The Best Flash Fiction Writing Contests of 2022
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 59 contests
Dandy Writers Short Story Contest
Dandy Writers
Submit a story of no more than 200 words. Your submission must be in line with the theme of the month. A writer is only permitted to submit one application per month. No more than one application. No plagiarism, even if it’s your work already published. Your work must be yours. Your data entered must be accurate. You must pay the entry fee. Note: Failure to comply with these rules will result to your application cancelled. And your entry fee will not be refunded. Thanks as you obey these rules.
Top prize
$300
Additional prizes
Writing Job
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $5
Deadline: May 30, 2023
Genres
Essay, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Memoir, Non-fiction, Novel, Novella, Short Story
View contestVoice.Club - Flash Fiction Writing Contest
Voice.Club
Voice.club has a strong commitment to writers and writing. Our monthly Flash Fiction writing contests are a wonderful opportunity for writers to practice their craft, share their stories and win prizes! Each entry must be 350 words or less, be family-friendly, and include some reference to the month's theme.
Top prize
$50 USD / $25 USD - Amazon Gift Cards
Additional prizes
Publication Online, Alexa and eBooks
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: December 31, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story
View contestTrue Story Flash
FanStory.com Inc.
Share your flash fiction story. But for this contest we aren't looking for fiction. Rather share your true story with only 100 words. Cash prize!
Top prize
$100
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: May 27, 2022
Genres
Flash Fiction, Non-fiction
View contestIndignor Play House Annual Short Story Annual Competition
Indignor House Publishing
Indignor House Publishing is proud to introduce the start of our annual writing competition with the first award and publication in August of 2022. Submissions will be accepted starting September 1st of each previous year and closing on March 31st of the publication year. Up to 25 submissions will be accepted for inclusion in the annual book publication. Book format will be in three media formats (hardback with jacket, softback, and e-book). Every year, a theme will be announced in June for the next year’s competition. The 2022-year theme is RESENTMENT and short stories can be of any genre. Maximum word count for short stories is up to 5,000 words.
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
Publication in Annual Book, trophy and certificate
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: March 31, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story
View contestStringybark Open Short Story Award 2021
Stringybark Publishing
We are looking for great short stories that address any theme that grabs you. But to just make life not too easy, the story has two stipulations. Firstly, it is to be written for those over the age of 16 and secondly, it must have a link, no matter how tenuous, to Australia. 1500 word limit.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $14
Deadline: February 13, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Mystery, Short Story, Crime, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Science Fiction, Thriller, Young Adult
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. You can write in any genre, but the theme is abundance. Give us a glimpse of something that reveals the abundance of this big, beautiful, unexpected life that we’ve got. Make us “see a World in a Grain of Sand.”
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
2nd: writing coaching package. 3rd: developmental or diversity editing package.
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: April 30, 2022
Genres
Essay, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestParsec Short Story Contest
Triangulation
The theme for the 2021 contest is: Still Waters, Deep Thoughts. This can be conveyed in the setting, plot, characters, dialogue…the only limit is your imagination. The theme must be integral to the story in some way and not just mentioned in passing. All stories must be of the Science Fiction, Fantasy, or Horror genres and no more than 3,500 words.
Top prize
$200
Additional prizes
Publication in the 2020 Confluence program book
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: May 01, 2022
Genres
Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Science Fiction, Short Story
View contestCreate The Future Climate Writing and Solarpunk Competition
Create the Future
Create The Future is running a free global writing competition to help us imagine a better earth for all. All winning entries will be published in a global anthology alongside experts and changemakers. We’d like you to answer the question “What does a sustainable future look like to you? What happens when we dare to dream?” Submissions are open for short fiction (up to 2,000 words) and poetry (up to 40 lines).
Top prize
£50
Additional prizes
Eco lifestyle bundles and publication in global anthology
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: February 13, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Poetry, Short Story
View contestDesperate Literature Prize for Short Fiction
Desperate Literature
The aim of the Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize is both to celebrate the best of new short fiction and to give winners the most visibility possible for their writing. We value fiction that pushes some boundary or another, that wakes us up and shows us something vital and surprising about the world. We are a bookshop and organization based in Madrid, Spain, but our contest welcomes English-language fiction from around the world. There are no geographical limits to enter, but stories must be previously unpublished, and under 2,000 words. Judges for the 2022 prize are Ottessa Moshfegh and Joanna Walsh. Sponsorships and discounted entry fees available; see our website. 1st place: a week's residency at the Civitella Ranieri Foundation, consultation with a UK literary agent, manuscript consultation. One shortlister is offered an additional residency or opportunity at the Writers’ House of Georgia, Tbilisi. Top 11 stories are published in our magazine and in our partner journals.
