Masters Review Winter Short Story Award for New Writers

The Winter Short Story Award for New Writers is a bi-annual writing contest run by The Masters Review, a U.S.-based literary magazine and platform focused on emerging writers. The award recognises excellence in short fiction and creative nonfiction and aims to connect new writers with literary agents and a wider audience.

The contest is open to previously unpublished short stories or pieces of narrative nonfiction written primarily in English and under 6,000 words. Submissions must be original and not previously published in any format, including online or in print. Writers may submit multiple entries; each must meet the entry requirements.

Eligibility is restricted to emerging writers, defined as those who have not published a novel or memoir with a major press; authors with indie or self-published books may submit unpublished work. The competition is international and accepts entries from writers worldwide provided the story is in English. No translations are permitted.

Prizes:

• 1st place: $3,000, online publication, and agency review.
• 2nd place: $300, online publication, and agency review.
• 3rd place: $200, online publication, and agency review.

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.

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