story

“Whatever story you're telling, it will be more interesting if, at the end you add, ‘and then everything burst into flames.’” Brian P. Cleary

“The greatest story commandment is: Make me care.” Andrew Stanton

https://scottishartstrust.submittable.com/submit https://www.scottishartstrust.org/flash?ss_source=sscampaigns&ss_campaign_id=69f9c3d2940349517a5cf13a&ss_email_id=69f9f584f09a4b18efa44725&ss_campaign_name=Edinburgh+Flash+Fiction+Awards+Are+Now+Open&ss_campaign_sent_date=2026-05-05T13%3A50%3A26Z

I love this competition. Everybody knows Nighthawks, but what about the other paintings. https://fracturedlit.com/2026-ekphrastic-hopper-challenge-april-27-2026-to-may-10-2026/

“When we read a story, we inhabit it. The covers of the book are like a roof and four walls. What is to happen next will take place within the four walls of the story. And this is possible because the story's voice makes everything its own.” John Berger

I hate it when I run across a comp too late for me to enter. But I thought these winners needed a little fanfare and hopefully this will run again in 2026. https://fictionprize.worldhistory.org/2025-results

Most people on here concentrate on novels tho we do work on FF, short stories and poetry esp for competitions. So I thought a thread where people can bring competitions or what they use in writing short stories.

Christmas Horror Short Story Competition! Our 2025 Christmas Horror Short Story Contest is now open, and we’re inviting you to put a dark (or delightfully eerie) twist on the festive season. Here’s what you need to know: The contest closes on 26th January, so there’s plenty of time to...

https://foxprinteditorial.com/2025/12/04/cohesion-the-key-to-powerful-story/

https://irishcountrymagazine.ie/short-story/ https://www.irelandsown.ie/irelands-own-writing-competition-2025/ The first will be slightly literary-see present winners. The 2nd explicitly says, NO SALLY ROONEY WANNABES

This seems like an interesting community to join...

relevant to songwriters ie poets and those thinking of audiobooks in their future. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/jul/29/how-to-quit-spotify-music-alternatives-apple-youtube-amazon-tidal-ntwnfb

https://www.galleybeggar.co.uk/prize

My writing process is chaos. I usually start with an overarching theme. Then I establish several story threads, but I don't outline. I just start writing and keep notes for what may come. It's an organic process that's usually pretty flexible. Lisa Lutz

Wherever my story takes me, however dark and difficult the theme, there is always some hope and redemption, not because readers like happy endings, but because I am an optimist at heart. I know the sun will rise in the morning, that there is a light at the end of every tunnel. Michael Morpurgo

For those who need that deadline push to finish and write The End https://www.writing.ie/writing-comps/the-moth-short-story-prize-2025/ https://www.writing.ie/writing-comps/anthology-personal-memoir-competition/ https://www.writing.ie/writing-comps/rte-short-story-competition-2025/...

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/mar/12/a-machine-shaped-hand-read-a-story-from-openais-new-creative-writing-model

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/09/spotify-algorithm-artists-music-musicians-money-songs-playlists In the hands of some of its most gifted practitioners, songwriting is a kind of emotional alchemy. For the past week, I have been returning to a perfect example: Every Time the...

https://www.patreon.com/posts/flash-theme-for-123307920?utm_campaign=patron_engagement&utm_source=post_link&post_id=123307920&utm_id=d5a0bbee-1a7f-49f4-8b0a-a96345cb3e95&utm_medium=email