Short Stories

Looking for a literary contest to enter with a short story? The short story is often the first format writers use to enter contests: the text is shorter, the response time faster, and the investment lighter than a novel. But the form has its own technical demands: density, economy of language, and a strong ending. A short-story judge reads dozens of entries; what catches their attention is rarely the subject matter, it's the craft.

Requirements vary widely from contest to contest: expected length (anywhere from 500 to 5,000 words depending on the contest), a set theme or open subject matter, and eligibility open to everyone or restricted by residency or age. Read the rules before submitting: an entry outside the stated parameters is disqualified without being read.

Deadlines change every year. Always confirm the details directly on each contest's official page.

In short fiction, the ending matters as much as the opening, and judges remember it either way. Before choosing a contest, look into past winners: the style of previously awarded stories often reveals more than the stated theme. Some contests reward formal experimentation, others favor solid, classic storytelling. Sending the right piece to the right contest makes a real difference.