CALL FOR ENTRIES:2026 Short Story Awards

A not-for-profit awards program for unpublished short stories. www.shortstoryawards.com

The Next Generation Short Story Awards is a not-for-profit international awards program now in its third year, whic honors and celebrates the creative talents of short story and poetry writers worldwide.

Submissions accepted: Unpublished short stories and poems (5,000 words or less)

Categories: 30+

Deadline: February 26, 2026

Winners' Prizes: Winners in each category receive $75 cash prizes, gold medals, digital stickers, social media coverage, literary exposure, story publication in an Anthology of Winners, and a complimentary copy of the Anthology of Winners. Three Grand Prize Winners will be selected from all entries and awarded $500 for 1st Prize, $300 for 2nd Prize and $200 for 3rd Prize and will be invited to attend the Next Generation Indie Book Awards gala ceremony.

Finalists' Benefits: Finalists in each category are given digital stickers, literary exposure, and author's name and title of story mentioned in the Anthology of Winners. A copy of the Anthology of Winners is available to purchase at half price and silver medals are available to order.

Enter at: www.shortstoryawards.com