Best Flash Fiction Contests in 2024
Flash Fiction is defined as a very short story that can be anywhere from just a couple of words to about a thousand in length. The beauty (and difficulty) of writing flash fiction lies in trying to tell a complete story in so few words. Great flash fiction is succinct, emotive, thought-provoking, and impactful. These flash fiction contests are a great way to get your work in front of editors and agents. Winning can also lead to publication, awards, and other recognition. But competitions aren't just about winning; they're also a great way to get feedback on your work and improve your writing because short stories allow you to practice all the skills of writing a story in a much more condensed format.
New to writing flash fiction? Read our guide to flash fiction and check out our 100+ Flash Fiction Prompts!
7 Day Story Writing Challenges
Prize: £500 each challenge
Register now for our next 7-day story writing challenge. A secret theme, a randomly assigned genre and just 7 days to write a story of no more than 2,000 words. Our 7 day story writing challenges take place throughout the year. The challenges are free and you can even get feedback on your story. You can take part in one challenge or take part in all of them!
Deadline: rolling
Entry: free
Not Quite Write Prize for Flash Fiction 2024
Prize: $2,000 (AUD)
A flash fiction competition with a twist! Entrants will be given two writing prompts and one "anti-prompt" and will have 60 hours to write and submit a 500-word piece of flash fiction. Open to all ages and abilities.
Deadline: 21st April, 2024
Entry: $25 (AUD)
New Writers Flash Fiction Competition 2024
Prize: £1,000
The New Writers Flash Fiction Competition 2024 is open to writers from around the world, and offers a top prize of £1,000, a second prize of £300 and a third prize of £200. The deadline is midnight (UK time) on Wednesday 31st January 2024 and £1.00 from each entry will be donated to the First Story charity.
Deadline: 31st Jan, 2024
Entry: £10
Looking for inspiration? Why not check out our list of the 20 Greatest Short Story Writers of All Time!
Bridport Flash Fiction Prize 2024
Prize: £1,000
It may be the sprint of creative writing but that doesn’t mean you can rush the creative process. Take us somewhere fast then let your story marinade in the reader's mind. Make every one of your 250 words count. There is no minimum number of words, just like there is no limit to your imagination. They say lightning doesn't strike twice but we want to feel the electricity in your story right from the beginning through to the very end.
Deadline: 31st May, 2024
Entry: £11
Gulf Coast Writers Association Writing Contest 2024
Prize: $200
The Gulf Coast Writers Association is a twenty-nine year old association which was founded to promote writing and writers in Southwest Florida. Its annual contest is open to anyone from anywhere. The entries are judged blind by experienced members of the association and esteemed members of the local community. Entry fees are $20 for the first submission and $10 thereafter, with discounts for GCWA Members. Winners will be notified in June of 2024. Prose has a 1,500 word limit and poetry must be 40 lines or less. Send us your bravest work.
Deadline: 31st May, 2024
Entry: $20
Ironclad Creative Short Story Competition 2024
Prize: £100
We are looking for short stories that respond in any way to: 7:12am. You can use that in the text, as a theme, or any way you want. We accept any prose genre and any length of story up to 6k words. We’re looking for writers who have exciting voices and can move us - that can happen in any genre of prose. We’re not accepting plays or poetry for this competition.
Deadline: 30th April, 2024
Entry: £7
Spring Flash Fiction Contest 2024
Prize: €500
The Berlin Literary Review is looking forward to receiving submissions from around the world (in English), for our Spring Flash Fiction Contest. Up to 1,500 words, and up to 660€ in awards.
Deadline: 31st May, 2024
Entry: €5.50
The Lascaux Prize in Flash Fiction 2024
Prize: $1,000
Stories may be previously published or unpublished, and simultaneous submissions are accepted. True stories are welcome as long as they’re written in a narrative style. Winner receives $1,000 and a bronze medallion. Finalists receive $100. Winner and finalists are published in The Lascaux Review.
Deadline: 30th June, 2024
Entry: $15
Anthology Flash Fiction Award 2024
Prize: €300
The Anthology Flash Fiction Competition is open to original and previously unpublished flash fiction on any theme in the English language by writers of any nationality. We are looking for writing that is clever and unique, inspires us, and crafts a compelling story. Max 250 words.
Deadline: 30th Sep, 2024
Entry: $12
The SmokeLong Quarterly Award for Flash Fiction 2024
Prize: $2,500
The SmokeLong Quarterly Award for Flash Fiction (The Smokey) is a biennial competition that celebrates and compensates excellence in flash.
Deadline: 30th April, 2024
Entry: $14
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