The PING App
The PING App
(Personal Inter-Conscious Nuance Gauge)
is an application that allows users to know when people are thinking about them. The app can access the Collective Consciousness, and individual energy signatures of all living beings, and report back real time data about this "Conscious Footprint."
- ● The Count: Shows exactly how many people are thinking of the user in real-time.
- ● The Nuance Gauge: Indicates the "vibe" of the thoughts—Red for Fear emotions (negative/angry/jealous, etc.) and Green for Love (positive/affectionate/admiration/attraction, etc.)
The Premium Feature/ Purchased Credits
While the standard app only provides counts and colors, the Premium Feature reveals the actual names of the people who are thinking of the user.
Awards & Recognition
Celebrating the 25 most compelling stories chosen for the Anthology.
All 25 selected authors will receive a Hard Copy of the finished book and Sponsored Gifts from our partners.
Also, 3 Editor's Picks will be awarded, with featured placement and a preview sentence added before the selected stories.
Judges Panel
MJ Huntsgood is a speculative literary and horror author who enjoys exploring the use of perspective and deep POV in her work to find the nightmare not just in a situation, but within ourselves. She has been in over two dozen literary magazines and has been published in anthologies with Timber Ghost Press, Red Cape Publishing, and Macmillan Children’s Books. She is the loser of various awards including the Pushcart Prize and the Best of the Net, and an applicant for many others. She lives in an unreasonably haunted townhome in Washington DC with her ever dwindling number of underwatered plants, 2 cats and trophy husband.
Dr. Julie McNairn Dr. Julie McNairn (publishing as Julieanna Mac) holds a PhD in Medical Physics and Neuroscience and has published in academic journals. After serving on a corporate leadership team, she stepped back from the rat race to pursue her passion for storytelling, launching her debut novel Born from the Broken on April 1st, 2026. As founder of Narratoria Creative Co-Op, Julie is dedicated to making publishing accessible to all writers and amplifying voices that deserve to be heard. When she’s not championing indie authors or working on her next book, she can be found in Scotland with her husband, two sons, and dog (though she admits the order of affection varies by the day).
Vesper Doom Vesper Doom’s (she/they) writing sits at the intersection of Autistic experience, Queer love, and the Horror of the unknown. Her books include THR BINDING OF BLOOM MOUNTAIN, METROPOLIS DOWN, THE CITADEL OF ICE, and the space horror anthology, ASTROPHOBIA. Originally from Chicago, Vesper now lives in the Greater Washington, DC area with her spouse and three cats.
Submission Details
- Word Count 1,000 – 3,000
- Entry Fee $15.00 USD
- Deadline March 31, 2026
- Announcement of Winners: April 30, 2026
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TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
- ~Originality: The work must be your own. AI-generated content is strictly prohibited.
- ~Rights: If selected, you grant PING the non-exclusive right to publish your story in the 2026 Anthology. You retain all other copyrights.
- ~Prizes: Prizes ($500, $250, $100) will be paid via PayPal within 30 days of the announcement of winners. Winners are responsible for any local taxes associated with prize money.
- ~Fee: A non-refundable entry fee of $15.00 USD is required per submission.
Submission Requirements
Anonymous Judging: Please do not include your name or identifying information on the manuscript itself.
Author Bio: A 100-word biography must be provided during the submission process for the anthology's final print.
PING APP INCLUSION: All story submissions must include characters using, interacting with, considering, and/or facing the consequences of using the PING app.
No AI Content: Only originally human-written submissions will be accepted.
Questions? Contact SUBMISSIONS.PING.ANTHOLOGY@GMAIL.COM
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The PING Anthology is curated by Alice Langholt, Ph.D. Alice is a prolific author and adjunct professor. Judges and sponsorships will be announced soon (please check back).