The Dreamer’s Hand
It All Begins Here
Some dreams don’t disappear. They’re silenced, slowly, by practicality, fear, and the quiet decision to stop trying. Dreams are the whispers of our deepest desires, and in a world that rewards stability over passion, it’s easy to “grow up” and call it maturity. Sometimes it’s just neglect.
This first contest is our opening ritual at Quill—House of Ink. It’s for anyone who has ever felt the ache of a dream slipping away… and for anyone ready to return.
Theme
“Dreams can only die at the hands of the dreamer.” — Danielle Dahl, Quill Co-Founder
The Prompt
Write about a dream you “killed” through neglect, practicality, fear, or silence, and the moment you realized it.
End your piece with one of the following:
(A) the first small step you took (or will take) to resurrect it, or
(B) the sentence you wish someone had told you sooner.
Formats Accepted
Personal essay
Narrative nonfiction
Poetry
Entry Fee
$30 (non-members)
Members receive discounted entry.
Prizes & Publication
1st Place
$250 cash prize
Publication on the Quill website
Inclusion in the Quill Anthology
Participation in a live reading event
2nd Place
$50 cash prize
Publication on Resilient Stories
Participation in a live reading event
Possible inclusion in the Resilient Stories Anthology
3rd Place
Participation in a live reading event
Publication in Medium’s “Voices of Resiliency” publication
Why This Contest
Quill exists for the return arc. For that moment when you find the courage to reclaim your voice. Not everyone who writes is trying to become famous. Many of us write to survive, to heal, and to give our inner life somewhere to go.
This theme is an invitation to do exactly that: name the dream, name the ending, and, if you choose, write the first line of the beginning again.
How to Enter
Submit your piece: Click here to enter. The submission form will be emailed to you.
Deadline: April 20th 2026
Word count/length: 150-1000
Eligibility: Open to all Montana writers
Judging
Entries will be judged on:
emotional resonance
originality and voice
craft (structure, clarity, imagery)
alignment with the theme
Winners will be announced on this page and on our social channels.
Past Winners
As Quill grows, this page will become a living archive with our contest history, winner spotlights, and the writing that helped launch this space.
Winner announcements and past selections will be published here.
Meet the Judges
Danielle Dahl
Danielle is the CEO of Resilient Stories and the Co-Founder of Quill—House of Ink. She has been writing since she was a teenager, and was first published in a poetry anthology at 16. Before turning 18, she wrote for one of the first online blogs and the local newspaper. Publishing and writing has captivated her ever since!
Since then, she has written over 1000 articles/stories for various online publications. She is also the author of Voices of Resilience: Volume One, with more volumes in the works as we type!
Danielle is also a Ph.D. candidate in psychology and fundamentally believes storytelling is medicine and can change the world.
Co-Founder/Writer/Publisher
Heather Estus
Heather is the founder and author of The Worthiness Formula, Worthy YOUniversity, and The Worthy Ranch.
She is also the Co-Founder of Quill—House of Ink and an artist.
Heather has a degree in Journalism and over 30 years of non-profit experience.
She is a storyteller at heart, whose mission it is to help others.
Her audience includes professionals, organizations, and individuals.
Co-Founder/Author/Artist
Guest JudgeDiem Jones
Creative and strategic in equal Diem Jones is a thought leader, writer, poet/musician, multi-disciplinary producer, content-provider, and program designer.
In addition to having directed creative writing programs on 6 US university campuses, his work as a writer has won critical acclaim in: books, anthologies, music videos, industrial films, documentaries as well as commercials.
His book, A Big Day: Thawing the Soul, was published in the summer of 2018. His most recent book, “God: The JourneyWithin,” was published in March of 2023 by CedarGrove Publishing.
Guest JudgeDr. Donna Bulatowicz
Dr. Donna Bulatowicz started writing stories before kindergarten. Storytelling is in her blood. She has taught writing to children and adults. Although she has focused on academic and creative nonfiction writing for a while, Donna has recently written some children's books and is working on a memoir.
She loves writing for many reasons, including the power of words to help oneself and/or others. The right book or article at the right time can change--and perhaps even save--a life. Seeing oneself reflected in the written word sends a message of inclusion, belonging, and mattering.