WOW! Women on Writing Flash Fiction Contest

Open now for nonfiction and flash fiction.

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WOW! Women on Writing runs quarterly, globally open writing contests for flash fiction and creative nonfiction essays in English.

Response time info: The first round of judging lasts 1 month and 1 week; finalists are expected September 7-8, 2026

Read the full guidelines at wow-womenonwriting.com↗

Submission calls

nonfictionEligibility requirementsCloses Oct 31$12.00 entry fee, or $25.00 with optional critiquePays: Prizes include $500 first place, $300 second place, $200 third place, and gift certificates or publication for other placements.

Open to: Open globally; entries must be in English; no age restriction.

Open-topic creative nonfiction essays, including personal, lyric, and hybrid essays, 200–1,000 words. Q1 accepts entries August 1 through October 31 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time; entry is limited to 300 stories.

flashEligibility requirementsCloses Nov 30$10.00 entry fee, or $20.00 with optional critiquePays: Prizes include $400 first place, $300 second place, $200 third place, and gift certificates for other placements.

Open to: Open globally; entries must be in English; no age restriction.

Open-prompt flash fiction in any style or genre, 250–750 words. The fall contest accepts entries September through November 30 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time; entry is limited to 300 stories.

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