American Short Fiction has published and continues to seek short fiction by some of the finest writers working in contemporary literature, whether they are established or new or lesser-known authors. In addition to its triannual print magazine, American Short Fiction publishes stories online and holds two yearly contests, the Halifax Ranch Prize for Fiction and the American Short(er) Fiction Prize for stories fewer than 1,000 words.
Our submission guidelines can be found here.
Information about The American Short Fiction Workshop can be found here.
The American Short(er) Story Contest recognizes extraordinary short fiction under 1,000 words. This year we are honored to have Dantiel W. Moniz as our guest judge.
General Guidelines
- Submit your entry online between November 30, 2023 – February 1, 2024.
- Stories must be 1,000 words or fewer. You are allowed to include up to three stories per entry. Please submit all stories in one document. Each story must begin on a new page and be clearly titled. For the title of your submission list the story titles, separated by a comma.
- The 1st-place winner will receive a $1,000 prize and publication. All entries will be considered for publication.
- Please submit your $18 entry fee and your work through Submittable. We no longer accept submissions by post. International submissions in English are eligible. The entry fee covers up to three 1,000-word fiction submissions.
- All entries must be single, self-contained works of fiction, under 1,000 words. Please DO NOT include any identifying information (name, address, email) on the manuscript itself.
- You may submit multiple entries. We accept only previously unpublished work. We do allow simultaneous submissions, but we ask that you notify us promptly of publication elsewhere. Winners will be announced in April.
Conflicts of Interest
Staff and volunteers currently affiliated with American Short Fiction are ineligible for consideration or publication. Additionally, students, former students, and colleagues of the judge are not eligible to enter. We ask that previous winners wait three years after their winning entry is published before entering again.
American Short Fiction adheres to the CLMP Contest Code of Ethics. You can find the CLMP Code of Ethics and our contest procedures here.
All stories should be submitted here. Submission guidelines can be found here.