🌌 The Maya Universe Essay Competition

Step into a living universe.  Win $1,500  plus other prizes, including a prize just for entering! (see prize section for details).

​

What if you could do more than just read a story—what if you could become part of its foundation? The Maya Universe, created by visionary storytellers Anand Gandhi (Ship of Theseus, Tumbbad) and Zain Memon (Shasn, Maya), is not just a saga—it’s a bold experiment in reimagining philosophy, society, and the very stories we tell ourselves.

​

This is your chance to join in. To test it. To challenge it. To leave your imprint on a universe in the making.

📝 How It Works

1. Read
   Download:

   • The first six chapters of Maya: Seed Takes Root (click here)

   • A downloadable guide to the core philosophies and principles that underpin the Maya Universe (click here)​

2. Write
   Craft an essay of 1,000–1,500 words. Your essay should include:

   • A critique of the first three chapters: What worked, what didn’t, what pulled you in.

   • A critique of the philosophy and social framework: How convincing is it? How could it evolve?

3. Submit
   Send in your essay by the deadline (details below). Judges will review entries for consistency, originality, insight, and depth of thought.

🏆 The Prizes

This isn’t just about winning—it’s about becoming part of something bigger. But the rewards aren’t bad either.

• Grand Prize (1 Winner)

  • $1,500 cash prize

  • An autographed, one of a kind edition (only one will be printed) of Maya: Seed takes Root with the winners name printed in the book.

  • eBook copy of Maya: Seed Takes Root

• Second Prize (2 Winners)

  • Special hardcover edition of Maya: Seed Takes Root

  • eBook copy of Maya: Seed Takes Root

• Third Prize (3 Winners)

  • Special paperback copy of Maya:Seed TakesRoot

  • eBook copy of Maya: Seed Takes Root

• All Eligible Participants will receive an eBook copy of Maya: Seed Takes Root. To qualify as eligible, a submission must be at least 1,000 words and demonstrate, through a coherent essay, clear engagement with the required reading materials. The judges’ determination of eligibility will be final. 

🌱 Why Enter?

Most essay competitions end with a certificate—maybe some prize money. This one could make you part of a cultural movement.

• You’re not just reviewing a book—you’re helping shape the ethical and philosophical scaffolding of an entire fictional universe.

• Unlike all other competitions, every eligible participant gets a prize.

• And yes, you might just walk away $1,500 richer and a unique, one-of-a-kind; hardcover book.
   

📅 Submission Requirements

• Essay Length: 1,000–1,500 words

• Deadline: [Insert Deadline Here]

• Submission: [Insert Submission Portal/Email]

• Format: PDF or Word document

✨ Join the Experiment

The Maya Universe is not a passive story—it’s a living laboratory for ideas. By entering this competition, you’re stepping into that lab. You’re testing hypotheses. You’re deciding whether this bold new world deserves to thrive—or demands to be challenged.

​

Enter now. Bring your mind. Bring your critique. Bring your imagination. Become a part of this extraordinary universe.

​​