Let me tell you about my first short story competition disaster. I'd spent weeks crafting what I thought was a masterpiece, paid the $20 entry fee like it was nothing, and waited. And waited. Six months later? A form rejection email that felt like getting slapped with a wet fish. Ouch. That sting made me realize I'd gone in completely blind. Sound familiar?
Why Bother With Writing Competitions Anyway?
Okay, let's be real. Most short story contests won't make you rich. But here's why I keep entering them after that first mess:
- Cold hard cash (yes, some pay thousands)
- Seeing your name in actual print
- Bragging rights for your author bio
- Deadlines that actually make you finish stories
Honestly? The best part isn't even winning. It's that moment when you submit and think "Well, at least I finished something." That's gold for us procrastinators.
Truth bomb: I've entered 14 contests over 3 years. Won twice, shortlisted once. The rest? Radio silence. You need tough skin for this game.
How to Find Legit Short Story Competitions
Google "short story competitions" and you'll drown in options. Half are scams. Here's my sniff test:
| Red Flags | Green Flags |
|---|---|
| Entry fees over $25 | Clear judging criteria |
| Vague past winners list | Previous winners published elsewhere |
| "All rights" grab in rules | Judges are actual editors/writers |
My go-to spots? Winning Writers and Poets & Writers listings. Saved me from wasting cash on that "International Elite Story Prize" that smelled like burnt toast.
Submission Costs You Need to Know
Let me break down what I've actually paid:
| Competition Tier | Average Fee | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Small Press | $5-10 | Publication maybe, feedback never |
| Mid-Level | $10-25 | Judge comments sometimes |
| Big Name | $25-50 | Prestige, agent attention if you win |
Pro tip: Always check if they take Simultaneous Submissions. You don't want your story locked up for a year waiting.
Crushing the Submission Process
After botching my first three entries, here's what actually works:
Formatting That Doesn't Annoy Editors
I learned this the hard way when my story got tossed for using Comic Sans (yes, really). Standard format:
- 12pt Times New Roman or Garamond
- Double-spaced
- Page numbers in footer
- Word count in header
- NO crazy fonts or colors
Watch out: Bridport Prize requires anonymous submissions. I forgot and put my name on every page. Automatic disqualification. $20 gone.
Weird Rules That Bite Back
Some contests have bizarre requirements. Like:
| Competition | Strange Rule | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Bath Short Story Award | No numbered pages | Disqualifies 30% of entries |
| Commonwealth Short Story Prize | Requires passport scan | For Commonwealth citizens only |
Always, always read the fine print. Twice.
Top Contests Actually Worth Your Time
These made the cut based on my experience and writer friends' input:
| Competition | Deadline | Entry Fee | Prize | Word Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol Short Story Prize | April 30 | £9 | £1,000 + anthology | 4,000 |
| Writers' Week Contest | Rolling | €18 | Publication in literary journals | 3,000 |
| Sundress Publications | December 31 | $0 | $200 + chapbook | 1,500 |
Notice Sundress charges zero fees? Rare unicorn. Submit there first when you're broke.
After You Hit Submit: The Waiting Game
Results take forever. Like, "did they lose my story?" forever. Typical timelines:
- 3-4 months for small contests
- 6-8 months for big ones
- 12+ months for some literary journal contests
What I do now: Track submissions in a spreadsheet. Include date sent, expected response date, and follow-up date. Saved me from triple-submitting to one place (yes, I did that).
When You Win (Or Don't)
My friend won £2,000 from the London Short Story Prize last year. Know what changed? Nothing, really. She still works her day job. But:
- Agents started replying to her queries
- Literary journals accepted her work faster
- Suddenly conference panels wanted her
Losing? That happens more. My tactic: Recycle rejections immediately. That story that failed for Bath? Got published by Litro Magazine three months later.
Answers to Stuff Writers Secretly Wonder
Can I submit the same story everywhere?
Only if they allow simultaneous submissions. About 60% do. Check their rules page - it's usually buried in FAQ. I got caught once and got banned from a contest for two years.
Do judges actually read all entries?
At smaller contests? Yes. At massive ones like Bridport? First-round readers filter entries. Only top 10% reach actual judges. Depressing but true.
Should I pay extra for feedback?
Only if it's under £15. I paid £30 once for two paragraphs of vague notes. Total rip-off. Better to swap stories with writing group buddies.
What I Wish I Knew Before Entering
First year entering short story competitions? Here's my survival kit:
- Start with low-fee contests to build confidence
- Never borrow money for entry fees
- Follow contest Twitter accounts for deadline reminders
- Save all rejections in a "revenge fuel" folder
Biggest lesson? Treat it like buying lottery tickets. Never spend money you need for rent. The Writers' Trust Award looks shiny until you realize you spent $400 on entries with nothing to show.
Final Reality Check
Writing contests aren't magic. But last month, I got coffee with an editor because she remembered my story from a competition. That connection? Priceless. Just don't quit your day job yet.
"Enter contests for the deadline, not the dream. The writing is what matters." – Sarah Waters (after judging three competitions)
Now go check those submission guidelines. And for god's sake, don't use Comic Sans.
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