Fractured Lit Work/Play Challenge
April 24 to May 5, 2024
Ready to test your writing skills? We're back with a new opportunity! We're challenging writers to create new stories of up to 1,000 words within thirteen days! We're excited to offer the winner of this challenge $500 and publication. All entries will be considered for publication at our regular rate.
Challenge Prompt
For this challenge, we want stories based on the theme of “Work/Play.” If we get to know our characters in flash fiction through action, nothing quite reveals them more than their behavior when they’re at a particular job or when they’re at play. Be imaginative and original in your choice of setting, in your invention of plot, and in the combination of these elements to create an exciting and resonant story.
flash fiction OPEN
May 11 to July 14, 2024
Our guest judge, Maurice Carlos Ruffin, will choose one grand prize winner and 15 finalists from a shortlist. The first-place winner will receive $2,000 and publication, while the 15 finalists will receive $100 and publication. All entries will be considered for general publication.
feedback lab
June 01 to June 30, 2024
Need some help getting that draft ready to submit? Our feedback editors love to help writers refresh and finish drafts and get them ready for submission season!
micro prize
October 01 to December 01, 2024
We're looking for the best microfiction. Do you have a complete story of 400 words or less? We're excited to offer the winner of this prize $2000 and publication, while the 2nd and 3rd place winners will receive publication and $600 and $400, respectively. Judge Deb Olin Unferth.
anthology 5
December 01 to February 02, 2025
Showcasing today's best flash fiction writers. $4000 awarded between 20 finalists. This year, stories will be selected by a guest judge (TBA), who will choose 20 winners from a shortlist of 50 stories. All entries will be considered for publication.
micro & flash
always open
Fractured Lit publishes microfiction and flash fiction from writers of any background or experience. Both the micro and flash categories are open year-round and with no submission fees. We accept simultaneous submissions but ask that you inform us immediately and withdraw your work if your story is accepted elsewhere. We pay our authors $50 for original microfiction and $75 for original flash fiction.
Microfiction for Fractured Lit is 400 words or fewer.
Flash fiction is 401-1,000 words.