The Best Short Story Writing Contests of 2022
Writing competitions curated by Reedsy
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Join our short story competition
Submit a short story based on 1 of 5 weekly prompts. Winners get $250.
Showing 196 contests
The Reedsy Prompts Contest
Reedsy
Respond to one of Reedsy's weekly writing prompt newsletters with a short story for the chance to win $250 and be featured on the Reedsy Blog!
Top prize
$250
Additional prizes
Publication on Reedsy Blog
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $5
Deadline: December 31, 2022
Genres
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
$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 contestThe Bedford Competition
The Bedford Competition
We are an International Competition with prizes totalling £3000 including special awards for 17-25 year olds. All winning and shortlisted entries are published by our partners, Ostrich Books. We donate proceeds to charities that support literary and literacy skills.
Top prize
$1,221
Additional prizes
2nd: $244 | 3rd: $122
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $9
Deadline: October 31, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Poetry, Short Story
View contestMyth: SaveAs Writers' International Writing Competition 2022
SaveAs Writers
National and International entries are welcome. SaveAs Writers invite entries of poetry and prose for their annual competition. 2022 celebrates the centenary of the publication of James Joyce’s Ulysses. In the tradition of Joyce's novel, the work should display a link to myth, Greek, Roman, Norse, Indian, Icelandic or any other, and may be set in any period.
Top prize
245
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $5
Deadline: October 31, 2022
Genres
Poetry, Short Story
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 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 contestHenshaw Short Story Competition
Henshaw Press
A short story on any subject up to 2000 words. Results announced by the end of October 2022. Prize winners published on the Henshawpress website and in our next Anthology. Optional Critiques a further £14. Free critiques for authors aged sixteen and under.
Top prize
$237
Additional prizes
2nd: $118 | 3rd: $60
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $7
Deadline: September 30, 2022
Genres
Christian, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, LGBTQ, Mystery, Suspense, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, Travel
View contestCalvino Prize
University of Louisville
The Calvino Prize is an annual fiction competition sponsored by the Creative Writing Program in the English Department of the University of Louisville. They will be awarded to outstanding pieces of fiction in the fabulist experimentalist style of Italo Calvino. The first place entry will be published in Miracle Monocle journal at the University of Louisville.
Top prize
$2,000
Additional prizes
Publication in Miracle Monocle
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $25
Deadline: October 15, 2022
Genres
Novel, Novella, Short Story
View contestNarrative Prize
Narrative Magazine
The Narrative Prize is awarded annually for the best short story, novel excerpt, poem, one-act play, graphic story, or work of literary nonfiction published by a new or emerging writer in Narrative. The submission system is open all year.
Top prize
$4,000
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $27
Deadline: June 15, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, 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: August 28, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Flash Fiction, Short Story
View contestWriters of the Future
Writer's of the Future
L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future Contest is an opportunity for new writers of science fiction and fantasy to have their work judged by some of the masters in the field and discovered by a wide audience. Prizes of $1000, $750 and $500 are awarded every three months. From the four 1st Place winners each year, one story is selected as the grand prize winner and the author receives an additional $5000 cash prize.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
$750 for 2nd place, $500 for 3rd, £5000 annual grand prize
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: September 30, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Short Story, Fantasy, Science Fiction
View contestAnnual Flash Fiction Competition
Flash 500
This quarterly open-themed competition has closing dates of 31st March, 30th June, 30th September and 31st December. The results will be announced about six weeks after each closing date and the three winning entries each quarter will be published on the website.
Top prize
£300
Additional prizes
£200, £100
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $7
Deadline: September 30, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Short Story
View contestScienceQuest NextGen Science Literary Writing Competition
Zoomcatchers
Established to recognize and encourage creative writing and provide a platform for publication, this science literary competition is open to original and previously unpublished short stories in the English language by a writer of any nationality, living anywhere in the world. Writing samples submitted must be from the genres of: Science fiction, Dystopian, Futuristic, Fantasy, Paranormal We accept essay, short story, and novel submissions up to 15 pages in length, double-spaced.
