Galley Beggar Press Short Story Prize

The Galley Beggar Press Short Story Prize is an annual short story competition hosted by Galley Beggar Press, an independent publisher based in Norwich, UK. It is open to both published and unpublished writers from anywhere in the world, writing original fiction in English.

Entries must be no longer than 6,000 words and must not have been previously published, online or in print. Translated stories are accepted if clearly marked as such, provided both the original and the translation are unpublished. Entries are submitted online as a Word document or PDF.

The winner receives a cash prize of £3,000. Three shortlisted writers each receive £200, and their stories are printed in pocket-book format and distributed to UK libraries, charities, and literary organisations. Ten longlisted writers each receive £50 in book vouchers plus a four-book subscription to Galley Beggar Press.

Entry costs £11 per story, though a number of free entries are offered each year to low-earners on a first-come, first-served basis. The longlist is announced 22 February 2027, the shortlist 15 March 2027, and the winner 29 March 2027.

Is this competition legit?Unknown – Based on our research it is not clear if this event is legit and if it’s hosted by a well established publisher. Please remember to do your own research and read the Terms & Conditions 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.