Best Short Story Contests for 2026
Updated November 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.
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Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize for Nonfiction
The organization 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$75,000OngoingFree to enter - 2
Fiction (Novel or Short Story Collection)
The organization 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 SGDOngoingFree to enter - 3
Richard J. organization hidden — members only Nonfiction Journalism Award
The organization 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…
$10,000 top prize + residencyOpen · closes Jul 1, 2027Free to enter - 4
organization hidden — members only John Hinde Award for Excellence in Science Fiction Writing
The organization is offering the John Hinde Award for Excellence in Science Fiction Writing, a competition recognizing emerging science fiction writers who are the organization members with a share of prize money
$10,000 totalTypically runs Mar – AprEntry fee: $50 - 5
Short Story Challenge 2027
The organization is running its 21st annual Short Story Challenge, open to writers worldwide, in which entrants write original stories across four timed rounds with genre, subject, and character assignments, receiving judge feedback on every submission while…
$8,500 top prizeOpen · closes Jan 22, 2027Entry fee: from $65 - 6
The organization hidden — members only Prize 2027 — Books of Fiction, Literary Nonfiction and Poetry
The organization is accepting entries for The organization Prize 2027, a national book prize honoring a full-length fiction, literary nonfiction, or poetry book first published in the United States in English during 2026, with the author receiving a…
$7,500Open · closes Nov 30Entry fee: $85 - 7
Neilma Sidney Short Story Prize (non-subscriber)
The organization is offering a cash first prize plus two runner-up awards through the Neilma Sidney Short Story Prize, which seeks original fiction of up to 3,000 words on the theme of travel, with the winning story published in the organization.
$5,000 AUD top prize + moreOpen · closes Dec 4Entry fee: $20 - 8
AWP Award Series
The organization is offering the AWP Award Series, an annual book-length competition in creative nonfiction, poetry, short story, and novel categories for emerging and established writers
Up to $5,500 + publicationOngoingEntry fee: from $20 - 9
Cai Emmons Fiction Award
To honor the life and enduring legacy of beloved novelist Cai Emmons, who published three novels through the organization ( Weather Woman, Sinking Islands, and Livid ) and who passed away with dignity on January 2, 2023, after a hard-fought battle with ALS…
$5,000 + publicationOpen · closes Jan 15, 2027Entry fee: $25 - 10
Short Story
The organization is accepting short stories of up to 5,000 words, with no minimum length, for its Short Story contest, and multiple entries are permitted with each submission entered separately
£5,000 top prize + moreOpen · closes May 31, 2027Entry fee: £15
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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- Best Writing Contests for 2026The best writing contests open right now — fiction, poetry, and essay prizes ranked by award size, with deadlines, entry fees, and who can enter.