Short Story Contest
The 2026 Short Story Contest is Now Open!
Each spring, the Space Coast Writers Guild invites writers of all levels to take a creative leap and enter our annual Short Story Contest. Designed to spark imagination and build confidence, the contest opens every year on April 1st and closes on May 30th.
- This is an opportunity to push past your hesitation, polish your prose, and put your work out into the world
- The contest is open to Guild members only
- The entry fee is $10
- All entries are reviewed by a panel of judges
Cash Prizes!
Bring your best story forward—there’s more than inspiration on the line. Our First Place winner will receive a $250 cash prize, along with four additional cash awards recognizing exceptional work. Whether you’re aiming for the top prize or simply ready to share your voice, this is your moment to shine
Additionally, our top five winning stories earn not only bragging rights but also a guaranteed spot in the Guild’s annual Short Story Anthology, which opens for submissions June 15th through August 15th. For more information regarding our anthologies, please click HERE.
Submission Guidelines
To ensure your submission is complete and eligible for consideration, please review the full Submission Guidelines by clicking the button below. A careful read will help you present your work exactly as intended.
Pay Button
Once your entry has been submitted, kindly complete the process by submitting your entry fee using the button below. Your submission is not considered complete until payment has been received.
Good luck to all the participants!
Space Coast Writers Guild
Board of Directors