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Flash fiction authors continue to demonstrate the richness and depth of story that can be achieved with utmost concision. Read in a single sitting, these little tales are capable of conjuring stunningly vivid worlds which leave us turning the page for more. 

Flash fiction is an exciting story form, currently enjoying soaring popularity at least in part because it's the ideal length for quick consumption in today's fast paced world. 

Flash fiction 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 flash fiction, literature, and in the importance and magic of new writing.

The total prize pool is $800 USD. First place receives $400 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, and with your permission may be submitted to prestigious anthologies such as the Pushcart Prize.  

The Letter Review Prize is judged blind to ensure fairness.

Read some of the previous winning entries of the Letter Review Prize for Short Stories by clicking here.

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

How To Enter

  • We are seeking tales up to 1000 words.
  • The Prize is open to anyone, from anywhere in the world.
  • There are no theme or genre restrictions: all stories welcome.
  • It costs $15 USD to enter one story, $27 to enter two (save $3), and $35 to enter three (save $10). 
  • Enter via Submittable. No entries via post please.
  • The Prize opens on the 7th March 2022 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. 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  • Story must be unpublished, and free from any claims by other parties.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.
  • No AI generated content please.
  • 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 prestigious anthologies such as the Pushcart Prize, and the Best of the Net. Also with your permission, we may include your work in our end of year Letter Review anthology.
  • Enter via Submittable using the form below. Click here for a guide to using Submittable.
We use Submittable to accept and review our submissions.