CRAFT Short Fiction Prize

The 2020 CRAFT Short Fiction Prize will open on March 1, 2020

2020 CRAFT Short Fiction Prize

Guest Judge: TBD

2019 GUIDELINES (2020 TBD):

• Open March 1, 2019 to April 30, 2019
• CRAFT Short Fiction Prize submissions are open to all writers
• International submissions are allowed
• Fiction only
• Please submit work in English only
• 5,000 word count maximum
• We review literary fiction, but are open to a variety of genres and styles—our only requirement is that you show excellence in your craft
• Previously unpublished work only—we do NOT review reprints for contests
• We allow simultaneous submissions—writers please notify us and withdraw your piece if your work is picked up elsewhere
• We allow multiple submissions—please submit each piece as a separate submission accompanied by a reading fee
• $20 reading fee per story/entry
• All entries will also be considered for publication in CRAFT
• All submissions must be made via Submittable
• All entrants will receive an exclusive digital compilation next fall that includes: the winning pieces, with Elizabeth McCracken’s introductions and the winners’ craft essays; excerpts from the finalist pieces; notes from the readers and editors about the reading process; and more
• Please, please, double-space your submission and use Times New Roman 12 pt font
• Please include a brief cover letter with your publication history (if applicable)

Friends, family, and associates of the judge are not eligible for consideration for the award.

• Winner: $2,000 award and a subscription to Journal of the Month 
• Runners-up: $500 and $300 award respectively for the second and third place finalists
• Publication of the top three stories in CRAFT, each with an introduction by Elizabeth McCracken
• Publication of an Author’s Note (craft essay) to accompany the story by each of the writers of the top three entries