Submission Opportunities July 2026

Please note that the listings below are abbreviated guidelines, and submitters should refer to the individual publications for complete rules and details.

The Gutsy Great Novelist Page One Prize | Deadline: July 16

One of two very popular annual fiction contests run by Joan Dempsey and Gutsy Great Novelist. Story Street’s own Jack Morgan won the Chapter One Prize in 2025. This first page contest accepts unpublished and published work, as long as the novel has not been published.

Fee: $20 | Pay: $1000 for the winning entry

Type: Accepts only the first page of chapter one of an unpublished work of fiction

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The Worcester Review | Deadline: August 15

A print literary journal established in 1972

Fee: $4 | Pay: No

Type: Fiction up 3,000 words or 3 pieces of flash fiction up to 1,200 words; 3-5 poems of no longer than 7 pages total

Note: May close early if their submission quota is reached

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Mulberry Literary | Deadline: July 30

Submissions are for online and print publication in Issue 13 (Fall 2026) and Issue 14 (Spring 2027)

Fee: varies | Pay: $25

Type: Fiction, Non-fiction, Poetry, Art and more

Note: Free submission are open July 1 – 14. Pay-what-you-can submissions open until July 30.

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Write Catalyst Short Story Contest | Deadline: July 22

Interested in writing, “that explores the inner life of the writer — the psychology, craft, intuition, and courage it takes to create.”

Fee: $5 | Pay: 1st place – $100, 2nd place – $50, 3rd place – $25

Type: Short Fiction (1,000-5,000 words)

Note: Entries must be in Classic Shunn manuscript format but cannot include author identification to ensure blind judging.

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Writers’ Playground Challenge | Deadline: Register by July 16

A short story writing competition similar to NYC Midnights with 10 days to write.

Fee: $34 | Pay: Up to $4,000 in prizes across 10+ winners

Type: Prompted short fiction (up to 3,100 words)

Note: Must register prior to the opening and all entries receive feedback

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The Adroit Journal Editor’s Prize | Deadline: July 31

Submissions are likely to close early due to submissions caps

Fee: $15 | Pay: $1000

Type: Short story (6,000 words max), Poetry (1-3 poems)

Note: Open to all writers including those under 18.

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Flash Fiction Magazine | Deadline: Rolling

General submission are always open but contest opens July 16

Fee: $0 or $30 for contest entry | Pay: First Place $500 and 12 months of workshops

Type: Flash Fiction (300-1000 words)

Note: Contest entry include feedback from editor of your choice

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Reverie Magazine | Deadline: August 1

Accepting submissions for Issue VI

Fee: $0 | Pay: $0

Type: Prose (up to 1,000 words), Poetry, and visual arts

Note: Accepts reprints

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The 704 Prize for Flash Fiction | Deadline: August 1

The West Trade Review celebrates their area code (704) but is open to writing from anywhere

Fee: $7.04 | Pay: $704

Type: Flash up to 704 words

Note: contest is open to emerging writers only who have not yet published a book with a print run over 1,500

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The Sydney Hammond Memorial Short Story Competition | Deadline: August 7

Theme is “I’m Glad You Called”

Fee: $18.50AU | Pay: $200

Type: Short Story (up to 1000 words)

Note: Top 45 stories are published in an anthology by Hawkeye Publishing, and all those published receive a free copy of the book