F(r)iction Spring 2026 Writing Contests

The F(r)iction Spring 2026 Writing Contests are run by Brink Literacy Project, the nonprofit publisher behind F(r)iction, a triannual literary magazine championing experimental and speculative writing. The contests span four categories — short story, poetry, creative nonfiction, and flash fiction — each judged by a guest judge from the literary world.

In this writing contest, the goal is to find work that reflects a mission similar to that of F(r)iction: writing that actively pushes the boundaries of traditional publishing, features complex characters and a strong narrative arc, and evokes a meaningful emotional response. The focus is on stories that feel original and unfamiliar, whether through inventive use of genre, setting, language, or voice.

The competition is open to writers aged 13 and over from anywhere in the world, writing in English. Submissions must be original and previously unpublished. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, provided entrants withdraw via Submittable if accepted elsewhere.

Each contest also includes a panel of three guest judges who assist in deciding the winners for every category. For Spring 2026, the judges are Manuel Aragon for Short Story, Brett Pribble for Flash Fiction, Shannon Chen See for Creative Nonfiction, and Trish Broome for Poetry.

Winners in each category will receive a cash prize, as well as the opportunity to work with a Senior Editor to prepare their piece for publication, either online or in print.

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.