About the Hollow Archives
The Hollow Archives is a volunteer-run initiative dedicated to giving young writers a space to explore the strange, the speculative, and the unseen.
We host two annual short-story contests, one for horror and speculative fiction, one for fantasy, both designed to nurture creativity, encourage craft, and celebrate the next generation of storytellers.
Founded in Columbia, Missouri, the Hollow Archives began with a simple idea: that stories deserve to be heard, especially those that linger at the edges of imagination.
Each contest, we select a theme, from the dark and mysterious to the wondrous and fantastic, and self publish an anthology of the winning works. The contest is entirely self-funded and sustained through volunteer effort. The printed anthologies are not sold, and all rights remain with the authors.
Why Horror and Fantasy?
The Hollow Archives began with horror, not because it’s easy, but because it’s underserved. Horror invites writers to explore fear in all its forms. Fear of loss, change, identity, or the unknown. It’s subjective and deeply human, giving young writers a way to turn personal anxieties into stories of reflection and resilience.
Fantasy complements that with the freedom to create, to build new worlds and possibilities. Where horror asks “What do we fear?”, fantasy asks “What do we hope for?” Together, they form a dialogue between dread and wonder, confronting the dark while still believing in light.
Both genres deserve a place in literary spaces, especially for students learning to transform imagination into expression.
Our Mission
To provide young writers with meaningful opportunities to grow, be recognized, and see their work in print , regardless of background, experience, or resources.
Our Values
- Community: Stories connect us; we celebrate every voice that dares to speak.
- Accessibility: No entry fees, no barriers.
- Creativity: Freedom to explore the strange, the speculative, and the sincere.
- Integrity: The contest accepts no funding, leaving decisions uninfluenced by outside entities. All rights remain with the authors, it will always be their story.
About the Founder
Raymond Cecora is a lifelong storyteller based in Columbia, Missouri. He works at the University of Missouri as a director in operations.
He founded The Hollow Archives to bring creative opportunity to students who might never otherwise submit their work, a place where imagination matters more than polish and curiosity is the only entry fee.
Raymond oversees every aspect of the Archives, from outreach and design to editing and publication, with help from volunteer judges and those who share a love for stories that linger in the dark and shine in the light.
What began as a small experiment in community storytelling has grown into an annual celebration of young voices, strange ideas, and the courage to write.