Inkspot’s Flash Fiction Short Story Competition

The Inkspot’s Flash Fiction Short Story Competition — £500 for 500 Flash Fiction 2026 is organised by Inkspot Publishing, a UK-based indie publisher that runs international writing contests and publishes fiction projects. This annual contest invites writers to submit highly-crafted flash fiction or short scripts that demonstrate narrative strength within a tight word limit.

Submissions must be original, previously unpublished works written in English. Entrants submit stories of up to 500 words (excluding the title); short scripts (plays or screenplays) that fit the word count are also welcome. All entries are judged anonymously by the listed judge for the cycle, with quality of writing, characterisation, dialogue, and effective storytelling considered.

The competition is international, accepting entries from writers anywhere including amateurs and professionals, provided the work is the author’s own. Stories must not be published elsewhere or have won/been shortlisted in other competitions prior to submission.

The top prize for this competition is £500. In addition to the main winner, shortlisted entries may be considered for publication on the organiser’s website and on FictionJunkies.com with the author’s permission.

Is this competition legit?YES! – Based on our research this event is legitimate and the organizer is well established. However, as with any event, please remember to do your own research before submitting your work.

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If you are curious how writing competitions work, or it’s your first time entering one, we recommend reading our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page first.

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