This annual fiction contest is open to LGBTQ+ authors at all stages of their careers, from all over the globe, with stories in all genres. Only previously unpublished stories are accepted. Stories that have won any other writing contests are ineligible.

The winner will be selected from this year’s submissions of original, unpublished short stories between 3,000 and 7,000 words with LGBT content on the broad theme of “Saints and Sinners.” This contest would not be possible without a generous grant from The John Burton Harter Foundation.

The 2024-2025 SAS Short Fiction Judge is Greg Herren. Greg Herren is the author of over 30 novels, 50 short stories, and has edited over 20 anthologies. He has won several awards for his writing and editing, and has been nominated for a multitude of others, including the Shirley Jackson, the Lefty, the Agatha, and the Anthony. His most recent novels are Mississippi River Mischief (October 2023) and Death Drop (November 2023).

One grand prize of $500 and two second place prizes of $100 will be awarded. In addition, the top stories will be published in an anthology. There will also be a book release party and reading held during the 22nd annual Saints and Sinners LGBTQ+ Literary Festival in New Orleans in 2025. A list of the top finalists will be posted on our website and in our e-newsletter.

We are keen to encourage quality, so suggest writers to check their stories before submitting using Prowritingaid. They have free and paid versions and are the best writing software we know to help improve grammar, readability and check for repetition, ‘sticky’ sentences and suggest alternatives.