Letter Review

Short stories are one of the most enduring and revered forms of storytelling. It’s no wonder their popularity is currently soaring. 

Short story competitions represent a wonderful opportunity for emerging writers to demonstrate their ability and secure publication. They also offer established writers an exciting arena in which to showcase new work. 

We believe in literature, and in the importance and magic of new writing.

The total prize pool is $1000 USD. First place receives $600 USD and publication. Second place receives $250 USD and publication. Third place receives $150 and publication. 20 stories will be longlisted, and 10 shortlisted. All entries are considered for publication. With permissions, winners are submitted to the Pushcart Prize as well as online anthologies. 

The Letter Review Prize is judged blind to ensure fairness. 

Read some of our previous winning entries by clicking here.

View our Writers and Readers Comments Section / Testimonials Page by clicking here.

How To Enter

• We are seeking tales between 1000 - 3000 words. 
• The Prize is open to anyone, from anywhere in the world.
• There are no theme or genre restrictions: all stories welcome. 
• It costs $20 USD to enter one story, $35 USD to enter two (save $5), and $45 USD to enter three (save $15). 
• Enter via Submittable. No entries via post please. 
• The Prize opens on the 1st March 2023 and closes at 11:59 pm (ET) on the 30th April 2023.
• Please include a short biography of less than 200 words in your cover letter, and ensure the biography is suitable for publication. 
• Ensure the file name of your document is only the title of your story. Do not include your name in your story document or file name as the Prize is judged blind. 
• You may enter as many times as you wish. 
• The judges will be Ol James and Nakita Dass.
• Format: Submit story (or stories) in a single document, written in English. No translations please. 
• Story must be unpublished, and free from any claims by other parties.
• Entrants will receive automatic confirmation via email after entry.
• You must be the sole author of the work. You may not submit someone else's work. 
• Simultaneous submissions are allowed. If selected for the Longlist you will have 72 hours in which to confirm your story remains unpublished (we will contact you).
• You may submit work that has been awarded elsewhere, as long as no part of it has been published. 
• If you decide to publish your story elsewhere, please withdraw from our prize. 
• Terms and Conditions. 
• With your permission, we may submit winning entries to the Pushcart Prize, Best of the Net, and other presitigious anthologies. Also with your permission, we may include your work in our end of year Lettter Review anthology.
• Enter via Submittable using the form below. Click here for a guide to using Submittable.