BPA Short Story Award

The BPA Short Story Award is run by the Blue Pencil Agency, a UK-based editorial and literary agency, with the aim of discovering emerging short fiction writers who may go on to write novels. The competition is open to unrepresented and unpublished authors of fiction worldwide, writing in English, and accepts any genre except children’s fiction and non-fiction (YA is permitted with adult crossover appeal).

Entrants must submit a single, complete, original short story of up to 2,500 words via online entry on the BPA website, with a £20 entry fee paid through PayPal. Multiple stories may be entered, but each must be submitted separately. Previously published or prize-winning stories are accepted provided no publication retains exclusive rights, but writers who have traditionally published a novel or short story collection are not eligible.

This year’s judges are literary agent Corissa Hollenbeck (Janklow & Nesbit) and writer Sussie Anie. BPA also offers a minimum of 20 free entries for UK-based writers on low incomes or from under-represented backgrounds in publishing, available on application.

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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