The other side
Write an original short story with a distinct voice, a compelling turn, and an ending that stays with the reader.
$5 proposed entry · 500 entry cap · dates to be announcedHUMAN-CREATED WORK · MONTHLY LEAGUES PLANNED
Short Story Competitions.
A small cast, a precise detail, an ending that changes what came before. Our proposed short story leagues are a place for human-written fiction with a distinct voice and a complete narrative arc.
Coming soon. These are proposed creative briefs, not open competitions. No submissions, entry fees, or payments are being accepted.
Give your idea a clear point of view.
Give the reader a reason to turn the page. Establish what a character wants, make the obstacle matter, and let the ending grow from the choices on the page. A quiet story can be as compelling as a dramatic one when every sentence earns its place.
FIVE FIRST-SEASON CONCEPTS
Find a reason to begin.
Each title is a starting point for exploration. League-specific instructions and opening dates will be published before entries can open.
One last message
Write an original short story with a distinct voice, a compelling turn, and an ending that stays with the reader.
$5 proposed entry · 500 entry cap · dates to be announcedStrange neighbors
Write an original short story with a distinct voice, a compelling turn, and an ending that stays with the reader.
$10 proposed entry · 500 entry cap · dates to be announcedAfter the silence
Write an original short story with a distinct voice, a compelling turn, and an ending that stays with the reader.
$10 proposed entry · 500 entry cap · dates to be announcedA beautiful mistake
Write an original short story with a distinct voice, a compelling turn, and an ending that stays with the reader.
$20 proposed entry · 500 entry cap · dates to be announcedPrepare your original work.
- Revise once for structure and once for sentence-level clarity; those are different tasks.
- Read the story aloud to catch repetition and confusing changes in perspective.
- Keep dated drafts or revision history as evidence of your writing process.
The proposed limit is 3,000 words, with plain text or PDF presentation. Final formatting, eligibility, and word-count rules will appear before any paid league opens.
What would judges look for?
Our proposed common rubric is originality (35%), craft (30%), interpretation of the brief (20%), and impact (15%). Final discipline-specific criteria and tie procedures must be published before entry opens. Staff and judges cannot enter a contest they administer.
Cash awards would be chosen through judging. Community recognition is separate. Artists would retain copyright, with defined permission needed to display awarded or shared work.