June and July 2021 Short Story Competitions
“I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by.” Douglas Adams
I don’t know about you, but I always seem to find a great competition to enter a short story I have written, only to find that the deadline is coming up soon.
To help anyone who always finds themselves in this little predicament, I have created a list of competitions that are coming up in June and July (I threw in August competitions as well). I’m an Aussie which means this is our winter. For all my fellow writers up in the northern hemisphere, you are enjoying the sunny vibes of Summer. This should give you plenty of time to write and submit.
I have carefully curated the ones I like and have checked to make sure they are running this year. This was correct at the time of writing this article. Please check the websites again just in case things have changed. I’ve noticed that competitions can, and sometimes don’t run.
Hopefully, this will give you time to plan and plot (or not if you are a pantser) draft and polish you entry.
JUNE
Getrude Stein Award: up to 8000 words: Deadline: 1 June:
Entry: $20US Prize: $1000 plus publication
More information: https://www.eckleburg.org
Globe Soup Short Story: up to 5000 words: THEME: A sense pf Place: Deadline: 15 June:
Entry: £8 Prize: $1500 plus publication
More information: https://www.globesoup.net/short-story-2021
Segora Competitions: 1500 - 3000 words: Deadline: 15 June:
Entry: £8 Prize: $1500 plus publication
More information: https://www.poetryproseandplays.com
Audio Arcadia Short Story Competition: up to 5000 words: Deadline: 30 June:
Entry: Free: Prize: $350, $200, $100
More information: http://www.audioarcadia.com
Henshaw Short Story Competition: up to 2000 words: Deadline: 30 June:
Entry: £6: Prize: £200, £100, £50
More information: https://www.henshawpress.co.uk
Moth Short Story prize: up to 5000 words: Deadline: 30 June:
Entry Euro15: Prize: £3000
More information: https://www.themothmagazine.com
Scribble Quarterly Short Story : up to 3000 words: Deadline: 30 June:
Entry: £3 (£5 critique) Prize: £75, £25, £15
More information: http://www.parkpublications.co.uk
JULY
Doris Gooderson Short Story : up to 2000 words: Deadline: 13 July:
Entry: £5 Prize: £200 £100, £50
More information: https://wrekinwriters.wordpress.com/doris-gooderson-short-story-competition/
Seán O’Faoláin International Short Story Competition: up to 3000 words: Deadline: 31 July:
Entry: Euro18 Prize: Euro2000
More information: https://www.munsterlit.ie/SOF%20Page.html
Writer’s Digest Annual Writing: 1500 - 3000 words: Deadline: 25 July:
Entry: $35 Prize: $5000 in cash
More information: https://www.writersdigest.com
I thought I would throw in ...
AUGUST
Sydney Hammond Memorial Short Story Competition: up to 1000 words: Deadline: 1 August
Entry: $12 Prize: $250 and anthology publication: Theme: Courage
More information: https://hawkeyebooks.com.au
Aesthetica Creative Writing: up to 2000 words: Deadline: 31 August
Entry: £18 Prize: £2500
More information: https://aestheticamagazine.com/creative-writing-award/
Exeter Story Prize: up to 5000 words: Deadline: 31 August
Entry: £12 Prize: £500, £150, £100
More information: https://www.exeterwriters.org.uk/p/short-story-competition-2021.html
Good luck everyone. Please let me know if you have entered any of the competitions, especially if you placed or got a notable mention. We would love to celebrate your success with you.
Happy Writing,
Valerie 🌼