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International Writing Competitions 2019

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Writers should be paid for their work – whether it is through competitions or submitting to literary magazines. This is my updated list of flash and short story competitions open to international submissions for 2019. The competitions are listed in time order of the deadline.

It is worthwhile for emerging writers to enter these competitions to practice writing to deadlines and rules, tighten their prose and hopefully get their name out there. I am based in New Zealand and it is difficult to find these opportunities in a small country. That is why I decided to summarize the international short story and flash fiction competitions that people from around the world can enter.

Read more about me here.

The updated list for Nov 2019 / 2020 can be found here.


This page is updated often so check back for new contests.

Short Story Competitions:

All are open to international entries!

Grindstone International Short Story Competition

Fee: 12 GBP

Word limit: 3000

Genre: Any

Deadline: 28 July 2019

Aesthetica Creative Writing Award

Fee: 18 GBP

Word limit: 2000

Genre: Any

Deadline: 31 August 2019

Manchester Fiction Prize

Fee: 17.50 GBP

Word limit: 2500

Genre: Any

Deadline: 20 September 2019

Woollongong Short Story Prize

Fee: 15 AUD

Word limit: 2500

Genre: Theme is ‘All lit up’.

Deadline: 1 October 2019

Flash Fiction Competitions:

The main difference between short stories and flash fiction is word count. Flash generally falls between 500-1000 words but some can be less or more. It is a self-contained, punchy story that describes a moment or series of moments. Its style falls halfway between prose and poetry, evoking a feeling of something other than what is written, by word choice and also by what is left out. Flash is not a condensed short story, a chapter of a novel or a poem. Its plot should be introduced with a great hook and completely resolved by the end.

Reading a lot of flash fiction is a really great way to learn what it is and how to craft it. I really enjoy writing flash – it is a great challenge condensing the big themes into such a small framework.

Fiction Factory Flash Fiction Competition

All type of stories are welcome

Word limit: 500 words

Fee: 6 GBP

Prize: 150 GBP

Deadline: 31 July 2019


AWC Furious Fiction
Australian Writers Centre competition open to writers all over the world for 55 hours only, happens monthly.

Word limit: 500

Fee: free

Next competition live first Friday in August 2019

Reflex Fiction (quarterly flash competition)

Fee: 7 GBP

Prize: 1000 GBP

Words: 180 – 360

Genre: Any

Deadline: 31 August 2019

Bath Flash Fiction Award

Fee: 9 GBP

Prize: 1000 GBP

Words: 300

Genre: Any

Deadline: 13th October 2019

Deadlines throughout the year

Sweek Flash Fiction Challenges

Weekly challenges based on reader likes with cash prizes

Flash Fiction Online

Flash 500 – 1000 words

NYC Midnight Challenges

Participants are challenged to create original stories, screenplays, or films using assigned elements under time constraints

Fish Publishing

Four annual competitions

Paying Markets

I believe writers should be paid for their work. Here are some paying markets for flash fiction and short stories that I have found. They all accept international submissions.

Flash Fiction Online – Fiction any genre 500-1000 words

Everyday Fiction – Fiction any genre up to 50 words

Crannog – Fiction up to 2000 words

Shooter Lit Mag – Literary fiction, creative non-fiction and narrative journalism should fall between 2,000 and 7,500 words.

Helios Quarterly – Submissions of sci fi, fantasy and horror in January, April, July, October – Flash up to 1000 words, Short stories up to 1500 words.

The Dark Magazine – Horror and dark fantasy up to 6000 words

Pixie Forest Publishing – Fantasy short stories

Malahat Review – Short stories and flash fiction

Useful Posts for submitting work

Writing A Proper Cover Letter for a Short Story

How to Write Flash Fiction

Best Book for Writers to Read – Bird by Bird

There are always more flash fiction and short story competitions open to international submissions becoming available for entries in 2019. I do try and keep this up to date. If you wish to list a competition that is open to writers everywhere, please contact me.

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