J.F. Powers Prize for Short Fiction A project of Dappled Things (see other related projects). This listing may be deactivated on: 12 Oct 2026. Learn about this process. About “One foot in this world and one in the next”: that’s how J.F. Powers described the Midwestern priests he wrote about in his fiction. Having one foot in another world can be awkward, and Powers’ characters are known not for their graceful mysticism, but for the humiliating and mordantly entertaining stumbles they make while trying to live their faith. We’re looking for carefully crafted short stories with vivid characters who encounter grace in everyday settings—we want to see who, in the age we live in, might have one foot in this world and one in the next. No Fees! This contest does not charge mandatory fees. Country of Publication United States Publication Medium & Contest Frequency Print Publication Print PublicationAwarded 1 x per year AI Policy Human-created work only; no AI use allowed Statistics Synopsis Slower J.F. Powers Prize for Short Fiction's overall average response time is slower than most contests. More ChallengingJ.F. Powers Prize for Short Fiction's overall acceptance rate is lower than most contests. More ResponsiveJ.F. Powers Prize for Short Fiction's overall rate of non-response is lower than most contests. Fiction Temp Closed Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: GeneralLengths: Short Story: 1,000 - 7,500 words. Novelette: 7,500 - 8,000 words.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary, Mainstream.Topics: Religion/Spirituality: General, See guidelines.Winner's Prize:Professional payment (5 or more US cents per word) Professional payment. Details: USD $700 for First Place.Submissions:Method: Submittable submission manager. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Multiple entries: Multiple entries are NOT allowed.Media: Text. Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary. Go to contest webpage Report: Submission/Response Correction/Update New Cover ArtSocial:Facebook FacebookInstagram @dappledthingsmagX (Twitter) @dappledthings1 Support this Publisher: Make a Donation Subscribe For the Editor(s): Request Interview Link to Duotrope J.F. Powers Prize for Short Fiction 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 10 reports from 10 different members within the past 12 months. The more responses reported, the more accurate the information. Days Reported 3 min | 142.4 mean avg | 157.5 median | 188 max days (65.0 std dev) Responses 70.0 % Acceptances: 0.00 % No publication has a 0% acceptance rate. This data is based on submission reports sent to Duotrope, and we have not received reports of any acceptances yet. Rejections: 70.00 % (162.8 avg. days per rejection) | 0.0 % personal, 71.4 % form, 28.6 % unspecified | 10.0 % shortlisted Non-Responses 0.00 % Lost/Returned: - Never Responded: - Withdrawals 30.00 % (61.3 avg. days per withdrawal) Other Information Most submissions are acknowledged on the same day. Most recent response reported was received on 30 Apr 2026. Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 30 Nov 2025. Date compiled: 15 Sep 2026 09:03 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 ProjectsThe Bakhita Prize for the Visual Arts CLOSEDDappled Things 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: 14 Sep 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