Ink of Ages Fiction Prize 2027

The Ink of Ages Fiction Prize is an annual international contest run by the non-profit World History Encyclopedia and sponsored by Oxford University Press. The award celebrates short fiction that engages readers with cultural heritage and explores the interconnected human past.

Writers are invited to submit original, previously unpublished short stories in English across two specific categories: Historical Fiction and Mythological Fiction. All submissions must follow a strict timeline constraint: no part of the story can be set more recently than 50 years ago. Historical pieces must ground themselves in the past’s social, political, or cultural atmosphere (alternative history is permitted, but time travel is not). Mythological stories must actively draw from a genuine, specific mythic figure, folkloric tradition, or cultural belief, though they do not need to be set in the time or place of the original myth. Stories set in prehistory are welcome if they plausibly evoke the lived experience or oral traditions of the era.

The competition is open to writers worldwide. There are two entry tiers evaluated by age on the closing deadline: an Adult category for writers aged 18 and over (stories must be strictly 1,500–2,000 words) and a Youth category for writers aged 13 to 17 (stories must be strictly 800–1,000 words, accompanied by parental consent). Submissions must be written in English and are judged anonymously. Simultaneous submissions are permitted provided the organizers are notified immediately upon acceptance elsewhere.

Top prize: US$500 cash, global publication and promotion to over 7 million monthly readers, custom artwork (map, infographic, or family tree) by an in-house cartographer, story translation into multiple languages, and a lifetime World History Encyclopedia membership.

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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