The Short Story Challenge 2021 is underway with over 6,100 writers participating from around the world! 

1st Round: Kickoff Email / Assignments

Rules: Official Rules & Participation Agreement

	Thank you to the participants for helping to donate over $12,000 to global charities currently dealing with some of the most critical issues affecting our world.  Click here to learn more.

The 15th Annual Short Story Challenge is a creative writing competition open to writers around the world.  There are 4 rounds of competition.  In the 1st Round (January 22-30, 2021), writers are placed randomly in groups and are assigned a genre, subject, and character assignment.  Writers have 8 days to write an original story no longer than 2,500 words.  The judges choose a top 5 in each group to advance to the 2nd Round (April 8-11, 2021) where writers receive new assignments, only this time they have 3 days to write a 2,000 word (maximum) short story.  The judges again choose a top 5 in each group to advance to the 3rd Round (May 21-23, 2021) where writers receive new assignments and have 2 days to write a 1,500 word (maximum) short story.  Judges select finalists and the remaining writers are challenged to write a 1,250 word (maximum) story in just 24 hours (June 25-26, 2021) in the fourth and final round of the competition.  Feedback from the judges is provided for every submission and there are thousands in cash and prizes for the winners.  Sound like fun?  Join the competition below and get ready for January 22nd!

Registration is now closed.  We'll be announcing more challenges soon for 2021, so make sure to join our mailing list or follow us on facebook, twitter, or instagram to be the first to know.  Thank you and stay safe! 

Official Rules & Participation Agreement

While we send e-mails at the beginning of each round to all registered writers, many times e-mails go to junk mail folders, spam, or are blocked by servers for unknown reasons.  We recommend that everyone marks their calendars with the start dates of each round, especially the first challenge at 11:59PM EST on January 22, 2021 so that you know when to expect an e-mail.  Use the "Add to Calendar" buttons below to add to your calendar!

Not only does every writer receive feedback from the judges for every story submitted, but a special review forum is available for the participants to submit their stories for review from fellow writers throughout the competition.  During the Short Story Challenge 2020, there were over 7,800 comments made on the 800+ stories submitted on the forum.  Click here to visit the forums.

	Carrie S. San Francisco, CA, USA	“Done! So excited....this is such an exhilarating exercise. :)”
	Kim B. Hixson, TN, USA	“And with less than 50 minutes to deadline, I have done this thing I thought I could never do and submitted a short story in a major contest/challenge. Whew, now to rest and wake up tomorrow beset with anxiety and fear while I wait.”
	Dave M. Katy, TX, USA	“That was exciting! Nothing like a tight deadline to get the creative juices flowing.”
	Miguel R. New Jersey, USA	“Done. It made my wife cry, I'm taking that as a good sign. Although it was comedy, so maybe not.”
	Kai Love Hazel Crest, IL, USA	“Submitted and feeling a great deal of relief. This was such a great learning experience for me. Good Luck to all!!!”
	Janet P. Newberg, OR, USA	“Wahooooooo.Done.Crazy fun.”
	Rachel C. Jumbunna, Australia	“Mine is in. Not a genre I was comfortable with but proud of what I submitted. Good luck to all!”
	Cheryl B. Greenville, SC, USA	“All done! Phew! That was down to the wire. I can't wait to what everyone else came up with on the forums!”
	Dawn F. Indianapolis, IN, USA	“First stab at political satire is saved, stored, backed up and submitted! So much fun!”
	Ileana J. Happy, TX, USA	“This was immense fun! Luck to all!”