The Summer 2015 Flash Fiction Contest is now closed and in judging. Thank you for your entries, and we wish you the best of luck this season! Please sign up for our e-mail newsletter (upper right hand corner, gray box) for contest announcements.

OVERVIEW:

WOW! hosts a (quarterly) writing contest every three months, and has done so since 2006. The mission of this contest is to inspire creativity, great writing, and provide well-rewarded recognition to contestants. The WOW Flash Fiction Contest has awarded over $100,000 in cash to writers since its inception. The contest is open globally; age is of no matter; and entries must be in English. We are open to all styles and genres of flash fiction, although we do encourage you to take a close look at our guest judge for the season (upper right hand corner) if you are serious about winning. Please make sure to download our Contest Terms & Conditions PDF below for complete guidelines. Get creative, and let’s have some fun! Remember, we have limited entries, so enter early to ensure your spot. We look forward to reading your work!

WORD COUNT:

Maximum: 750

Minimum: 250

The title is not to be counted in your word count. We use MS Word’s word count to determine the submitted entry’s word count.

PROMPT:

OPEN PROMPT!

That’s right, this is your chance to shine, and get creative. You can write about anything, as long as it’s within the word count and fiction. If you’re feeling inspired, write something new, or dig out those stories you started way back when and tailor them to the word count.

We’re open to any style and genre. So, get creative, and most of all, have fun.

Click to Download the WINTER 2025 FLASH FICTION Contest Terms & Conditions PDF

This is not a reading fee. Entry fees are used to award our 20 winners as well as administrative costs.

We are limiting the number of entries to a maximum of 300 stories. Please enter early to ensure inclusion. If we reach 300 entries, we will disable the PayPal buttons.

Buy Entry Only: $10.00 CLOSED

Buy Entry Only: $10.00

Have you entered WOW's contest before?

Yes! No, this is my first time. Can't remember...

What's your story title?

Buy Entry with Critique: $20.00 CLOSED

Buy Entry with Critique: $20.00

ADDITIONAL OPTION: Due to popular demand, we now have two options for your entry. For an additional $10.00 you can purchase a critique of your contest entry.

Have you entered our contest before?

Yes! No, this is my first time. Can't remember...

What's your story title?

Upon the close of our contest, and after the winners are announced, you will receive a critique from one of our round table judges on three categories:

• Subject
• Content
• Technical

You will be provided with your scores (1-5) in each category, and personal editorial feedback as well. There’s also an additional category that does not get scored: Overview. That is the general impression your story had on the reader. Please be patient upon the close of our contest and allow time for our editors to thoroughly critique your piece. We send out critiques after finalists are announced.

FIRST PLACE:

• $400.00 cash prize
  
  
• $25 Amazon Gift Certificate
  
  
• Entry published on WOW! Women On Writing
  
  
• Interview on the WOW! Women On Writing Blog

SECOND PLACE:

• $300.00 cash prize
  
  
• $25 Amazon Gift Certificate
  
  
• Entry published on WOW! Women On Writing
  
  
• Interview on the WOW! Women On Writing Blog

THIRD PLACE:

• $200.00 cash prize
  
  
• $25 Amazon Gift Certificate
  
  
• Entry published on WOW! Women On Writing
  
  
• Interview on the WOW! Women On Writing Blog

7 RUNNERS UP:

• $25 Amazon Gift Certificate
  
  
• Entry published on WOW! Women On Writing
  
  
• Interview on the WOW! Women On Writing Blog

10 HONORABLE MENTIONS:

• $20 Amazon Gift Certificate
• Name, state, and title entry published on WOW! Women On Writing

Fall 2024 Flash Fiction Contest Update 12/1/2024: The Fall Contest (Entry dates: September 1, 2024 - November 30, 2024) is now closed and in first round judging. The first round is the most intensive round of judging and lasts 1 month and 1 week. Judging is conducted by 12+ judges. We expect to have a list of finalists on January 7 - 8, 2025. We will post a list of finalists here as well as send finalists further information on their judging schedule. At that time, we will also send back critiques to writers who purchased one. Thank you for your participation, and we wish you the best of luck in the first round! If you have any questions, please email us at contestinfo[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com and we will get back to you as soon as possible. We post updates here, so please check back on this page (be sure to do a hard refresh of your browser). You can also sign up for our email newsletter or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter (X), and Instagram. Thank you for sharing your work with us, and we look forward to reading it. Write on!

