Short Short Story Competition

DEADLINE: CLOSED. Winners will be notified by February 28, 2025.

We’re looking for short fiction stories! Think you can write a winning story in 1,500 words or less? Enter the 25th Annual Writer’s Digest Short Short Story Competition for your chance to win $3,000 in cash, get published in Writer’s Digest magazine, and a paid trip to our ever-popular Writer’s Digest Conference!

Prizes
How to enter
Preparing Your Entry
FAQ
Pricing and Deadlines
Easy to follow PDF

Prizes

One First Place Winner will receive:

$3,000 in cash
Publication of their winning piece in Writer’s Digest (Sept/Oct 2025 issue), and on WritersDigest.com.
An interview with a WD editor on WritersDigest.com
A paid trip to the Writer’s Digest Annual Conference, including a special trophy presentation at the keynote
A pitch session at the Writer's Digest Conference where the winner will receive one-on-one attention from editors or agents
A one-year subscription (new or renewal) to Writer’s Digest magazine
20% discount off of purchases made at Writer’s Digest University
A special graphic recognizing their winning status

The Second Place Winner will receive:

$1,500 in cash
Their name and short story title published in Writer’s Digest magazine’s September/October 2025 issue and on Writer's Digest.com.
A one-year subscription (new or renewal) to Writer’s Digest magazine
20% discount off of purchases made at Writer’s Digest University
A special graphic recognizing their winning status

The Third Place Winner will receive:

$500 in cash
Their name and short story title published in Writer’s Digest magazine’s September/October 2025 issue and on Writer's Digest.com.
A one-year subscription (new or renewal) to Writer’s Digest magazine
20% discount off of purchases made at Writer’s Digest University
A special graphic recognizing their winning status

Fourth through Tenth Place Winners will receive:

$100 in cash
Their name and short story titles published in Writer’s Digest magazine’s September/October 2025 issue and on Writer's Digest.com.
A one-year subscription (new or renewal) to Writer’s Digest magazine
20% discount off of purchases made at Writer’s Digest University
A special graphic recognizing their winning status

Eleventh through Twenty-Fifth Place Winners will receive:

A $50 gift certificate for writersdigestshop.com
Their name and story title published on WritersDigest.com in conjunction with Writer’s Digest magazine’s September/October issue
A special graphic recognizing their winning status

How to Enter

All entries must be submitted online. Entries must be accompanied by the required judging fee. We accept PayPal or credit card payment for the required judging fee. Entry fees are non-refundable.
All entries must be in English. Only original works that have not been published (at the time of submission) in print, digital or online publications will be considered. Self-published work in blogs, on social media, etc. will be considered. Writer’s Digest retains one-time nonexclusive publication rights to the winning entries to be published in a Writer’s Digest publication.
All entries must be formatted to 8-1/2 x 11 or A4 paper. All manuscripts must be double-spaced. Entry files should not include name, address, and phone number in the upper left-hand corner of the first page since that information is collected on the form.
BE SURE OF YOUR WORD COUNT! Entries exceeding the word limits will be disqualified. Type the exact word count (counting every single word, except the title and contact information) at the top of the manuscript.
Due to U.S. Government restrictions we are unable to accept entries from Syria, Iran, North Korea, or Crimea.
For more information visit our Preparing Your Entry Page or our FAQ page.

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Tara JohnsonAuthor