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Best Short Story Contests for 2026

Updated August 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
    Royal Society of Literature

    RSL Giles St Aubyn Awards for Non-Fiction

    Royal Society of Literature is offering the Giles St Aubyn Awards for Non-Fiction, providing financial support to debut non-fiction authors with a publishing contract from a UK or Ireland-based publisher, with three awards given annually to help writers…

    £10,000 / £5,000 / £2,500 (three awards each year)Deadline: Sep 1, 2026Free to enter
  5. 5
    New York Public Library

    Young Lions Fiction Award

    New York Public Library is offering the Young Lions Fiction Award to recognize exceptional fiction by authors under 35

    $10,000Deadline: Sep 3, 2026Free to enter
  6. 6
    University of New Orleans Press

    2026 University of New Orleans Press Publishing Lab Prize

    University of New Orleans Press is accepting full-length fiction manuscripts (novels and short story collections) from authors of any country and publishing history for the 2026 Publishing Lab Prize, offering an advance on royalties and a publishing contract…

    $10,000Deadline: Sep 1, 2026Entry fee: $28.00
  7. 7
    Dzanc Books

    Dzanc Books – Prize for Fiction; Short Story Collection Competition; Poetry Prize

    Dzanc Books is accepting submissions across fiction and poetry for their Prize for Fiction, Short Story Collection Competition, and Poetry Prize

    5,000Deadline: Oct 1, 2026Entry fee: $25.00
  8. 8
    The Missouri Review

    Jeffrey E. Smith Editors' Prize — $5,000 in Fiction, Nonfiction, and Poetry

    The Missouri Review is accepting submissions for their Jeffrey E.

    $5,000 per category (fiction, nonfiction, poetry)Deadline: Oct 1, 2026Entry fee: $25 (includes one-year digital subscription; $30 all-access option)
  9. 9
    Red Hen Press

    Cai Emmons Fiction Award

    To honor the life and enduring legacy of beloved novelist Cai Emmons, who published three novels through Red Hen Press ( Weather Woman , Sinking Islands , and Livid ) and who passed away with dignity on January 2, 2023, after a hard-fought battle with ALS…

    $5,000Deadline: Jan 15, 2027Entry fee: $25.00
  10. 10
    CRAFT

    CRAFT 2026 Flash Prose Prize — Guest Judge Amy Hempel

    CRAFT is offering their 2026 Flash Prose Prize for flash fiction and flash creative nonfiction under 1,000 words, with three winners selected by guest judge Amy Hempel each receiving publication in CRAFT, a bundle of Rose Metal Press Field Guides, and cash…

    $3,600 in prizesDeadline: Sep 14, 2026Entry fee: $20.00
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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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