Contest Rules and Regulations

🧩 Author’s Challenge - Cypher Contest

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​Well, you've come this far, so you are at least interested. Read the following to understand our contest and see if you have what it takes to crack the "One Hour Reads" Cypher Challenge!

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​Hidden throughout 14 upcoming "One Hour Reads" titles lies a cipher (inserted at any point in the short story text on the website, will be highlighted in red) - a secret message carefully encoded using the key word

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AUSTIN (This is the Codex word to cracking the message)

Each book contains one fragment of the message. Not all stories will have one, so keep your eye out while reading. When decoded and pieced together in order, it reveals a final phrase and your next step.

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If you manage to solve the full message, go to the “Contact Page” (You MUST use this method of communication) on OneHourReads.net (Our website) and send me a message with the instructions below and a secret phrase hidden in the message only visible to those who have solved it.

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“________"

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Along with the secret phrase please include your name and any social media handles you may have so we can contact you when the draw is live and a winner is chosen!

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On August 1st, 2026 “One Hour Reads” will host a random drawing of all the names that correctly solved the cypher, and ONE winner will be chosen to receive the $100 grand prize.

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“One Hour Reads” will reach out to the winner to correspond with how to most effectively pay the winner the prize.

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One last thing for all contestants. Don’t tell anyone else how to solve the cypher! The fewer people who solve it, the better your odds are at winning the grand prize. Keep it quiet - secrets favor the clever.

​🕰️ Contest begins November 8th, 2025.

🕰️ Contest ends August 1st, 2026.

This isn’t just a puzzle - it’s a test of focus, patience, and curiosity. So, if you’ve come this far, and you can’t resist a challenge, maybe this one’s meant for you.

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Good luck, and happy decoding.

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- Austin Huibers