A list of open calls for fiction submissions compiled from across the country and worldwide, updated weekly.
Short Story Contest
Sponsor – On the Premises
Deadline Date – None posted
Funding – $75.00 – $250.00
Program Information – View Details
Synopsis
On The Premises holds contests for short stories. Each contest challenges writers to produce a great story based on a broad premise provided in the contest rules.
For the current contest (#42), entrants are invited to write a creative, compelling, well-crafted story between 1,000 and 5,000 words long based on the photograph shown on the contest webpage.
Objectives
On The Premises holds contests for short stories. Each contest challenges writers to produce a great story based on a broad premise provided in the contest rules.
Eligibility
All short stories must be between 1,000 and 5,000 words long. One submission per author per contest will be accepted. Stories must be in English. Stories must not have been published prior. There is no fee for entering the contest.
Funding
Winners receive cash prizes and publication. The prizes are:
- First Place — US $250
- Second Place — US $200
- Third Place — US $150
- Honorable Mention — US $75
Flash Fiction Competition
Sponsor – Mslexia
Deadline Date – September 18, 2023
Funding – $640.00
Program Information – View Details
Synopsis
Mslexia welcomes previously unpublished submissions from women for a competition for the best Flash Fiction story of up to 300 words. The winning writing will receive £500 and be published in Mslexia.
Objectives
The Flash Fiction category is for writers who prefer to keep their storytelling concise. Entries can be up to 300 words. Entries should be in English (or English dialect) and should not have been published or accepted for publication elsewhere. Entries that have won or are under consideration in other competitions are not eligible.
Eligibility
Mslexia will accept stories from women of any nationality from any country.
Funding
The winner will receive £500, and three other finalists will each receive £50. The winning entry and three finalists will be published in the December 2023 edition of Mslexia. The winning entry, three finalists and eight additional shortlisted stories will also appear in Mslexia’s ebook anthology, Best Women’s Short Fiction 2023, which will be published in December 2023.
Solas Awards for Best Travel Story of the Year
Sponsor – Travelers’ Tales
Deadline Date – September 21, 2023
Funding – $500.00 – $1000.00
Program Information – View Details
Synopsis
The Solas Awards is an annual competition to honor excellence in travel writing, with the top prize consisting of a $1,000 cash award.
Objectives
Extraordinary stories about travel and the human spirit have been the cornerstones of the sponsor’s books since 1993. With the Solas Awards the sponsor honors writers whose work inspires others to explore. The sponsor searches for the best stories about travel and the world funny, illuminating, adventurous, uplifting, scary, inspiring, poignant stories that reflect the unique alchemy that occurs when you enter unfamiliar territory and begin to see the world differently as a result.
Eligibility
The Competition is open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 years or older at the time of entry. Due to certain state law restrictions, residents of Arizona and Vermont may enter the Competition and compete for recognition but are not eligible to win cash prizes. Employees (i.e., persons who receive a salary or fixed wage for services that are not provided on an independent contractor basis) of Sponsor, its affiliated companies and advertising and promotional agencies, and the immediate family members of and any persons domiciled with any such employees, are not eligible to enter or win. For clarification, former employees of Travelers’ Tales, and editors, authors and contributors who have performed services for Travelers’ Tales on an independent contractor basis and/or contributed works to Travelers’ Tales publications (whether for free or in exchange for honoraria or other discrete payments) are not excluded from eligibility and may participate in the Competition. The Competition is void outside the U.S. and where prohibited by law.
Funding
Winners of the Grand Prize for Best Travel Story of the Year in Gold, Silver, and Bronze will win cash and publication on BestTravelWriting.com and TravelersTales.com. Winners in the categories will win publication on both web sites, and all winners will be considered for publication in our book series, The Best Travel Writing. Grand Prize for Best Travel Story of the Year:
- $1,000 Gold;
- $750 Silver;
- $500 Bronze.
Acheven Book Prize for Young Adult Fiction
Sponsor – Fitzroy Books
Deadline Date – September 30, 2023
Funding – $750.00 USD
Program Information – View Details
Synopsis
Fitzroy Books invites submissions for the annual Acheven Book Prize for Young Adult fiction. A prize of $750 and book publication will be awarded.
Objectives
The Acheven Book Prize will be issued to a work of compelling fiction for the Young Adult market. Manuscripts should be a minimum of 120 pages, maximum of 350 pages. Contestants may submit the manuscript elsewhere simultaneously, but must notify Regal House Publishing immediately if a manuscript is accepted by another publisher. Contestants may submit more than one manuscript, but a separate entry fee ($25 per entry) and entry form must accompany each manuscript.
Eligibility
Entrants must be at least 18 years of age. Translations, previously published, and collaborative manuscripts are not eligible. Employees and volunteers of Regal House Publishing, Pact Press, Fitzroy Books or The Regal House Initiative, their partners or spouses, their immediate families, or immediate family of the judge are not eligible.
Funding
The winner will receive a prize of $750 and book publication by Fitzroy Books and Regal House Publishing in 2025/6 in paperback, hardcover, and ebook editions.
