About the Contest
Calling all writers—it's time to let your creativity shine and have some fun while doing it! We're thrilled to announce our first Writing Contest, and we want YOU to join in on the action. Whether you're a seasoned wordsmith or an aspiring storyteller, this is your chance to shine, win a cash prize, and help support our small publication!
How it works (note: all times are Central Time Zone):
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Enter the contest before 11:59 pm on Friday, January 31st.
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At 11:59 pm on Friday, February 7th you will receive an email with your assignment.
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Choose whether to write a science fiction or a fantasy story using your assigned rules.
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Submit your flash fiction story (1K maximum words - not including title) by 11:59 pm on Sunday, February 9th - you have 48 hours.
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We will judge the submissions, give feedback on every story, and notify those moving on to the second round of the contest by Saturday, March 1st.
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Then, round two begins at 11:59 pm on Friday, March 7th. You will receive new rules for your second story.
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You have another 48 hours to write and submit your second submission by 11:59 pm on Sunday, March 9th.
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Round two submissions will be judged and given feedback.
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Final winners will be announced on Saturday, March 29th.
Submit your best work and compete for a chance to win! The lucky winners will take home a cash prize that’ll make their day. But that’s not all—every single entry helps fund the Sci-Fi Shorts publication, which supports writers like you by paying for their hard work.
What’s in it for you?
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Cash Prize: Who doesn’t love a little extra cash? We’ll be awarding a cash prize to the top entries, so your words could pay off in more ways than one!
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Support Your Community: The rest of the funds raised from this contest will go directly into the Sci-Fi Shorts publication operating fund to help pay the talented writers who contribute to our publication. When you enter, you’re not just competing—you’re helping create a space for creative voices to be heard.
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Bragging Rights: Win or lose, you’ll be part of something exciting, and that’s always worth celebrating. Plus, you’ll have the chance to be featured in our publication (if you’re up for the spotlight)! We will contact the authors of any stories we wish to publish in our publication. You are not assigning the rights to your story away by entering the contest.
Dust off those keyboards, start writing, and join the fun. Your words could earn you a prize, and every entry helps keep the creative wheels turning. Plus, you'll be supporting a community of writers who are passionate about getting their voices heard.
Enter now, and let’s make some magic happen together!
Meet Our Featured Judge
One of Sci-Fi Shorts' first writers, Esther Selhi spends her days in the hills of England helping young people navigate the wilderness, set up tents without accidentally summoning portals, and stay on high alert for grizzly bears (an impressive feat, considering England’s complete lack of grizzlies). By night, she’s an Author Accelerator certified book coach supporting writers of fantasy, historical, and speculative fiction finish and edit their drafts. Armed with a BA in the Arts and Humanities with a focus on creative writing, she’s well-versed in the peculiar art of building worlds and making imaginary people do extraordinary things. She writes short fiction and is putting the finishing touches to her first fantasy novel.
* The total prize pool begins at a minimum of $500 (USD) and could increase to a maximum of $3000. The prize pool will equal 50% of total entry fees collected, less payment processing fees until the maximum amount is reached. The current prize pool total will be updated daily on the contest website