OVERVIEW:

WOW! is proud to introduce our newest essay contest! The mission of this contest is to inspire creative nonfiction and provide well-rewarded recognition to contestants. The contest is open globally; age is of no matter; and entries must be in English. Your story must be true, but the way you tell it is your chance to get creative. We are open to all styles of essay—from personal essay to lyric essay to hybrid essay, and beyond! Please make sure you download our Contest Terms & Conditions PDF below for complete guidelines. Get creative and let’s have some fun! We look forward to reading your work!

WORD COUNT:

Maximum: 1000

Minimum: 200

The title is not to be counted in your word count. We use MS Word’s word count to determine the submitted entry’s word count.

TOPIC:

OPEN TOPIC!

You can write about any subject you want to explore, as long as it’s within the word count and nonfiction. If you’re feeling inspired, write something new, or dig out those essays you started way back when and tailor them to the word count.

Click to Download the CREATIVE NONFICTION ESSAY CONTEST Terms & Conditions PDF

This is not a reading fee. Entry fees are used to award our winners as well as administrative costs.

We are limiting the number of entries to a maximum of 300 essays. Please enter early to ensure inclusion. If we reach 300 entries, we will disable the PayPal buttons.

Buy Entry Only: $12.00 CLOSED

Buy Entry Only: $12.00

OR

Buy Entry with Critique: $25.00 CLOSED

Buy Entry with Critique: $25.00

ADDITIONAL OPTION: Due to popular demand, we now have two options for your entry. For an additional $13.00 you can purchase a critique of your contest entry. Highly recommended!

Upon the close of our contest, and after the winners are announced, you will receive a critique from one of our round table judges on three categories:

• Subject
• Content
• Technical

You will be provided with your scores (1-5) in each category, and personal editorial feedback as well. There’s also an additional category that does not get scored: Overview. That is the general impression your story had on the reader. Please be patient upon the close of our contest and allow time for our editors to thoroughly critique your piece. We send out critiques after the contest winners are announced.

FIRST PLACE:

• $500.00 cash prize
  
  
• Essay published on WOW! Women On Writing
  
  
• One item from CreateWriteNow’s Store
  
  
• Interview on the WOW! Women On Writing Blog

SECOND PLACE:

• $300.00 cash prize
  
  
• Essay published on WOW! Women On Writing
  
  
• One item from CreateWriteNow’s Store
  
  
• Interview on the WOW! Women On Writing Blog

THIRD PLACE:

• $200.00 cash prize
  
  
• Essay published on WOW! Women On Writing
  
  
• One item from CreateWriteNow’s Store
  
  
• Interview on the WOW! Women On Writing Blog

7 RUNNERS UP:

• $25 Amazon Gift Certificate
  
  
• Essay published on WOW! Women On Writing
  
  
• One item from CreateWriteNow’s Store

10 HONORABLE MENTIONS:

• Name, state, and title entry published on WOW! Women On Writing
• One item from CreateWriteNow’s Store

Q1 Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest Update 11/1/2024: The Q1 Essay Contest (Entry dates: August 1, 2024 - October 31, 2024) is now closed and in first round judging. The first round is the most intensive round of judging and lasts 1 month and 1 week. Judging is conducted by 12+ judges. We expect to have a list of finalists on December 7 - 8, 2024. We will post a list of finalists here as well as send finalists further information on their judging schedule. At that time, we will also send back critiques to writers who purchased one. Thank you for your participation, and we wish you the best of luck in the first round! If you have any questions, please email us at contestinfo[at]wow-womenonwriting[dot]com and we will get back to you as soon as possible. We post updates here, so please check back on this page (be sure to do a hard refresh of your browser). You can also sign up for our email newsletter or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter (X), and Instagram. Thank you for sharing your work with us, and we look forward to reading it. Write on!

