American Short(er) Fiction Prize
American Short Fiction and judge Amber Sparks are looking for writers who know their way around flash fiction — could that be you? Stories must be less than 1000 words, but multiple entries are allowed! First place receives $1000 and guaranteed publication, but all entries are considered for publication. Details here.
Entry Fee: $17 Deadline: February 1
There’s only a little time left to enter Southern Indiana Review’s writing contest for poetry collections! Judged by Michael Waters himself, the first-place winner is awarded $3000 and their collection will be published by Southern Indiana Review Press. Don’t miss it!
Entry Fee: $25 Deadline: February 1
This amazing residency is offered to two writers through Bucknell University, and the winners receive a stipend of $5000 and four months of lodging. They’re looking for poets over the age of 21 who are not enrolled in a college or university. You’ll need a 10 page sample of your poetry, but this could be the opportunity for you! Learn more here.
Entry Fee: FREE Deadline: February 1
Portal Prize in Speculative Fiction
Presented by Easy Street, this competition is on the hunt for fiction that is truly unbelievable! Acceptable categories include fantasy, science fiction, horror, magical realism, and others, as long as they’re written in English and don’t exceed 10,000 words. The winner receives $1000 and publication, and finalists receive $100. Submit here!
Entry Fee: $10 Deadline: February 2
Held annually since 1981, the Chicago Tribune’s prize is a nationally recognized contest for original short fiction. Named for the Chicago literary great Nelson Algren, it has been presented to a number of distinguished authors, and you could be next! Stories must be fiction, less than 8000 words, and completely original. The grand prize winner will receive $3500, four finalists will receive $1000, five funner’s-up will receive $500, and all entries are considered for publication. Check it out!
Entry Fee: FREE Deadline: February 7
If you have an unpublished short story collection, this could be your big break! Indiana Review and Indiana University Press are currently accepting submissions for this prize. A manuscript of outstanding merit will be selected, and the winner will receive a publication contract and $2000. Do it!
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: February 9
New York City Emerging Writer Fellowship
This fellowship is limited to residents of New York City, but that is still a pool of roughly 8.5 million people, so competition is tough! Nine writers will receive the grant in 2018, and each will receive $5000, meetings with agents, two public readings, tuition discounts, and more. This program supports emerging writers who have not received major recognition for their work. If you think you are a fit, make sure you have a fiction writing sample and proof of residence. Get started here!
Entry Fee: FREE Deadline: February 15
William Van Dyke Short Story Prize
If you have a story to tell, Ruminate wants to hear it! The first-place prize is $1500 and publication, and the runner-up receives $200 and publication. Submissions need to be 5500 words or less, but there are no limits on the number of entries per person. Submit here.
Entry Fee: $20 Deadline: February 15
This annual contest from Fish Publishing is a true challenge — can you write a compelling and resolved story in 300 words or less? Judged by Sherrie Flick, first place receives $1354 and publication, and the other nine finalists are published as well. See more here!
Entry Fee: $19 Deadline: February 28
Glimmer Train’s Short Story Award for New Writers
Occurring three times a year, this is the winter installment of Glimmer Train’s contest! It’s only open to writers whose fiction has not appeared in a print publication with a circulation over 5,000, and entries are capped at 12,000 words. The winner receives $2500 and publication in Glimmer Train Stories, along with 10 copies of that issue. Submission guidelines here.
Entry Fee: $18 Deadline: February 28
The Booksie Short Story Contest
Open to all genres and themes, the editors at Booksie are looking for a short story that will make them laugh, cry, and see the world in a slightly different way! The judging will be done in rounds, and the winner will receive $600, a gold badge, and extra publicity. Two runner-ups will also receive $150 and a silver badge. Do it!
Entry Fee: $6 Deadline: February 28
A new contest from Red Hen Press, this prize is for any and all women writers with a previously unpublished, original work of prose! Acceptable submissions include novels, short story collections, memoirs, and essay collections, between 45,000 and 80,000 words. The winner, selected by judge Lidia Yuknavitch, receives $1000 and publication by Red Hen Press. Learn more here!
Entry Fee: $25 Deadline: February 28