Short Fiction Writing Challenge

Co-sponsored by The Current and the National Writing Project of Acadiana

2023 THEME: A STORY OF PERSEVERANCE

Submission
RULES + GUIDELINES
(CLOSED)

Dates and Deadlines: 

  • Submissions will be accepted from Tuesday, August 1 through Sunday, October 10. 

  • Top 5-10 Finalists will be announced Wednesday, November 1.

  • Prize recipient will be announced at the Southern Screen Festival Friday, November 17. 

General Guidelines: 

  • This competition is co-sponsored by the National Writing Project of Acadiana and The Current and is open to any writer 18 years of age or older. 

  • Each contestant may only submit one entry for the competition. 

  • All work must be original and should not be under review for any other competition or publications.

  • Work must be typed in Times New Roman 12 pt. font and should be submitted as a PDF.

  • A $10 entry fee will be due at the time of submission. 

  • You do not need to be present at the festival to win, though attendance is strongly encouraged. 

  • Top 10 Finalists will be invited to and receive a ticket for the event announcing the prize recipient 

    Things to Consider: 

    • Submissions should be aligned to the theme, though can be broadly interpreted.    

    • Submissions that do not adhere to the word count minimum/maximum will be disqualified. 

    • This is an opportunity to showcase your creativity! We encourage and welcome unique views, original ideas, and powerful voices!   

Submission Information: 

  • The theme for this year’s challenge is “A Story of Perseverance”.

  • Submissions should be no less than 1,000 words and not exceed 1,500 words (not including title page). 

  • Submissions can be in any genre but should be in the form of prose (e.g., short story, flash fiction).

  • The submission should include a title page with a 1-2 sentence synopsis and no identifying author information, followed by the submission. 

  • Entry forms and fee must be submitted electronically at the button below.

prize recipient will receive:

  • $250 cash prize

  • Story read aloud at Festival event either by the writer or by a special guest of Southern Screen. The award recipient will have the option and can participate in a Q & A following the reading. 

  • Published in The Louisiana Literature Journal and Press, and The Current (Acadiana’s online news publication), and on the Southern Screen website.

  • A Festival Pass and Food + Drink Wristband for the remainder of the festival.

Questions should be directed to Dr. H. Michelle Kreamer (hmkreamer@louisiana.edu) and/or Gina Hanchey (gina.mlh@gmail.com). 

Happy Writing!