Flash 500 Short Story Competition A project of Flash 500 (see other related projects). About This is an open-themed competition and we accept all genres, including those written by or for children. Adult material is also acceptable providing the content fits the story and is not gratuitous.We are looking for stories with strong characters, a well-crafted plot and realistic dialogue (where used). Make us laugh, make us cry, but most of all, make us feel! Fees Notice: This project charges fees (or requires purchases) for all submissions. The fee range is GBP £7 to £20 (below average to above average for contests). Country of Publication United Kingdom Publication Medium & Contest Frequency Electronic Publication Electronic PublicationAwarded 1 x per year AI Policy Human-created work only; no AI use allowed Fiction Open Fee-based Rolling Submissions:Next cutoff date is 28 February 2027* (approx. 166 days from now).1Audience:Open to a broad Audience, including: Adults, Children.Genres: Open to all/most GenresLengths: Short Story: 1,000 - 3,000 words.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary, Mainstream.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Winner's Prize:Semi-pro payment (1-4.9 US cents per word) to Professional payment (5 or more US cents per word) Pay ranges from Semi-pro payment to Professional payment. Details: GBP £500 for first prize.Submissions:Method: Online form. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Multiple entries: Multiple entries are allowed.Media: Text. Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary.* We do not know the time and/or timezone, so we cannot be more precise. Submit early to avoid disappointment. Go to contest webpage Report: Submission/Response Correction/Update New Cover ArtSocial:X (Twitter) @500_flash For the Editor(s): Request Interview Duosuma Submission Manager Link to Duotrope Flash 500 Short Story Competition Submission Statistics The statistics in this section are compiled from submission reports sent to us through our submission tracker. They are not provided by the publication's editors/staff or by Duotrope's admins. Information in this section is updated a few times per day. Learn more about the statistics. Filter: Category: Group by submission Include outliers Include related projects Accuracy We have received 2 reports from 2 different members within the past 12 months. The more responses reported, the more accurate the information. Other Information The most common submission fee paid: GBP £7.00. Most recent response reported was received on 28 Mar 2026. Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 22 Feb 2026. Date compiled: 15 Sep 2026 09:02 UTC (less than a minute ago). Work submitted here was also submitted to...This section is available to subscribers only. Sign up and start your free trial today!Members accepted here also had work accepted by...This section is available to subscribers only. Become a member and start your free trial today! Your Submissions This section is available to subscribers only. Join today! Related ProjectsFlash 500 Flash Fiction Competition Charges fees for all submissionsFlash 500 Humour Verse Competition CLOSED Charges fees for all submissionsFlash 500 Novel Opening Chapter & Synopsis Competition DNQ Before SubmittingWe cannot guarantee that the information on this page is correct. It is not unusual for publications to evolve or close without notice. We do our best to keep up, but it isn't always possible. Duotrope listings do not imply endorsement or recommendation of the project being listed. Before submitting, you should use your own judgment to determine whether the project meets your standards.Always read the full guidelines provided by the publisher.Try to read at least one previous publication to get a better idea of what the editor would like to see.Unless the publisher's guidelines state otherwise, always use industry standard manuscript formatting.Be professional, patient, and persistent. DatesLast Updated: 22 May 2026We check their guidelines for changes every four weeks, and we audit the listing twice a year. Cookie Consent: This site uses secure first-party cookies for essential, preference-setting, and statistical purposes. We do not use any marketing, advertising, or third-party cookies. Read our full cookie policy. Accept All Cookies Allow Essential Cookies Only