Second Annual Short Story Contest
History Through Fiction is proud to announce our 2nd annual short story contest. Open June 15 – August 15, all submissions have a chance to be published in our first-ever paperback anthology!
Submissions Open June 15 – August 15
$250 Grand Prize!
Description
History Through Fiction is proud to announce our second annual short story contest. We're opening submissions on June 15, 2024, and they'll close on August 15, 2024. We invite writers to send in their historical fiction short stories. Two judges will carefully review each story, and every writer will get feedback from both judges. On September 15, we'll announce the top twenty stories. Then, on October 15, we'll reveal the top ten stories. These stories will be published in a paperback anthology, and each author will get $75. The big announcement for the runner-up and grand prize winners will be on November 15. The runner-up gets $150, and the grand prize winner takes home $250. Look out for the anthology's release on March 1, 2025.
Submission Period
June 15, 2024 – August 15, 2024
Submission Guidelines
Word Limit = 5,000
Time Period = Must take place prior to the year 2000
Historical Setting = Any
Publication Status = All submissions must be previously unpublished
Multiple Submissions = Accepted
Submission Requirements and Details
Submissions can only be made through our Duosuma Submission Manager.
$15 Submission Fee
All submitters will be subscribed to the History Through Fiction newsletter. Submitters may unsubscribe at any time, but all contest announcements will be made through the HTF newsletter.
All submissions require a brief cover letter and writer bio
Stories must be in a PDF, .doc, or .docx format
Judges
Click here to meet the judges.
Judging Criteria
Stories will be judged on five major criteria
Theme/Message
Historical Relevance
Character/Plot/Setting
Narration and POV
Overall Impact/Quality
All stories are rated on a 50 point scale, with 10 points for each category.
Prizes
1st Place, Grand Prize
$250 Cash Prize
Podcast interview on History Through Fiction: The Podcast
Publication in our paperback anthology
The title of your story will also be the title of the anthology
2nd Place, Runner-Up
$150 Cash Prize
Publication in our paperback anthology
Written interview on History Through Fiction’s blog
Shortlisted
$75 Cash Prize
Publication in our paperback anthology
All Submitters Receive:
Two written evaluations of your submission
A discount code for free access to our Member-only Content Area