Top prize
€1,500
Additional prizes
2nd and 3rd place: €750
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $23
Deadline: April 15, 2020 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story
View contestWriter's Digest Short Short Story Competition
Writer's Digest
We’re looking for short fiction stories! Think you can write a winning story in 1,500 words or less? Enter the 22nd Annual Writer’s Digest Short Short Story Competition for your chance to win $3,000 in cash, get published in Writer’s Digest magazine, and a paid trip to our ever-popular Writer’s Digest Conference! One 1st Place Winner will receive: $3,000 in cash, their short story title published in Writer’s Digest magazine’s September/October 2022 issue, a paid trip to the Writer’s Digest Annual Conference, including a coveted Pitch Slam slot The 2nd Place Winner will receive: $1,500 in cash, their short story title published in Writer’s Digest magazine’s September/October 2022 issue The 3rd Place Winner will receive: $500 in cash, their short story title published in Writer’s Digest magazine’s September/October 2022 issue 4th - 10th Place Winners will receive: $100 in cash, their short story titles published in Writer’s Digest magazine’s September/October 2022 issue 11th - 25th Place Winners will receive: A $50 gift certificate for writersdigestshop.com
Top prize
$3,000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $30
Deadline: January 17, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction
View contestThe Masters Review Short Story Contest
The Masters Review
Welcome to our Short Story Award for New Writers, 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
Second and third place prizes ($300 / $200, publication, and agency review)
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: January 31, 2022
Genres
Flash Fiction, Short Story
View contestFlash 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
$1,000
Additional prizes
Feedback by industry professionals. Guaranteed feedback by at least 5 of your peers.
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: February 04, 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: March 31, 2022
Genres
Flash Fiction, Non-fiction
View contestSeason Themes
HAVOK Publishing
HAVOK is a constant flash fiction contest, with rolling deadlines. Each season is split into monthly competitions with thematically connected prompts in a range of genres.
Top prize
$100
Additional prizes
Publication in an anthology. Potential for larger gift card wins.
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: January 31, 2022
Genres
Fantasy, Flash Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller
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, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Poetry, Short Story
View contest#GWstorieseverywhere
Gotham Writers
Each month we invite you to post a story on Twitter using #GWstorieseverywhere for a chance to win a free class. Your story must be no longer than 25 words, with a max of 280 characters, including spaces and the hashtag #GWstorieseverywhere.
Top prize
Gotham Writers Workshop
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: January 31, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction
View contestThe Lascaux Prize in Flash Fiction
The Lascaux Review
Stories may be previously published or unpublished, and simultaneous submissions are accepted. True stories and prose poetry are welcome as long as they’re written in a narrative style. Winner receives $1,000, a bronze medallion, and publication online in The Lascaux Review. The winner and all finalists will be published in the annual print journal.
Top prize
$1,000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: June 30, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction
View contestThe Alpine Fellowship Writing Prize
Alpine Fellowship
Awarded for the best piece of writing on the theme of the Alpine Fellowship 2021 - Untamed: On Wilderness and Civilization. A maximum of 2,500 words per entry.
Top prize
£10,000
Additional prizes
£3,000, £2,000, invitation to attend the Fjällnäs symposium.
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: April 01, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story
View contestJacob Zilber Prize for Short Fiction
Prism
Winter means one thing around these parts: our annual Jacob Zilber Prize for Short Fiction is now open for submissions! The prize is named for Jacob Zilber, who played a central role founding the University of British Columbia’s department of creative writing, (the very first of its kind in Canada) and PRISM international (us!).
Top prize
$1,500
Additional prizes
$600, $400
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $40
Deadline: January 16, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story
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
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $8
Deadline: January 31, 2022
Genres
Christian, Crime, Fantasy, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, LGBTQ, Mystery, Suspense, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, Travel
View contestQueer Sci-Fi Flash Fiction Contest
Queer Sci-Fi
Every year, QSF holds a flash fiction contest to create an amazing new anthology of queer speculative fiction stories. We ask authors to do the nearly-impossible – to submit a sci fi, fantasy, paranormal or horror LGBTIQA story that has no more than 300 words. The theme for 2022 is "Clarity".
