Related Resources:
- What is Flash Fiction? A Complete Guide (blog post)
- How to Write Flash Fiction (blog post)
The Best Flash Fiction Writing Contests of 2023
Writing competitions curated by Reedsy
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Manage a competition? Submit it here
Join our short story competition
Submit a short story based on 1 of 5 weekly prompts. Winners get $250.
Showing 114 contests
FFF Competition 18
Free Flash Fiction
The Bi-monthly Free Flash Fiction Competition promotes the work of flash fiction authors. The winner of the current competition will be invited to be the judge for the next competition. Submit a flash fiction piece between 100 and 300 words, on any theme.
Top prize
£150
Additional prizes
2x Highly Recommended £30.00 | 2x Shortlisted £20
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $4
Deadline: October 23, 2023
Genres
Flash Fiction
View contestStory Unlikely's Short Story Contest
Story Unlikely
Story Unlikely's Annual Short Story contest is simply looking for great stories, judged both by the technical and literary quality as well as the author's ability to tell a story. We are not genre specific, and judging is blind, not based on the author's credentials, background, or pedigree. This is merit only. May the best story win.
Top prize
$750
Additional prizes
Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: January 31, 2024
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestFrightening First Line Contest 2023
Gotham Writers Workshop
Autumn is the season of rustling leaves, a chill in the air, and, of course, Halloween. In that spirit, we invite you to create the first line of a frightening story. But we want that first line to be so intriguing or chilling or scary that it makes our skin tingle and our nerves twitch.
Top prize
Free Gotham Writers class
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: November 30, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Short Story, Thriller
View contestWinter Flash Fiction Battle
Writing Battle
Three days to write a 1000 word short story. The peer-powered quarterly writing contest where every story receives oodles of feedback. Write one. Read ten. Win thousands.
Top prize
$10,000
Additional prizes
Feedback by industry professionals.
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: February 01, 2024
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller
View contestAutumn Short Story Battle
Writing Battle
Five days to write a 2000 word short story. The peer-powered quarterly writing contest where every story receives oodles of feedback. Write one. Read ten. Win thousands.
Top prize
$10,000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: October 31, 2023
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller
View contest7 Day Story Writing Challenge
Globe Soup
Register now for our next 7-day story writing challenge. A secret theme, a randomly assigned genre, and just 7 days to write a story of no more than 2,000 words. Our 7-day story writing challenges take place throughout the year. The challenges are free and you can even get feedback on your story. Take part in one challenge or take part in all of them!
Top prize
£500
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: October 16, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestWriting LOVE
Sadie Tells Stories
Writing LOVE is a 500 word short story contest. It can be fiction or non-fiction. It can be a love of anything. A love for life, for nature, for a life partner, for peace, for justice, for a passion... The story also doesn't need to be about love, it just has to have an element of love.
Top prize
$500
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: November 15, 2023
Genres
Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Young Adult
View contestThe Failing Writers £500, 500 Word, Flash Fiction Competition
The Failing Writers Podcast
The Failing Writers Podcast presents its 3rd annual flash fiction competition. This year, with an apt subject to write about... 'Failing'. Check our blog for all the details from Monday the 4th of September, and write your way to £500 plus a skip-full of plaudits, bragging rights and jigs around the kitchen. (To hear past winners, just skiffle through our episodes to find the flash fiction winner eps and enjoy!)
Top prize
£500
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: September 28, 2023
Genres
Flash Fiction
View contestElegant Literature's Award For New Writers
Elegant Literature
One of the largest awards open to unpublished writers, and the only one closed to professionals. We are the first magazine to pay pro rates and only accept submissions from new writers, putting over $100k into the hands of emerging talent around the globe. One new writer receives the grand prize. We also choose the best stories, pay the authors above-professional rates, and publish them in our magazine. September's guest judge is multi-award winning author Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki.
Top prize
$3,000
Additional prizes
Paid publication, 25 x $20 USD | Free entry to Novelist Accelerator | Now Novel Package
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: October 01, 2023
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult, Flash Fiction, Science Writing
View contestThe Goldilocks Zone
Sunspot Literary Journal
Sunspot Lit seeks a story, essay, excerpt from longer prose pieces, artwork, graphic novel, or poem that combines excellence in craft with reader or audience appeal. Feedback for fiction and nonfiction submissions available for additional fee.
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $12
Deadline: September 30, 2023
Genres
Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Poetry, Script Writing, Short Story
View contestIndignor Play House Annual Short Story Competition
Indignor House Publishing
Indignor House Publishing is proud to announce that our annual writing competition (INDIGNOR PLAYHOUSE Short Story Annual Competition) is officially open with expected publication in the fall of 2024. Up to 25 submissions will be accepted for inclusion in the annual anthology.
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
2nd: $250 | 3rd: $150
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: March 31, 2024
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story, Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestSummer Nanofiction Battle
Writing Battle
Two days to write a 250 word short story! The peer-powered quarterly writing contest where every story receives oodles of feedback. Write one. Read ten. Win thousands.
