Updated September 2023.
Contests And Submissions
Contests
Free to Enter
- Brilliant Flash Fiction (annual-ish contest, ongoing publications)
https://brilliantflashfiction.com/writing-contests/
Free to enter.
Max 400 words for contest. Max 1000 words for quarterly submission calls.
Contest prizes: $200.00 first prize. $100.00 second prize. $50.00 third prize. $20.00 and publication on our website for shortlisted stories. - Didcot Writers (quarterly)
https://didcotwriters.wordpress.com/
Entry is free if you attend one of their events (many free and online); otherwise, entry is £4.
No monetary prize. May be published in future anthology. - Gotham Writers (various)
https://writingclasses.com/contests
Free to enter.
Word counts and details vary by contest.
Prize is often a free writing workshop. - Press 53 (monthly)
https://www.press53.com/53word-story-contest
Free to enter.
53 words only.
Prize is publication in Prime Number Magazine and a free book. - Secret Attic (various)
https://www.secret-attic.co.uk/
Free to enter.
Word counts vary by contest.
Cash prizes available to paid subscribers.
Entry Fee
- Bath Flash Fiction Awards (rolling entries)
https://www.bathflashfictionaward.com/enter/
Entry fees: £9 for one entry. £15 for two entries. £18 for three entries.
Prizes: £1000 first, £300 second, £100 third, two £30 commended. (50 authors offered anthology print publication.) - Globe Soup Writing Competitions (multiple)
https://www.globesoup.net/writing-competitions
Early Entry: £2.50 for one story. General Entry: £5 for one story. Late Entry: £9 for one story/
5,000 word max
Deadlines and other information may vary – competitions are held throughout the year. - To Hull And Back (humorous short story competition)
https://www.christopherfielden.com/short-story-competition/
Early bird entry fee is £13, which closes on 31st March 2023 – after that, it costs £15 to enter and the comp closes on 30th June 2023
2,500 words max, no minimum
Top prize is £1,200 plus your head on a book and a trip to Hull – there are 39 runner-up prizes (for full details, see the link)
No theme / genre restrictions, but the story must contain at least one moment of humour – all shortlisted entries are published in an anthology
SIDE NOTE: Chris has an excellent competition list on his website. Check it out here: https://www.christopherfielden.com/short-story-tips-and-writing-advice/flash-fiction-competitions.php - Midnight NYC (multiple)
https://www.nycmidnight.com/
Entry fees vary, depending on the competition, with discounts available (starting at around $29).
Word count varies depending on competition.
Prizes vary depending on competition. - Reedsy (weekly prompt contests)
https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/
$5 entry fee.
1000-3000 words
$250 prize. - The Writer Magazine
https://www.writermag.com/the-writer-contests/500-word-contest-2023/
$25 entry fee.
500 words or fewer.
Grand prize is $1000. First prize is $500. Second prize is $250. (Prizes also include publication on the website and an year’s subscription. Grand prize includes publication in print.)
List of Contests
- Publishing … and Other Forms of Insanity
https://publishedtodeath.blogspot.com/p/free-contests.html - Christopher Fielden
https://www.christopherfielden.com/#Competitions
Are we missing anything? Submit new contests and corrections here.