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Best Short Story Contests for 2026

Updated July 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
    University of Pittsburgh Press

    Drue Heinz Literature Prize

    University of Pittsburgh Press is offering the Drue Heinz Literature Prize, recognizing an unpublished manuscript of short stories, novellas, or a combination thereof from previously published writers worldwide, with publication by University of Pittsburgh…

    $25,000 + publication by University of Pittsburgh PressDeadline: Jul 31, 2026Free 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
    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
  5. 5
    Granum Foundation

    Granum Foundation – Granum Foundation Prize; Granum Foundation Translation Prize

    Granum Foundation is accepting submissions for the Granum Foundation Prize and Granum Foundation Translation Prize, recognizing excellence in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and translation with no entry fee

    5,000Deadline: Aug 1, 2026Entry fee: Free
  6. 6
    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: Sep 30, 2026Entry fee: $25.00
  7. 7
    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)
  8. 8
    Masters Review

    Summer Short Story Award for New Writers

    Masters Review is offering the Summer Short Story Award for New Writers to recognize emerging short story writers

    $3,000 cash prizeDeadline: Aug 30, 2026Entry fee: $20
  9. 9
    EVENT Magazine

    2026 EVENT Creative Non-Fiction Contest

    EVENT Magazine is accepting submissions for their 2026 Creative Non-Fiction Contest, offering cash prizes and publication in EVENT for creative nonfiction writers, with first place receiving $1,500, second place $1,000, and third place $500, plus all winning…

    $3,000 total in prizes (1st: $1,500, 2nd: $1,000, 3rd: $500)Deadline: Oct 15, 2026Entry fee: $34.95
  10. 10
    Commonweal Prize for Short Fiction 2026

    Commonweal Prize for Short Fiction 2026: Short Takes

    Commonweal Prize for Short Fiction 2026 is accepting submissions for Short Takes, brief reportorial pieces of 1,000 to 2,000 words that provide facts, information, and interpretation on current topics, open to writers of nonfiction at any career stage

    $1,000 + publication in July/August 2026 issueRolling deadlineFree to enter
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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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