Write a story that can branch, remember, and respond.
An experiment in interactive narrative by Outofthebook
Join the ChallengeOur platform is still under construction. Stories will be submitted as PDFs or structured documents. Your process and feedback will directly shape the tool we build.
This is not a bug — it's part of the experiment.
Outofthebook is an early-stage narrative experiment. We believe stories don't need to be linear, fixed, or finished.
We're starting with people — not software.
You're not just writing a story. You're co-creating a new form of narrative. You'll have direct influence on the design of the tool we're building.
A living story is more than just a narrative with multiple endings. It's a story that remembers, adapts, and responds to the reader's journey.
Think about:
Your story doesn't need to be perfect. It needs to be exploratory. We're discovering together what interactive narrative can become.
For those who make it to the winning list:
Cash reward for the selected story
Your story becomes part of our pilot program
Direct input on how the platform is built
Possibility of becoming the first "living book"
Sign up for the challenge
Create your branching story
Upload as PDF or document
Submit your story as a PDF or structured document through our Google Form
Books, movies, and traditional narratives follow a single path. Every reader experiences the same journey, makes none of the choices, and watches from the outside.
But what if stories could be different?
Outofthebook is exploring a new form of narrative where:
As an early writer, you're not just submitting a story. You're helping define what interactive narrative can become. Your feedback, your process, your experiments — all of it shapes the platform we're building.
This is your chance to be part of something genuinely new in storytelling.
Since we don't have a platform yet, you can structure your branching narrative however makes sense to you. Here are some approaches that work:
Outofthebook is an early-stage narrative experiment. We're inviting writers to create stories designed around decisions, consequences, and alternative paths. Selected stories receive $100 and become part of our pilot program.
Write a short story that explores branching narratives, submit it as a PDF or structured document, and confirm your participation on Instagram using #OutofthebookChallenge and #LivingStory.
Think about stories that can change as they're read. Stories with choice points, alternative endings, or narratives that respond to reader decisions. The format is open — we're exploring what's possible.
We're building the platform based on what we learn from writers like you. Your process and feedback will directly shape the tool. This is intentional — we're starting with people, not software.
Winners will be chosen by our panel based on creativity, storytelling quality, and interactive potential. We're looking for stories that push the boundaries of what narrative can be.
Yes! Even if you don't write, you can join as a reader and early tester of experimental narratives. Your feedback is valuable too.