Top prize
$200
Additional prizes
Consultation with literary agent Leticia Gomez
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: August 15, 2022
Genres
Essay, Fantasy, Novel, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Young Adult
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 contestTLOP Anthology of Contemporary Writers 2022
The League of POETS
The League of POETS is proud to announce our 2022 anthology contest. This year we are looking for poetry and short story entries that edify the theme of industrialism. We want entries that defines the new age of our global village.
Top prize
Publication and Certificate of Distinction
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $2
Deadline: September 25, 2022
Genres
Poetry, Short Story
View contestElegant Literature's Contest For New Writers
Elegant Literature
We are the first magazine to pay professional rates and only accept submissions from new writers. We don't allow pros to submit, so your work has a better chance to be selected. Each month we hold a contest based on a short fiction prompt. You write a wonderful story and enter the contest. We choose the winner who receives the grand prize. We also choose the best stories, pay the authors above-professional rates, and publish them in our magazine.
Top prize
$3,000
Additional prizes
Paid publication, 25 x $20 USD.
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: July 31, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
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 contestSadie Tells Stories
Sadie Tells Stories
Are you an author who loves magic? Do you have an idea for a super short story that needs to be shared with the world? If you answered yes to both of those questions this contest is for you! The story can be about anything magical. Maybe it’s something that you’ve experienced in real life or it’s something you’ve created. Maybe it’s the start of a great idea. Maybe it’ll be the thing that inspires you to finally publish your book. Sadie Tells Stories loves all things magic and wonder. And she loves not just the magic she can create but sharing the magic that others do as well. She can’t wait to read your stories!
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
$150 USD for second prize
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $10
Deadline: March 31, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fantasy, Fiction, Short Story
View contestThe TLOP Weekly Contest
The League of POETS
After a long hiatus, The League of POETS is happy to announce its return to literary activities. Each of our new weekly contest will have a different topic and different theme — this is done to encourage diversity among ideas. We want to see poetry and short stories that explore different emotions and take on a fresh new perspective on life.
Top prize
Certificate of Distinction
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: July 15, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Poetry, Short Story
View contestThe Story I Needed To Have Read
Exisle Academy
Sometimes, the right story at the right moment can give us the courage we need to overcome adversity. And when that story doesn't already exist, we need to make it ourselves. Write a short story - in any genre, fiction or fact - that helped or would have helped you at a pivotal moment in your life. One winner will receive up to $2000 worth of training and coaching with Exisle Academy, including the opportunity to discuss developing a book with our editors. Entry is encouraged from writers of all types from all background’s cultures and abilities. We are seeking entries from as diverse a set of communities as possible. Top entries will be published on our website, with their permission.
Top prize
$2,000
Additional prizes
Free enrolment to the "Become a Successful Author" course
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: August 28, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Non-fiction, Short Story
View contestTo Hull and Back Humorous Short Story Contest
Christopher Fielden
July 2022 saw the launch of the 8th To Hull And Back Short Story Competition, a biennial short story contest with a humorous twist that celebrates the most imaginative and amazing short stories from writers all over the world.
Top prize
£1,200
Additional prizes
2nd Prize: £600 | 3rd Prize: £300 | 3 x Highly Commended: £150 | 14 x Shortlisted: £75
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $16
Deadline: June 30, 2023
Genres
Fiction, Humor, Non-fiction, Short Story
View contestThe Booksie 2022 Short Story Contest
Booksie
We're looking for the most interesting, original stories that will make us laugh, cry and see the world in a slightly different way. The winner will receive the Booksie Short Story Award, which comes with a hefty cash prize, a gold trophy badge, and one week of free Boosts. We also have awards for the runner-ups. Maximum length of 5,000 words.
