Short Fiction Writing Challenge

SUBMISSION
RULES + GUIDELINES

Dates and Deadlines: 

• 2026 Theme: TBA

• Submissions open: May 2026

• Submissions deadline: TBA 

• Top 5-10 Finalists will be announced: October 1

• Prize recipient will be announced at the Southern Screen Festival. 

General Guidelines: 

• This competition is sponsored by the National Writing Project of Acadiana and The Current. 

• All writers must be 18 years of age or older.

• Each contestant may only submit one entry for the competition. 

• All work must be original and should not be under review for any other competition or publications.

• Work must be typed in Times New Roman 12 pt. font and should be submitted as a PDF.

• A $10 entry fee will be due at the time of submission. 

• You do not need to be present at the festival to win, though attendance is strongly encouraged. 

• Top 5-10 Finalists will be invited to and receive a ticket for the event announcing the prize recipient 

  Things to Consider: 

  • Submissions should be aligned to the theme, though can be broadly interpreted.    

  • Submissions that do not adhere to the word count minimum/maximum will be disqualified. 

  • This is an opportunity to showcase your creativity! We encourage and welcome unique views, original ideas, and powerful voices!   

Submission Information: 

• 2026 Theme: TBA

• Submissions should be no less than 1,000 words and not exceed 1,500 words (not including title page). 

• Submissions can be in any genre but should be in the form of fiction prose, a piece in which the story, characters, and settings are imagined rather than based on real-life events.

• The submission should include a title page with a 1-2 sentence synopsis and no identifying author information, followed by the submission. 
  (NO author name on submission cover page or within the story)

• Entry forms and fee must be submitted electronically at the button below.

prize recipient will receive:

• $150 cash prize

• Published in Louisiana Literature Magazine

• Story read aloud at Festival event either by the writer or by a special guest of Southern Screen. The award recipient will have the option and can participate in a Q & A following the reading. 

• A Festival Pass and Food + Drink Wristband for the remainder of the festival.

• More prizes TBA.

Questions regarding guidelines should be directed to Gina Hanchey (gina.mlh@gmail.com) and/or Dr. H. Michelle Kreamer (hmkreamer@louisiana.edu).

Questions or issues regarding submissions should be directed to info@southernscreen.com.

Happy writing!