John Steinbeck Award for Fiction

Reed Magazine is accepting entries for their annual John Steinbeck Award for Fiction, honoring outstanding short stories with one of the most generous prizes among literary magazines.

The competition welcomes a wide range of styles and voices—from literary to experimental—so long as the work is a stand-alone short story (not a chapter from a longer work).

The contest reading fee is $20, which includes a free copy of the latest edition of Reed Magazine.

Submitters can expect to hear back from Reed Magazine by the end of December 2025.

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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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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