Short Story Awards
Comprehensive guide to awards for short fiction writers. From flash fiction to novellas, discover competitions for your short stories.
About Short Story Awards
Short fiction has a vibrant awards landscape. The O. Henry Award and Pushcart Prize are among the most prestigious, honoring stories published in literary magazines. The Best American Short Stories anthology annually selects outstanding short fiction from American and Canadian publications.
Major Short Story Awards
O. Henry Award
Annual anthology honoring the best short stories published in American and Canadian magazines.
Pushcart Prize
Honors the best poetry, short fiction, and essays from small presses and literary magazines.
Best American Short Stories
Annual anthology selecting outstanding short fiction by a guest editor.
Sunday Times Short Story Award
One of the world's richest short story prizes. Prize: £30,000
Short Story Collection Awards
Short Story Awards FAQ
How do I get nominated for O. Henry or Pushcart?
Stories must first be published in eligible magazines or small presses. Editors nominate stories for these awards; authors cannot submit directly.
Are there awards for flash fiction?
Yes! Many literary magazines offer flash fiction contests. Awards like the Bath Flash Fiction Award and SmokeLong Quarterly awards recognize very short fiction.