April, 2026
Event Details
The Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize is organised by Desperate Literature, an independent bookshop and literary organisation based in Madrid, Spain, that runs this annual international short fiction competition to
Event Details
The Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize is organised by Desperate Literature, an independent bookshop and literary organisation based in Madrid, Spain, that runs this annual international short fiction competition to celebrate and promote innovative and high-quality short stories. The prize aims to give writers major visibility, not just cash, by partnering with literary journals, agents, and residency programmes to help launch careers.
Entrants must submit original, previously unpublished short fiction written in English (or translations with rights permission). Submissions are judged blind, and there is no specific theme – any genre and subject are welcome as long as the work is well crafted.
The competition is international, open to writers aged 18 or over worldwide. Multiple entries are permitted (up to ten per person), with the first entry at full fee and reductions for additional pieces. Finalists and winners are selected through blind judging; all shortlisted writers typically gain publication opportunities with partnered journals and additional exposure.
Prizes:
- 1st Prize: €2,000, a week’s residency at the Civitella Ranieri Foundation (Italy), a consultation with literary agent Charlotte Seymour, and a manuscript assessment with The Literary Consultancy.
- Runner-up Prizes: Two prizes of €1,000 each.
- All shortlisted writers: Publication in the Desperate Literature anthology and a range of partner journals; opportunities for salon events and additional awards including travel stipends and residency prizes.
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.
FAQ
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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