The TCK Publishing Short Story Contest is an international short story contest established in 2021.

Each year’s prizewinner receives a $1,000 honorarium (cash prize) and publication of his or her short story on the TCK Publishing website.

TCK Publishing is recognizing short story writers from all countries, backgrounds, and levels of experience and we invite you to join the 2022 TCK Publishing Short Story Contest.

How the Contest Works

1. Any writer (regardless of who your publisher is or if your work has been previously published) may submit a short story totaling no more than 4,000 words (less is fine) for an entry fee of $12.
2. You must purchase your entry here (you can purchase as many entries as you like if you choose to enter multiple submissions).
3. After you purchase your entry, you will be asked to complete a short Google Form to complete your submission so you can submit your short story on that page.
4. All entrants will be notified through a confirmation email from TCK Publishing.
5. Submissions open on September 1, 2021.
6. Submissions will close on August 31, 2022.
7. Declaration of winner and awarding of prize will be on September 21, 2022.
8. The winner will be notified through an email from the TCK Publishing Short Story Contest committee. 

   Which genres of short stories are acceptable to submit?

   Winners will be selected for each of the following categories:

   • Creative Nonfiction/Memoir
   • Romance
   • Fantasy
   • Thriller
   • Mystery
   • Children’s story
   • YA and Middle Grade
   • Historical Fiction
   • Science Fiction
   • Religious Fiction
   • General Fiction

Registration is Now Open

FAQ

Can I mail in my submission?

No. We only accept digital submissions. Once you purchase your entry for the contest, you’ll be given clear instructions on how to submit your short story.

Can I submit my short story online?

Yes.

Can I submit a short story that has previously been published?

Yes.

What if the writer’s work was published by a literary magazine and the writer doesn’t own the rights?

Yes. Even though the writer no longer has the rights for the short story, she can still submit it as long as she’s the one who wrote the short story.

Should I include acknowledgments or publication credits?

No. Simply submit your short story in full without any additional credits.

Can I submit a translation of my short story (in English)?

Yes. Just make sure you have secured the all rights to the translation of your work.

Other Contests from TCK Publishing

You can also check out the Reader’s Choice Book Awards Contest if you have a book that you would like to enter into the contest (Note: The Reader’s Choice Book Awards Contest is free to enter for all authors).

The annual TCK Publishing Poetry Awards Contest is another great opportunity if you have a poem you would like to write or submit. The entry fee is $5, and the honorarium (cash prize) is $1,000 for the winner.

We also host the TCK Publishing Nonfiction Writing Contest each year with an entry fee of $12 and a $1,000 honorarium (cash prize).

If you’re looking to enter more short story contests, you can browse our list of short story contests to find other opportunities.