Stories That Need to Be Told: The Contest
9 Augustus 2026
Writing prompt: What if the only way to save yourself from this reality is to write yourself a new one? The story you choose to tell is everything. There is still only one category for this competition: the Story. That means fiction, nonfiction, or poetry—as long as it tells a story, it fits.
Prizes:
- Grand Prize: $1000 and a 2-year ($100) gift certificate to Duotrope.
- Five additional prizes of $200 will be given for stories that excel in the merits of Humor, Passion, Depth, and (any form of) Love.
- An additional $200 prize will be awarded in a wild card category, to be determined by the entries.
Additionally, winners and Honorable Mentions will be published in and receive a free copy of the annual Stories That Need to Be Told anthology.
Word Limits:
- Prose: 10 000 words
- Poetry: 5 pages per poem (note:one poem per entry fee)
Entry Fee:
- $20 per entry
- That includes $20 per poem (because every entry has the potential to win the same cash prizes). There is no limit on the number of times you may enter. If you withdraw your entry as noted below, the entry fee is nonrefundable.
Deadline: 9 August 2026 (by midnight, Pacific time)