The Best Flash Fiction Writing Contests of 2022
Writing competitions curated by Reedsy
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Submit a short story based on 1 of 5 weekly prompts. Winners get $250.
Showing 75 contests
Flash Fiction Battle
Writing Battle
Writing Battle is a creative writing competition for writers, by writers. Light on battle. Heavy on fun and friendship (but still somewhat battle-like). Receive prompts, write a short story, then judge each other's stories. Win cash and get feedback from your peers. Join the battle!
Top prize
$5,000
Additional prizes
Feedback by industry professionals. Guaranteed feedback by at least 5 of your peers.
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: August 05, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story
View contestEditor's Prize - Work Anthology
Unleash Press
Writers are invited to submit creative interpretations on Work for an upcoming anthology and the chance of winning the editors' prize. Essays, fiction, drama, and poetry interpretations of the theme will be accepted. Submissions should have a total word count of no more than 5,000 words. All authors chosen for the anthology will receive a paperback copy of the book. Only one editor’s prize will be selected.
Top prize
150
Additional prizes
Publication in anthology
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: December 30, 2022
Genres
Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Poetry, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller
View contestSeven Hills Literary Contest and Penumbra Poetry and Haiku Contest
Tallahassee Writers Association
The Seven Hills Literary Contest and Penumbra Poetry and Haiku Contest (collectively, “the Contest”) is sponsored annually by the Tallahassee Writers Association. The contest is open to English-language entries from around the world. For the first time, we are open to published entries as well as unpublished entries.
Top prize
$300
Additional prizes
Published in the Seven Hills Review
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: September 30, 2022
Genres
Children's, Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Non-fiction, Novel, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestCompetition 11-13
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. Comp 11 ends 23rd Aug | Comp 12 ends 23rd Oct | Comp 13 ends 23rd Dec 2022.
Top prize
$150
Additional prizes
Books & Publication on website
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $4
Deadline: December 23, 2022
Genres
Flash Fiction
View contestMinds Shine Bright Storm
Minds Shine Bright
Mind Shine Bright has two writing competitions annually a revolving theme competition which for 2022 is Storm and Confidence.
Top prize
$500 (AUS)
Additional prizes
2nd: $400 (AUS) | 3rd: $300 (AUS)
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $4
Deadline: September 30, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Poetry, Script Writing, Short Story
View contestNew Writers Flash Fiction Competition 2022
New Writers UK
The New Writers Flash Fiction Competition is open for submissions. The competition seeks to reward authors of the most imaginative, moving or just downright brilliant flash fiction entries of up to 300 words. With a prize pool of £1,000 and £1 from each entry going to a creative writing charity, it's time to get involved.
Top prize
$717
Additional prizes
2nd: $240 | 3rd: $120
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $7
Deadline: November 30, 2022
Genres
Flash Fiction
View contestMacQ-15 Ekphrastic Writing Challenge: "The Question of Questions"
MacQueen's Quinterly
For our tenth themed writing challenge, MacQueen’s Quinterly is calling for literary works in multiple genres: flash and micro-fiction, nonfiction, poetry, prose poetry, and poetic hybrids. Each piece entered must include one “q” word and must address the theme described in our contest guidelines and publisher's commentary.
Top prize
$200
Additional prizes
Publication in Issue 15 of MacQueen's Quinterly online
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $4
Deadline: August 21, 2022
Genres
Essay, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Poetry, Science Writing
View contestShort Story Award for New Writers
The Masters Review
Welcome to our Short Story Award for New Writers, an bi-annual contest that recognizes the best fiction from today’s emerging writers. Judging this year’s contest is Ye Chun, author of Hao, a collection of stories recently longlisted for the 2022 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence. Entries must be under 6,000 words.
Top prize
$3,000
Additional prizes
Publication online, agency review, $300, $200
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: August 28, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story
View contestWild Atlantic Writing Awards (WAWA)
Ireland Writing Retreat
Welcome to the fifth ‘Wild Atlantic Writing Awards’ (WAWA) competition to welcome the New Year which we hope will provide challenge, diversion and enjoyment for you over the holidays and into next year as well. As with all our competitions, there will be two separate categories - flash fiction and creative nonfiction. And we’ve decided on an intriguing theme for both - TIME.
Top prize
€1000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $11
Deadline: September 09, 2022
Genres
Flash Fiction, Non-fiction
View contestFlash Fiction Award
Bath Flash Fiction Award
In addition to winning cash prizes, entrants have the opportunity to appear in our print and digital anthology collections. Our books are published by the award-winning small press Ad Hoc Fiction, and are available to buy from their own independent bookshop as well as worldwide from Amazon. 300 word limit.