“Thank you so much for my critique! Even though I didn’t win there was much valuable information shared that I know will make my story so much better. I will definitely take the guest judge’s suggestions to heart and rework my story to submit next time. This is the best critique I’ve ever received! Thank you for running such an organized contest and supporting women writers!”

- Stacey Ray, San Diego, California

“Please thank the editor who critiqued my story. She pointed out several consistency errors and one major plot point I never would’ve noticed. I got more out of this one critique than years at my writers group! It’s a big help because I plan on expanding this story into a longer piece. This wasn’t the first time entering your contest, but it was the first time receiving a critique. My advice to others will be to spend the extra ten dollars because it’s worth it!”

- Vanessa Chen, Casa Grande, Arizona

“I want to say how much I love getting the feedbacks and how helpful and inspiring they are. I have sent plenty of flash your way and a few essays as well. I always choose the feedback option and it is always so kind, so spot on. I have used it to rewrite several of my stories that have then gone on to be listed or to win other competitions, which is always a thrill. There is always something to learn in this gig. It is so much harder than I ever imagined, so much more fun. I can't even recall how I found WOW, but I am a regular now and enjoy the blog as well as reading winning stories and essays each quarter. Thanks to the team who work hard to pull it all together.”

- Jo S., Brisbane, Australia

“Thank you for such a fun, wonderful contest. I thoroughly enjoyed writing 3 flash fiction stories for entry into your summer contest. This was my first time writing flash fiction. It was also my first time seeing, and entering, your contest. One of the things I enjoyed about the WOW contest is the ability to obtain critiques on my writing. I purchased the critiques for all three of my entries, and must say the comments were clear, thoughtful and detailed. The criticisms, when offered, were on the mark. Kudos to all those who write the critiques, and balance positive remarks with suggestions to improve. I appreciated the comments - good and bad - and think they will help make me a better writer. Thank you for running such a wonderful, supportive contest!”

- Linda K., Clifton, Virginia

“I wanted to thank you for the gifts from my honourable mention, which arrived yesterday.  I was ‘tickled pink’ by the thoughtfulness behind every gift.
 
On another note, I want to congratulate you for the wonderful job you do every day.  When I enter your website, a feeling of grace, kindness, and generosity of spirit prevails.  It is inspiring to feel those sentiments when all I’ve done is punch a few keys to order the fiber optics to display your site.”

- Evelyn Marentette, Ontario, Canada

“This award, and being published on the WOW website, made it feel official; I really am a writer!... a special thanks to the staff and editors of WOW...and reading the past winners’ stories is an excellent way to hone your own writing skills.”

- Donna Wilkins, New Mexico

“Thank-you so much again for the services you are rendering by running this website, the contest and all that you do. You have to be the most encouraging people I have ever met!”

- Jane Johnson, Kansas

“Your contests help spur some of us writers who have our hands full with so many other things to make out time for our writing.”

“Your site is so supportive and warm hearted, I feel like I have found the sisters I never had! Your personal attention to every detail makes it so special that I think even the most astute writer would have a hard time putting my heartfelt gratitude into words. Thanks again for everything. You have given me more than you know.”

- Dianne Greco, Port Jefferson, New York

“Thank you for having a challenging word length. I also love the way you communicate with your writers. You really appreciate the time and effort that everyone puts into their entries. It’s a pleasure to read your emails and your website.”

- Mandy Vicsai, Australia

“I just wanted to send a quick note to say, "thank you". I was one of the Honorable Mention Winners in the Flash Fiction Winter Contest and the goodies y'all sent me as a prize were so wonderful and thoughtful. When I opened the package, the care and consideration were obvious and it was tremendously appreciated.”

- Kristen Lamb, Texas