Deadline: May 1, 2025
Entry fee: $25
About the competition
Sponsored by Winning Writers and co-sponsored by Duotrope. 33rd year. Submit stories and essays. Both published and unpublished work accepted.
For this contest, a story is any short work of fiction, and an essay is any short work of nonfiction.
Final judge: Mina Manchester, assisted by Sarah Halper.
All themes accepted. No restriction on age of author. All countries eligible except Syria, Iran, North Korea, Crimea, Russia, or Belarus (due to US government restrictions).
Competition guideline
- Submit stories and essays on any theme, up to 6,000 words each. The winning story and essay will each receive $3,500. Ten Honorable Mentions will receive $500 each. The top 12 entries will be published online. Mina Manchester is the final judge. This contest is proudly co-sponsored by Duotrope, which will award two-year gift certificates to the top two winners, a $100 value.
- For this contest, a story is any short work of fiction, and an essay is any short work of nonfiction. You may submit published or unpublished work. This contest accepts multiple entries (submit them one at a time). Please omit your name from your entries. We prefer 12-point type or larger. Please avoid fancy, hard-to-read fonts. Double-spacing is recommended.
- No restriction on age of author. All countries eligible except Syria, Iran, North Korea, Crimea, Russia, and Belarus (due to US government restrictions).
- First time entering? We prepared this brief video to guide you. See also our short entry checklist.
- Fee per entry: $25.
- Read the whole guideline and submit your entry here.