Top prize
£1000
Additional prizes
£300 for 2nd, £100 for 3rd
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: October 09, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction
View contestFiction Factory Flash Fiction
Fiction Factory
We welcome previously unpublished stories (max 1,000 words) on any theme. Our judge is looking for freshness, originality and strongly drawn characters.
Top prize
£200
Additional prizes
£50, £25
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $7
Deadline: November 30, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Crime, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Science Fiction, Thriller
View contestEtched Onyx and the Story Discovery Podcast
Onyx Publications
The Fall Edition Contest is an open, mixed-category contest. In other words, we have no limitations or expectations on which types of works will win awards. Selections are based on originality, voice, and style. Last year's contest had 4 prose winners and 2 poetry winners. (An early bird entry fee of $7.50 runs till July 31)
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
Second Prize $250 | Third Prize $100 | 3 Honorable Mentions $50 each
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $12
Deadline: August 28, 2022
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Non-fiction, Poetry, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller
View contestVoice.Club - Flash Fiction Writing Contest
Voice.Club
Express yourself in a supportive, family-friendly community, as you develop your writing skills. Voice.club is a family-friendly platform where creators can express themselves in a supportive environment. Our recurring writing contests have attracted talented writers from all over the world, and invite you to write a story of 350 words or less, based on our current prompt.
Top prize
$50 Amazon Gift Card + Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: July 30, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Flash Fiction, Short Story
View contestWriting LOVE
Sadie Tells Stories
Writing LOVE is a 500 word short story contest. The story can be fiction or non-fiction as long as it includes an element of love. A love for life, for nature, for someone, for peace, for a passion..
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
$150 to the runner up
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: August 15, 2022
Genres
Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Young Adult
View contestFlash Fiction Competition
Pigeon Review
A flash fiction competition in honor of the Pigeon Review Publication turning 1 year old.
Top prize
$100
Additional prizes
2nd: $75 | 3rd: $25 | Finalist & Top 3 Published
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $5
Deadline: August 31, 2022
Genres
Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Humor, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller
View contestOxford Flash Fiction Prize
Oxford Flash Fiction
Write yourself into history and become one of the greats with the Oxford Flash Fiction Prize. For centuries, the greats have come to Oxford to ink masterpieces. Now, in one of the oldest towns, where the history of the English language can be traced back to its ancient streets, we want to celebrate one of the newest forms in literature – flash fiction.
Top prize
$1,300
Additional prizes
2nd Prize: $243 | 3rd Prize: $122
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $8
Deadline: August 31, 2022
Genres
Christian, Crime, Fantasy, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, LGBTQ, Mystery, Suspense, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Travel
View contestHysteria Writing Competition
Hysteria Writing
The Hysteria Writing Competition showcases writers from all over the world. Past winners have come from countries as far apart as UK, Canada, Australia and Nigeria. Its purpose is to help writers get their work in front of a new, different audience.
Top prize
$364
Additional prizes
Publication in Hysteria 9 anthology
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $4
Deadline: August 31, 2022
Genres
Flash Fiction, Poetry, Short Story
View contestYeahWrite Super Challenge
YeahWrite
The Super Challenge is a prompted, 48-hour flash competition alternating between fiction and creative nonfiction. Prompts are released on a Friday night; writers have 48 hours to craft a response in 1,000 words or fewer. Professional editors read all entries and provide detailed feedback on each. The top writers move on to round 2 with new prompts.
Top prize
$150
Additional prizes
$100 for second place | $50 for third place
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $35
Deadline: December 23, 2022
Genres
Essay, Flash Fiction, Non-fiction
View contestMarch Micro Writing Competition
Globe Soup
We accept: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. Each month has a theme. You have just 100 words to write something interesting, unique, and impactful based on the theme. Entry to your first contest is £3, after that you can enter all subsequent contests for free each month. You can get peer feedback on your entry too. The theme this month is: Yellow/Orange.
Top prize
$133
Additional prizes
Publication on our website
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $4
Deadline: March 14, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry
View contestGeminga: $250 for Tiny Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, or Art
Sunspot Lit
Authors and artists eligible. Sunspot Lit’s Geminga contest honors the power of the small. No restrictions on theme or category. $250 cash, publication for the winner, and publication offered to runners-up and finalists. Enter as many times as you like, but only one piece per submission.