Top prize
$50
Additional prizes
2nd and 3rd: $100 cash
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $6
Deadline: September 24, 2022
Genres
Short Story
View contestLetter Review Prize for Short Stories
Letter Review
Letter Review is offering $1000 USD total prize pool in a competition for short stories between 400 - 2000 words. No genre or theme restrictions! All winners receive publication at Letter Review. Twenty entries will be longlisted, who have the option to discuss publication at Letter Review too.
Top prize
$650
Additional prizes
2nd: $250 | 3rd: $150
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $20
Deadline: October 31, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Short Story
View contestGreen Stories Writing Competitions
Green Stories project at University of Southampton
Organised by the University of Southampton, Green Stories is a ‘free’ writing competition project with a range of categories for novelists and short story writers. Entries should conform with positive visions of more sustainable futures and/or the inclusion of green solutions but needn’t have an explicitly green theme.
Top prize
Between £100-£1000
Additional prizes
Publication support and publicity
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: December 31, 2022
Genres
Fiction, Novel, Short Story
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 contestCAS Short Story Competition
CAS
Short story competition open to all writers all over the world. There is no theme and all subjects and genres are welcome. Entries must be written in English and be at least 2,000 words in length and no more than 4,000 words.
Top prize
$968
Additional prizes
$484 second place, $242 third place and $36 for 7 runners up
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $9
Deadline: July 01, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Short Story
View contestHastings Book Festival - Short Story
Hastings Book Festival
Short Story Competition judged by VG Lee. Enter a short story in with any theme within a 2500 word limit. The winning entries in each category will receive a cash prize of £250. The runner up in each category will receive a cash prize of £50. Prizes will be presented in person at the festival closing celebration in Hastings on Sunday 25th September. There are a limited number of bursaries available for low income or unemployed writers.
Top prize
$302
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $9
Deadline: July 31, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Short Story
View contestBest Indie Book Award
Best Indie Book Award
The annual Best Indie Book Award® (or BIBA®) is an international literary awards contest recognizing self-published and independently published authors from all over the world. Entries are limited to independently (indie) published books, including those from small presses, e-book publishers, and self-published authors.
Top prize
Trophy
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $65
Deadline: October 01, 2022
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Novel, Novella, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
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 contest2nd Annual WCWF Writing Contest
Wine Country Writers' Festival
Fire up those pens and get those unpublished stories and poems submitted to WCWF 2nd Annual Writing Contest. Three winners in each category, publication in Anthology, and your own copy. Entries: $15 or two for $25.
Top prize
$150
Additional prizes
2nd Place: $75 | 3rd Place: $50
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $15
Deadline: July 29, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Non-fiction, Poetry, Romance, Science Fiction, Science Writing, Short Story, Thriller, Young Adult
View contestBeagle North Competition
Beagle North
The theme for Beagle North's short story competition changes quarterly. - Your story must be no longer than 2,500 words (not including the title) - Only one story permitted per person, each quarter - Stories must be in English
Top prize
£20 Amazon Voucher
Additional prizes
£10 Amazon voucher for 2nd and 3rd place
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: June 30, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Humor, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Short Story, Thriller
View contestBlack Voices in Children's Literature
Free Spirit Publishing
Seeking Black Midwestern writers 18 years and older to submit an original fiction or nonfiction children’s story for a picture book. Manuscripts 300–800 words (ages 4–8) or 50–125 words (ages 0–4) in length. Must feature contemporary Black characters and culture.
Top prize
$1,000
Additional prizes
Meeting with Strive and Free Spirit; 2nd $500; 3rd $250, t-shirt and totebag for all winners
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: $0
Deadline: July 24, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Fiction, Short Story, Young Adult
View contestRotary Club of Stratford Short Story Contest
Rotary Club of Stratford
Tell us your story! Short story (no more than 2500 words) contest open to residents of Ontario and Michigan; both adult and youth categories.
Top prize
$500
Additional prizes
Adults: 2nd $250; 3rd $100 | Youth: 1st $250; 2nd $100; 3rd $50
Entry requirements
💰 Fee: FREE
Deadline: June 30, 2022 (Expired)
Genres
Short Story
View contest