Top prize
$75
Additional prizes
Top 3 stories published in an ebook
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: May 01, 2022
Genres
Flash Fiction, LGBTQ, Science Fiction
View contestFunny Festival Fables
C.A.A.B Publishin
Write us a short story about the festive period. We want tales about silly snowmen, naughty elves, and hilarious stories that would make Santa go HO! HO! HO! Entries should be around 1,000 words or less and must be sent as a Word Document with no pictures.
Top prize
$40
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: August 31, 2022
Genres
Children's, Flash Fiction
View contestStone Soup Flash Fiction Contest
Stone Soup
Stone Soup holds a Flash Contest during the first week of every month. The month’s first Weekly Creativity prompt provides the contest challenge. Submissions are due by midnight on Sunday of the same week. Up to five winners are chosen for publication on our blog. The winners, along with up to five honorable mentions, are announced in the following Saturday Newsletter.
Top prize
Publication on Stone Soup's blog
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: December 01, 2022
Genres
Children's, Flash Fiction
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: February 01, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story
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: January 31, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story
View contestThe Screw Turn Flash Fiction Competition
The Ghost Story
We’re interested in flash fiction pieces of between 250 and 1,000 words. We’re seeking the finest work we can find that incorporates an uncanny element. Ghost stories are welcome, of course—but your submission may involve any paranormal or supernatural theme, as well as magic realism. What we’re looking for is superb writing, fresh perspectives, and maybe a few surprises.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
print and online publication
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: January 31, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Mystery, Short Story, Thriller
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: February 28, 2022
Genres
Flash Fiction, Fiction, Short Story
View contestCranked Anvil Flash Fiction Competition
Cranked Anvil Press
Our quarterly flash fiction competition is open for entries all year round. The competition is open to any theme or genre, and your story must be a maximum of 500 words (not including the title). You can enter up to two stories in each quarterly competition ($3 to enter one story, $5 for two).
Top prize
£100
Additional prizes
£25, publication online
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $3
Deadline: February 28, 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, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Crime, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Science Fiction, Thriller
View contestMinds Shine Bright Writing Competition
Minds Shine Bright
Calling writers of fiction. Minds Shine Bright is an Australian writing competition. After a couple of topsy turvy years it’s time to explore the theme of confidence. There are four categories including short stories, flash fiction, scripts and poetry.
Top prize
$1000 (AUS)
Additional prizes
Winners published in an anthology
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $4
Deadline: February 28, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Poetry, Script Writing, Short Story
View contestEthos Literacy Annual Short Short Story Contest
Ethos Literacy
The challenge: write a story using 100 words on one of four topics. Open to all ages with a special prize for authors 14 years or younger. The contest supports nonprofit literacy programs.
Top prize
$250
Additional prizes
6 cash prizes of $100 each; publication in digital magazine, inclusion in webcast
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: January 31, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story
View contestBridport Flash Fiction Prize
Bridport Arts Centre
It may be the sprint of creative writing but that doesn’t mean you can rush the creative process. Take us somewhere fast then let your story marinade in the reader's mind. Make every one of your 250 words count. There is no minimum number of words, just like there is no limit to your imagination. They say lightning doesn't strike twice but we want to feel the electricity in your story right from the beginning through to the very end.
Top prize
£1000
Additional prizes
£500 for 2nd, £250 for 3rd
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $12
Deadline: May 31, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Flash 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, £200 for 3rd
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $12
Deadline: February 06, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction
View contestEtched Onyx and the Story Discovery Podcast
Onyx Publications
Submitted works must be previously unpublished fiction, nonfiction, poetry or flash fiction. We are open to all styles, genres, and types of writing. We suggest you checkout our free archived editions to get a sense of what we publish. All stories published in the magazine also include a narration of the story and an author interview on our podcast. **Early Bird deadline 8th October, reduced fee of $7.50**
Top prize
$350
Additional prizes
Publication in Etched Onyx On-line magazine
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $11
Deadline: November 26, 2021 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Flash Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Non-fiction, Poetry, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller
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 contest
