Even Yuppies Get The Blues
• Silver Beaver
• It Takes A Mighty Good Man
• One Good Man

And lots more.

Also: Bareback Rider sounds good…