Short Story & Novel Contests
Why would a novelist be interested in writing short stories? Two reasons: it will make you a better novelist and you can get publishing credentials that will make it easier to get your novel noticed.It should be relatively easy to find 6,000 words that can be an excellent short story. Perhaps it's an excerpt, perhaps it's a character study drawn from paragraphs. Focussing on making those 6,000 words as excellent as they can be will make all of your writing better. And if you get it published, your query letter will automatically be read ahead of those query letters from authors who have not published anything.
There are more than 1,000 literary magazines with print runs from the hundreds to tens of thousands. There are magazines focussed on almost any subject and writing style and there is sure to be many that will be interested in what you have to say. The "International Directory of Little Magazines & Small Presses" published by Dustbooks lists them all with cross-refereneces. Another resource is "Novel & Short Story Writers's Market" published by Writer's Digest Books.
At the other end are the contests, typically offered by the larger and more active journals, that offer prizes and publications and extra kudos if you win. Below you will find a list of those contests that meet the following criteria:
- Accept stories 3,000 words or longer (short short or flash stories require such different skills that their utility for a novelist is diminished)
- Are offered by a well-known journal or organization.
| Sponsor | Deadline | Maximum Length | Website |
|---|