John Steinbeck Award for Fiction

The John Steinbeck Award for Fiction is an annual short fiction contest run by Reed Magazine, the literary journal of San José State University’s Department of English and Comparative Literature. Named in honour of the Nobel Prize-winning author who was born and raised in the region, the award recognises exceptional stand-alone short stories across a wide range of styles, including experimental and literary approaches.

Entrants must submit an original, unpublished short story of up to 5,000 words. Submissions must be stand-alone works and not excerpts or chapters from a longer piece. Multiple entries are permitted as separate submissions, each requiring its own fee. Unsuccessful contest entries may still be considered for publication in the journal or online.

The $25 entry fee includes a copy of the latest edition of Reed Magazine; US-addressed submitters receive a print copy, while those with international addresses receive a digital copy. Results are communicated to entrants by the end of December 2026.

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.