Writing Competition: CRAFT Flash Prose Prize

Flash prose is a versatile, dynamic form of storytelling with an energy all its own. At CRAFT, we love the way flash prose can entertain and inspire, engage and provoke. For the 2023 Flash Prose Prize,we’re seeking your best flash work, whether fiction or nonfiction. Guest Judge Kathy Fish is known the world over for her incredible facility with flash, and here’s what she’d like to see from you:

Here’s what Kathy would love to see:
I am so excited and honored to judge this contest! My favorite flash are the ones that are emotionally evocative and boldly, interestingly executed. I love a bit of innovation and experimentation if they serve and enhance the storytelling. Is this a story or essay that feels urgent? Does it need telling right now? Does it assert its urgency from the first sentence? Almost always, I will choose a piece that moves me deeply over a clever one that impresses, but lacks a beating heart at its center. Let your work reflect your true and authentic voice. Make me lean in and hang on your every word. There! I don’t ask for much, do I!

Submissions are open September 1 to October 31, 2023. Three winners will receive $1,000 each with publication. Three additional editors’ choices will receive $200 each with publication. Please review our guidelines below—we’re so eager to read your flash prose!

AWARDS:

The writers of the three winning pieces will each receive:$1,000 award and a bundle of the Rose Metal Press Field Guides.
Publication in CRAFT, with an introduction by Kathy Fish as well as an author’s note (short craft essay) to accompany the piece.

Editors' Choices:$200 each and publication to three pieces we just can’t let go.

GUIDELINES:

• Submissions are open to all writers, emerging and experienced.

• International submissions are allowed.

• Please submit prose work primarily written in English, but conceptually or stylistically necessary code-switching is warmly welcomed.

• Please submit flash prose ONLY!

• Please adhere to the 1,000 word count maximum per piece (up to two prose pieces per submission).

• We review literary work but are open to a variety of genres and styles.

• Previously unpublished work only—we do NOT review reprints for contests (previously published includes any form of self-publishing, blogs, personal websites, social media, etc.).

• Reprints will be automatically disqualified.

• We allow simultaneous submissions—writers, please notify us immediately and withdraw your entry if your work is accepted to be published elsewhere.

• The $20 reading fee per entry allows up to two 1,000-word prose pieces—if submitting two works, please send them in a SINGLE document.

• We allow multiple submissions—please submit each piece (or set of two pieces) as a separate submission accompanied by a separate entry fee.

• All entries will be considered for publication in CRAFT.

• Please double-space your submission and use Times New Roman 12.

• Please include a brief cover letter with your publication history and any content warnings, if applicable.

• We do not require anonymous submissions, but Kathy Fish will review the shortlist anonymously.

• Writers from historically marginalized groups may submit here, for free, until we reach 50 free submissions.

• We do not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, disability, family status, gender identity or expression, national origin, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation, or for any other reason.

• Additionally, we do not tolerate discrimination in the writing we consider for publication: work we find discriminatory on any of the bases stated here will be declined without complete review.

• AI-generated submissions will be automatically disqualified.