Top prize
$4,000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: August 04, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Short Story, Thriller
View contestThe SmokeLong Grand Micro Competition 2023
SmokeLong Quarterly
SmokeLong’s Grand Micro Competition (The Mikey) is a biennial competition that celebrates and compensates the best micro fiction and nonfiction online.
Top prize
$1,500
Additional prizes
2nd: $500 | 3rd: $300 | Finalists: $100 | Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $13
Deadline: November 10, 2023
Genres
Flash Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction
View contestNative Voices Award
Kinsman Avenue Publishing, Inc
Indigenous storytellers (Native American, First Nation Australian, Indian, Polynesian, etc.) may submit original, unpublished work in English; short stories, essays, onstage scripts, poetry, or visual art.
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
2nd: $250 | 3rd: $100 | 6 Finalists: $25 gift card
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: October 31, 2023
Genres
Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Script Writing, Short Story
View contestLetter Review Prize for Short Fiction
Letter Review
The Letter Review Prize for Flash Fiction (0-5000 words) is open to writers from anywhere in the world and has no theme or genre restrictions. Winners are published and every entry is considered for publication. 20 entries are Longlisted.
Top prize
$1000 (shared by 3 winners)
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: August 31, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Flash Fiction, Short Story
View contestInception 2023
Sunspot Lit
Beginnings have the power to spark passion or curiosity. They might immediately connect a specific place and time with an emotional tone. The best openings offer a feeling, atmosphere, action, or image that is gripping, and hints at more to come. For Sunspot Lit’s Inception contest, send your best opening. There are no restrictions on theme, category, or the length of the piece or collection from which the excerpt comes. Word limit is 250 for prose, 25 words for poetry.
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
Publication in digital and print editions
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: July 31, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Romance, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestFlash Fiction Competition
Pigeon Review
This year's Flash Fiction competition centers around the theme of "home". What it means to you, how you understand it, and the emotions "home" evokes within you.
Top prize
$125
Additional prizes
2nd: $100 | 3rd: $75
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $5
Deadline: July 31, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Humor, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller
View contestAIIRA Writing Contest
AI Institute for Resilient Agriculture
AIIRA is seeking essays speculating on how AI will change careers within the next decade, as well as fiction stories depicting a day in the life of a job transformed by AI technology. Submissions should address how AI will help future professionals perform their jobs more efficiently as well as what job duties will become redundant due to AI.
Top prize
$550
Additional prizes
2nd: $400 (x2) | 3rd: $250
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: September 30, 2023
Genres
Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Non-fiction, Science Writing, Short Story
View contestKatherine Anne Porter Prize in Short Fiction
University of North Texas Press
The University of North Texas Press announces the 2024 Katherine Anne Porter Prize in Short Fiction. The winner of this annual award will receive $1000 and publication by UNT Press. Entries will be judged by an eminent writer.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publication by UNT Press
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: June 30, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Flash Fiction, Novella, Short Story
View contestEdinburgh Award for Flash Fiction
Scottish Arts Trust
The Edinburgh Flash Fiction Award is open to writers worldwide, published and unpublished, and for stories on any topic up to 250 words. Chief judges are the celebrated authors Zoe Strachan and Louise Welsh. The top twenty authors will be given free tickets to our annual Flash Bash at the Scottish Arts Club in Edinburgh, where everyone will present their stories and the prize-winners will be announced.
Top prize
£2000
Additional prizes
2nd: £300 | 3rd: £150 | Golden Hare Award: £500
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $8
Deadline: August 31, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction
View contestThe Not-So-Great Outdoors Contest
Gotham Writers Workshop
It’s that season when people spend time in the great outdoors. Which is a perfect time to tell us a story about a not-so-great outdoor experience. It might be camping during a wild rainstorm or getting lost while out for a simple walk or just melting outside during a heat wave. Give us a story—fiction or nonfiction—in 49 words or fewer. We’ll pick the story we like best and give that writer a free Gotham class of their choosing.
Top prize
Free writing class
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: August 31, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Flash Fiction
View contestWOW! Women on Writing Spring 2023 Flash Fiction Contest
WOW! Women On Writing
Seeking short fiction of any genre between 250 - 750 words. The mission of this contest is to inspire creativity, great writing, and provide well-rewarded recognition to contestants.
Top prize
$400
Additional prizes
2nd: $300 | 3rd: $200 | 7 runner-ups: $25 Amazon Gift Cards
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: August 31, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Flash Fiction, Fiction, Short Story
View contestSoutham Book Festival Flash Fiction Competition
Southam Book Festival
A story of up to 100 words ( including title). Must include the word 'alarmed'. Open to all over 16 yrs.
Top prize
£60
Additional prizes
2nd: £30 | 3rd: £20
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $4
Deadline: October 09, 2023
Genres
Flash Fiction
View contestOxford Flash Fiction Prize
Oxford Flash Fiction
This summer we celebrate the meaning of gifts, exchanges and the stories we tell about them. This competition runs in partnership with the Bodleian Libraries’ Gifts and Books exhibition at the University of Oxford. Each entrant to the 2023 summer competition will also receive an e-book special edition Oxford Flash Fiction anthology.
