Last year’s short story competition was so popular that we are not only running it again in 2021, but also opening it much earlier, to give you more time to get those entries polished. Once again, there will be just one category, for entrants of 16 years and over. The task is to write a short story on any subject or theme, apart from children’s stories. The maximum word count is 750 words; there is no minimum word count. There will be three cash prizes: £200, £100, and £50. The competition is now open and closes at midnight on 31st July 2021. Entry fees are £5 for one; £9 for two. Submissions must be made online.
Competition Rules
The competition is for short stories on any subject or theme.
The competition opens on Sunday 10th January. The closing date for entry is 11.59pm on Saturday 31st July 2021. Any entries received after this date will be disqualified and no refunds of fees will be made.
All entries must be previously unpublished.
Entry is open to anyone over the age of 16, living anywhere in the world.
All entries must be in English.
The maximum word count is 750 words. There is no lower word limit.
The cash prizes are £200, £100 and £50.
There is an fee of £5 for one entry or £9 for two.
Multiple entries are permitted.
Contact details must be provided separately. Do not enter any personal details on your actual story as judging takes place anonymously.
A shortlist will be announced mid-September. The winners will be announced at the ExeLitFest launch event in October
The decisions of the judges will be final.
How To Enter
Stories should be submitted electronically to competition@exelitfest.com with a covering email providing your contact details and your payment reference.
Your story must be sent as a Word or PDF attachment, preferably double-spaced in a clear 12 point font.
Use your story name as the file name.
The fees must be paid by PayPal.
Let us know if you are sending your fee from a PayPal account which is not in the name you are using to enter your story. This will enable us to match up fees and entries.
Use the Pay Now button on this website to make your payment, and make a note of the reference when you pay.
Please let us know how you heard about this competition, to help us judge the effectiveness of our promotional channels.
Entries will be acknowledged by email.