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Best Short Story Contests for 2026

Updated September 2026 · Top 10 · Ranked automatically from live listings

This list ranks the best short story and flash fiction contests currently open to entries, ordered by prize size with free-to-enter contests ranked ahead of fee-based ones. Every entry shows its deadline and fee, and contests past deadline drop off automatically — everything here is open right now.

  1. 1
    Writers' Trust of Canada

    Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Nonfiction

    Writers' Trust of Canada is offering the Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Nonfiction to recognize excellence in Canadian nonfiction writing, with multiple submission deadlines throughout the year

    C$75,000Rolling deadlineFree to enter
  2. 2
    Epigram Literary Foundation Ltd

    Fiction (Novel or Short Story Collection)

    Epigram Literary Foundation Ltd is accepting novel or short story collection submissions for their annual Fiction Prize, with shortlisted entries announced in November and the winner announced the following January

    $25,000 SGDRolling deadlineFree to enter
  3. 3
    Baton Rouge Area Foundation

    Baton Rouge Area Foundation – Ernest J

    Baton Rouge Area Foundation is accepting submissions for the Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence, recognizing outstanding fiction

    $15,000 cash prizeDeadline: Oct 31, 2026Free to enter
  4. 4
    PEN/Faulkner Foundation

    PEN/Faulkner Foundation – Award for Fiction

    PEN/Faulkner Foundation is accepting fiction submissions for their Award for Fiction with no entry fee

    $15,000Deadline: Sep 30, 2026Entry fee: $95
  5. 5
    Fiction Collective 2

    2027 FC2 Catherine Doctorow Innovative Fiction Prize

    Fiction Collective 2 is accepting submissions for the Catherine Doctorow Innovative Fiction Prize, open to mid-career and established U.S.

    $15,000 and publication by FC2 (University of Alabama Press)Deadline: Nov 1, 2026Entry fee: $25.00
  6. 6
    Margolis Award

    Richard J. Margolis Nonfiction Journalism Award

    Margolis Award is offering a one-month residency at Blue Mountain Center plus a prize to developing journalists working on nonfiction projects that reflect important social values, with winners announced in November and residencies taking place the following…

    $10,000 prize + one-month residency at Blue Mountain Center; finalists receive $1,000Deadline: Jul 1, 2027Free to enter
  7. 7
    Australian Writers' Guild

    AWG John Hinde Award for Excellence in Science Fiction Writing

    Australian Writers' Guild is offering the John Hinde Award for Excellence in Science Fiction Writing, a competition recognizing emerging science fiction writers who are Australian Writers' Guild members with a share of prize money

    share of $10,000Entry fee: $50 AUD
  8. 8
    English-Speaking Union (Queensland Branch)

    Roly Sussex Short Story Competition 2026 - Open Division

    English-Speaking Union (Queensland Branch) is accepting submissions for the Roly Sussex Short Story Competition 2026, recognizing outstanding short fiction from Australian citizens and permanent residents with cash prizes awarded in the Open Division

    Up to $7,500Deadline: Sep 18, 2026Entry fee: $35.00
  9. 9
    CBC Literary Prizes

    2027 CBC Short Story Prize

    CBC Literary Prizes is accepting submissions for the 2027 CBC Short Story Prize, offering the winner a two-week residency at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity's Leighton Artist Studios and publication on CBC Books, with four finalists also receiving…

    $1,000–$6,000Deadline: Nov 1, 2026Entry fee: $25.00
  10. 10
    Mslexia

    Mslexia – Fiction Competitions

    Mslexia is accepting submissions for their Fiction Competitions across flash fiction, short story, and novel categories (with separate competitions for adult, children's, and young adult fiction) recognizing excellence in women's writing

    £5,000Deadline: Sep 21, 2026Entry fee: £28 (Novel)
Browse all opportunities →

How this list works

This ranking is recomputed automatically from CozyJobs' live opportunity data — no editorial picks. Larger awards rank first, free-to-enter programs rank ahead of fee-based ones at the same award level, and the soonest deadlines break ties. Opportunities past their deadline drop off automatically.

Frequently asked questions

What do short story contests typically pay?+

Top-tier prizes pay $1,500–$15,000 for a single story; solid mid-tier journal contests pay $500–$1,000 plus publication. Flash fiction prizes run smaller ($100–$1,000) but cost less writing time per entry.

Can I submit the same story to multiple contests?+

Usually yes if each allows simultaneous submissions — most do, provided you withdraw immediately if the story wins or is accepted elsewhere. Check each contest's rules; a few prizes require exclusivity while judging.

How is this list ranked and how often does it update?+

Rankings are recomputed automatically from live data: larger awards first, then free-to-enter programs, then the soonest upcoming deadlines. Closed or past-deadline opportunities drop off automatically, so every entry is open at the time you're reading.

Does CozyJobs list opportunities with entry fees?+

Yes, contests and residencies with modest entry fees are included when the award justifies it, and each listing shows the fee up front. Free-to-enter opportunities are ranked ahead of fee-based ones at the same award level.

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