Top prize
£1000
Additional prizes
2nd Prize: £200 | 3rd Prize: £100 | New Voice Prize: £50
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $8
Deadline: August 31, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Flash Fiction, Fiction, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestGemini Magazine Flash Fiction Contest
Gemini Magazine
Knock us out in 1,000 words or less! Any subject or style. Except for the word limit, we have no rules and are open to your most creative work, whether literary, noir, historical, sci-fi or any other category. Read previous winners and finalists online to see the wide variety of flash fiction we publish.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Second: $100 | 4x Honorable Mentions: $25 | Online publication for all six finalists
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $7
Deadline: August 31, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Flash Fiction
View contestFlash Fiction Competition
Write the World
“There was more room to think,” wrote novelist David Gaffney on becoming a flash fiction convert. Stories of the sudden/mini/micro variety pack the best parts of fiction into brimming, half-pint packages. Come celebrate the art of concision this month, dear writers, and write a story in 99 words or less.
Top prize
Best Entry: $100
Additional prizes
Runner up: $50, Best Peer Review: $50
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: August 22, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Flash Fiction
View contestAfrican Diaspora Award
Kinsman Avenue Publishing, Inc.
Submissions are open for Kinsman Quarterly’s African Diaspora Award. Top winners receive prizes up to $500 USD and publication within the Black Diaspora anthology. No entry fee required. Those eligible should submit an original, unpublished work in English that features themes of the African diaspora by July 15, 2023.
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
2nd: $250 | 3rd: $100 + Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: July 15, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Poetry, Romance, Script Writing, Short Story, Young Adult
View contestFiction Factory Flash Fiction
Fiction Factory
This is an international competition, open to writers from all over the world over the age of 16. Stories may be on any theme but we sadly do not accept YA or Children's stories.
Top prize
£300
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $7
Deadline: July 31, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Crime, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Science Fiction, Thriller
View contestThe Heartland Review Open Calls
The Heartland Review Press
Submit one piece of fiction or creative nonfiction of topic or category to include flash in a Word document through Submittable (link on website). No pdfs. Include a short cover letter and bio. Simultaneous submissions accepted, but writers must withdraw if published elsewhere. We read the first 50 pieces of fiction and 50 of creative nonfiction submitted each month during the open call.
Top prize
Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: November 15, 2023
Genres
Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestGeorge Dila Memorial Flash Fiction Contest
Third Wednesday
The editors of Third Wednesday wish to honor the memory of George Dila, friend of Third Wednesday and the editor who originally brought fiction to 3W. To this end, we proudly announce the opening of The George Dila Memorial Flash Fiction Contest. We accept entries of previously unpublished stories of under 1000 words in length (including title).
Top prize
100 x3 Winning Stories
Additional prizes
Publication in Third Wednesday magazine
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $6
Deadline: August 15, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction
View contestTWFest Very Short Fiction Contest
Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival
A submission is one original short story, written in English, up to 1,000 words. This contest is open only to emerging writers who have not yet published a book of short fiction with an ISBN.
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
VIP all-access pass to the next festival, where you will give a public reading.
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: October 15, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story
View contestRigel 2023
Sunspot Literary Journal
Sunspot Lit seeks one short story, CNF, artwork, poem, graphic novel, script, or excerpt that outshines the rest. Literary and genre works accepted. Feedback available for additional fee. See guidelines for details. Enter through Sunspot’s Submittable or through Duotrope.
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: May 31, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Poetry, Script Writing, Short Story
View contestThe Paul Cave Prize for Literature
Tim Saunders Publications
The Paul Cave Prize for Literature, established in 2023 by Tim Saunders Publications, is in memory of Paul Astley Cave-Browne-Cave (1917 to 2010), a hugely inspirational magazine and book publisher. What we are looking for All forms of poetry: haiku, free verse, sonnet, acrostic, villanelle, ballad, limerick, ode, elegy, flash fiction, short stories and novellas. Work must be new and unpublished. International submissions welcome.
Top prize
£100
Additional prizes
Best Short Story: £50 | Best Flash Fiction: £25 | Best Poem: £25
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: September 30, 2023
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestQuill and Keyboard Teen International Writing Competition
Quills and Keyboard
We are made of students hosting a contest for teen & YA authors. There are 15 categories, from journalism to a section for novelists’ favorite chapters. Qualified judges will send feedback on each piece. We partnered with many writing organizations such as Teen Author Boot Camp and Newpages and recognized by non-profits such as Polyphony Lit.
Top prize
Publication in Under the Madness and Skipping Stones
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: May 20, 2023 (Expired)
Genres
Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novella, Poetry, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Script Writing, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contest2024 Book Prize
Unleash Press
Writers are invited to submit novels, short story collections and creative nonfiction manuscripts. The Editors' Prize winner receives a publication contract with Unleash Press and $1000 prize, along with 10 printed copies of the final book. We may also offer publication contracts to additional outstanding manuscripts.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publishing contract
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $35
Deadline: December 15, 2023
Genres
Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Novel, Short Story, Non-fiction
View contest