Top prize
$250
Additional prizes
Publication in digital and print
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $6
Deadline: June 30, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Script Writing, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestThe Masters Review Short Story Contest
The Masters Review
Summer is for Short Stories! The Masters Review’s Short Story Award for New Writers is a bi-annual contest that recognizes the best fiction from today’s emerging writers. The winner receives a $3,000 prize and agency review, and their story will be published online in late winter/early spring. Second and third place finalists will be awarded publication, agency review and $300/$200 prizes. Entries must be under 6,000 words.
Top prize
$3,000
Additional prizes
Second and third place prizes ($300 / $200, publication, and agency review)
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: August 28, 2022
Genres
Flash Fiction, Short Story
View contestKatherine Anne Porter Prize in Short Fiction
University of North Texas Press
The University of North Texas Press announces the 2023 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, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Flash Fiction, Novella, Short Story
View contestFlash Fiction Competition
Globe Soup
Globe Soup are looking for the best flash fiction of no more than 800 words. The competition features a secret location in which all participants must set their story. Participants can get extensive feedback on their entry by joining Globe Soup's writing group and free entry to their monthly micro fiction contests and other opportunities to win cash prizes!
Top prize
£1000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $16
Deadline: December 31, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
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: December 31, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story
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
Additional prizes
Publication in Third Wednesday magazine
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $6
Deadline: August 15, 2022
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, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story
View contestFusilli Flash Fiction
Fusilli Writing
Free flash fiction competition for stories up to 200 words with a twist. Competition always open, with a winner announced and published online after 100 entries received (story count on website). Feedback and the PDF ‘An introduction the writing good flash fiction’ offered for (£5 or equivalent).
Top prize
Publication on website
Additional prizes
Social media promotion
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: December 31, 2022
Genres
Flash Fiction
View contestFanstory Writing Contests
Fanstory
Subscribe to Fanstory for $9.95 a month and enter as many contests as you like from their list of writing and poetry contests, updated daily. All participants receive feedback from a community of writers, and the winner of each contest receives a cash prize of up to $100.
Top prize
Cash prizes of up to $100
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: January 31, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Poetry, Short Story
View contestBlurred Genres Flash Contest
Invisible City
Invisible City's Blurred Genres Flash Contest, judged by Lynn Steger Strong, is open for free submissions March 1 through 31. $500 to first place, $200 to second, $100 to third, and publication for the top five. Entries must be 750 words or less unpublished flash fiction, prose poetry, or something in between.
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
$200 to second, $100 to third, publication for top 5
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: March 31, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Flash Fiction, Poetry
View contestLazuli Literary Group Writing Contest
Lazuli Literary Group
We are not concerned with genre distinctions. Send us the best you have; we want only for it to be thoughtful, intelligent, and beautiful. We want art that grows in complexity upon each visitation; we enjoy ornate, cerebral, and voluptuous phrases executed with thematic intent.
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
Publication in "AZURE: A Journal of Literary Thought"
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: May 22, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Essay, Fiction, Poetry, Short Story, Flash Fiction, Non-fiction, Novella, Script Writing
View contestWOW! Women On Writing Quarterly 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, communication, and well-rewarded recognition to contestants.
Top prize
$400
Additional prizes
Interview on WOW! Blog, $25 Amazon gift card
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: May 31, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Flash Fiction, Fiction, Short Story
View contestF(r)iction Flash Fiction Contest
F(r)iction
We seek work that actively pushes boundaries, that forces us to question traditions and tastes. If your work takes risks, we want to read it. You may submit up to three entires for $12. A single entry is $10. Each entry can be up to 1,000 words long.
Top prize
$300
Additional prizes
Considered for publication in F(r)iction
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: April 28, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction
View contest2023 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 31, 2023
Genres
Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Novel, Short Story
View contest100 Word Writing Contest
Tadpole Press
100 words per entry. Submit as many entries as you’d like. All ages. All genders. All nationalities. All writers welcome. This year's theme is the power of words. The words we write, the words we say, the words we keep to ourselves. They make a difference in the lives of those around us. How can you use your words to instill a sense of calm, of hope, of community? To remind one another of the beauty of diversity. To encourage us to support, love, and inspire one another.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
2nd: writing coach package 3rd: developmental or diversity editing package.
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: April 30, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestBiopage Storytelling Writing Contest
Biopage
Biopage is hosting a writing contest to remind people the benefits of writing. Each story (or once chapter of your stories) is limited to 5,000 characters or roughly 1,000 words. You can write about good life experience, or bad, embarrassing, frightening ones. You can win $300, and five runners-up can win $100 each.
Top prize
$300
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: July 31, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Short Story, Flash Fiction
View contest
