Tags: short stories

Fall Story Contest

Narrative
Entry Fee: 
$27
Deadline: 
November 21, 2025

A prize of $2,500 is given annually for a short story, a short short story, an essay, a memoir, a photo essay, a short graphic narrative, or an excerpt from a longer work of prose. A second-place prize of $1,000 is also awarded. The editors will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit up to 15,000 words of prose with a $27 entry fee by November 21. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Pushcart Prizes

Pushcart Press
Entry Fee: 
$0
Deadline: 
December 1, 2025

Publication in The Pushcart Prize: Best of the Small Presses is awarded annually for works of poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction published by literary magazines or small presses during the current year. Editors may nominate up to six poems, short stories, novel chapters, or essays published, or scheduled to be published, in 2025; submit one copy of each work by December 1. There is no entry fee. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Juniper Prizes

University of Massachusetts Press
Entry Fee: 
$30
Deadline: 
September 30, 2025
Five prizes of $1,000 each and publication by University of Massachusetts Press are given annually for a debut poetry collection, a poetry collection by an author who has previously published a book, a short story collection, a novel, and a book of creative nonfiction. Using only the online submission system, submit a poetry manuscript of 60 to 95 pages, a story collection or novel of 55,000 to 75,000 words, or a memoir, book of narrative nonfiction, biography, or essay collection of 50,000 to 70,000 words with a $30 entry fee by September 30. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Catherine Doctorow Innovative Fiction Prize

Fiction Collective Two
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
November 1, 2025
A prize of $15,000 and publication by Fiction Collective Two, an imprint of University of Alabama Press, is given annually for a novel, a story collection, a novella, or a novella collection. Writers who are from or are residing in the United States and who have published at least three books are eligible. Kazim Ali will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of any length, a brief bio, and a list of at least three previously published books with a $25 entry fee (waivers are available based on financial need) by November 1. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Ronald Sukenick Innovative Fiction Contest

Fiction Collective Two
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
November 1, 2025
A prize of $3,000 and publication by Fiction Collective Two is given annually for a novel, a story collection, a novella, or a novella collection. Writers who are from or are residing in the United States and who have not previously published a book with Fiction Collective Two are eligible. Alvin Lu will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of any length with a brief bio and a $25 entry fee (waivers are available based on financial need) by November 1. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Calvino Prize

University of Louisville
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
October 15, 2025
A prize of $2,000 and publication in Miracle Monocle is given annually for a work of fiction written in the fabulist experimental style of Italo Calvino. Jenny Boully will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a short story or an excerpt from a story collection, novella, or novel of up to 25 pages with a $25 entry fee by October 15. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Spring Story Contest

Narrative
Entry Fee: 
$27
Deadline: 
July 31, 2025
A prize of $2,500 is given annually for a work of flash fiction, a short story, a graphic story, an essay, a memoir, or an excerpt from a work of fiction or creative nonfiction. A second-place prize of $1,000 is also awarded. The editors will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit up to 15,000 words of prose with a $27 entry fee by July 31. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Fiction Prize

Salamander
Entry Fee: 
$20
Deadline: 
June 1, 2025
A prize of $1,000 and publication in Salamander is given annually for a short story. Helen Phillips will judge. Using only the online submission system, submit a story of up to 30 pages with a $20 entry fee, which includes a subscription to Salamander, between May 1 and June 1. All entries are considered for publication. Visit the website for complete guidelines.

Katherine Anne Porter Prize

University of North Texas Press
Entry Fee: 
$25
Deadline: 
June 30, 2025
A prize of $1,000 and publication by University of North Texas Press is given annually for a collection of short fiction. Using only the online submission system, submit a manuscript of 100 to 200 pages with a $25 entry fee by June 30 (fee-free submissions are accepted only on June 1). Visit the website for complete guidelines.

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