CURRENTLY CLOSED TO SUBMISSIONS. OUR SUMMER FLASH COMPETITION BEGINS ON JUNE 6.
Twice each year TGS will award $1,000 and publication to the first-place winner of our Screw Turn Flash Fiction Competition. In addition, two honorable mention winners will receive $200 each, as well as publication. Our next deadline is July 15. Winners and honorable mentions to be announced and published on or before July 31, 2026.
Contest Schedule: The competition opens to submissions on December 1 and June 6; deadline date for the winter contest is January 31 and July 15 for the summer contest, with our winners and honorable mentions published on February 14, and July 31.
Entry Fee
Entry fee is $15. We’re interested in flash fiction pieces of between 250 and 1,000 words sent to us via our online submission system.
Guidelines
In our flash fiction competition, we’re seeking the finest work we can find that incorporates an uncanny element. Ghost stories are welcome, of course—but your submission may involve any paranormal or supernatural theme, as well as magic realism. What we’re looking for is superb writing, fresh perspectives, and maybe a few surprises. Please be assured that we will read and carefully evaluate ALL submissions to The Screw Turn Flash Fiction Competition.
Multiple submissions (one story per submission) and simultaneous submissions are permitted. However, we do not accept stories that have been published previously or that are scheduled for publication elsewhere, or that are the product, entirely or in part, of Artificial Intelligence. Further questions? Contact us by e-mail:
Editor@TheGhostStory.com.
Formatting
We prefer double-spaced Word documents. We don’t require that you remove your name and contact information from your story. Please include a phone number somewhere in your submission.
Rights
The Ghost Story acquires First Rights (online and print) to the winning and honorable mention stories in the Fiction Award competition. Following publication on our website, authors are free to resell/republish their pieces elsewhere.
Further information about the editor and publisher of TGS, including media coverage of our competitions, is available here.
Good luck!