Ronald Sukenick Innovative Fiction Contest 2027

The Ronald Sukenick Innovative Fiction Contest is an annual competition run by FC2 (Fiction Collective 2), an author-run, not-for-profit publisher dedicated to artistically adventurous and non-traditional fiction. The contest seeks manuscripts that push the limits of American publishing – work considered too challenging, innovative, or unconventional for mainstream commercial publishers.

Eligible entries may take the form of a novel, one or more novellas, or a collection of short stories, with no minimum or maximum length requirement. The manuscript must be unpublished as a whole, though individual pieces that have previously appeared in magazines or anthologies may be included in a collection. The contest is open to writers of, from, or in the United States writing in English who have not previously published with FC2.

FC2 particularly encourages submissions from writers who are Black, Indigenous, people of colour, disabled, LGBTQIA+-identifying, immigrant, or otherwise underrepresented in US literary publishing, and offers fee waivers to writers for whom the entry fee would pose a significant barrier.

Manuscripts are judged anonymously; finalists are selected by the FC2 Editorial Board, with the winner chosen by a final judge. The winner receives $3,000 and publication by FC2, an imprint of the University of Alabama Press.

Submissions for the 2027 contest will be open 15 August 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.