F(R)ICTION SPRING WRITING COMPETITION - CASH PRIZE

F(r)iction is a triannual publication that boasts work from both industry legends and emerging writers. We accept short fiction, creative nonfiction, flash fiction, comics, and poetry submissions all year round, and also host contests featuring guest judges and cash prizes twice a year (each spring and fall).

In our writing contests, we seek writing that reflects a similar mission to our journal, F(r)iction: work that actively pushes the boundaries of traditional publishing, that has complex characters and a strong narrative arc, and makes us feel something as we read it. We want stories we haven't seen before, whether it twists or plays with genre, setting, language, voice, you name it. Our contests also feature a panel of three guest judges to help us decide the winners for each category. Winners in each category will receive a cash prize, as well as work with one of our Senior Editors to see their work published either online or in our print journal! 

For Spring 2026, we have Manuel Aragon judging Short Story, Brett Pribble judging Flash Fiction, Shannon Chen See judging Creative Nonfiction, and Trish Broome judging Poetry. 

Submission Deadline: Spring 2026 contest ends May 15  

Contest Genre: Short Fiction, Flash Fiction, Poetry, Creative Nonfiction

Entry Fee: $10 - 15 

Cash Prize: $300 (poetry, flash fiction) to 1,000 (short story) 

Contest URL: https://frictionlit.org/contests/