The Folk Horror Short Story Contest

The Folk Horror Short Story Contest is run by Briar Press NY, a small independent publisher seeking previously unpublished short stories in the folk-horror tradition, set in any time period, place, or culture. The press is explicitly looking for atmospheric, nature-driven, ritual-and-folktale-infused storytelling in the vein of works like The Wicker Man, Rosemary’s Baby, and The Lottery.

Submissions must run 5–30 pages (roughly 2,500–15,000 words) and should be sent in Word or PDF format directly via email, with the author’s name, title, and page numbers on the manuscript, along with a short cover letter noting any prior publishing history and contact details.

Winners will be announced 1 December 2026, with the winning story to be included in Briar Press NY’s upcoming anthology These Rotted Things, released Spring 2027. The prize includes full publishing support — design, formatting, and release in digital and soft-trade paperback — plus promotion via Briar Press’s social media and Goodreads presence, and 3 free copies of the printed book for the author.

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.

Subscribe to Writing Deadlines
Never miss a deadline again. The Writing Deadlines newsletter delivers curated, verified writing competitions, prizes, and open calls straight to your inbox — subscribe here.

Could your writing use a second pair of eyes?
ProWritingAid combines deep grammar and style checks with genre-specific reports on pacing, repetition, and readability, helping you self-edit like a pro before you submit your work. Get started here —  it’s free to try!