Narrative Magazine Story Contest A project of Narrative Magazine (see other related projects). About OUR [seasonal] CONTEST is open to all fiction and nonfiction writers. We’re looking for short shorts, short stories, essays, memoirs, photo essays, graphic stories, all forms of literary nonfiction, and excerpts from longer works of both fiction and nonfiction. As always, we are looking for works with a strong narrative drive, with characters we can respond to as human beings, and with effects of language, situation, and insight that are intense and total. We look for works that have the ambition of enlarging our view of ourselves and the world. Fees Notice: This project charges fees (or requires purchases) for all submissions. The fee is USD $27 (above average for contests). Country of Publication United States Publication Medium & Contest Frequency Electronic Publication Electronic PublicationAwarded 3 x per year AI Policy Human-created work only; no AI use allowed Statistics Synopsis FasterNarrative Magazine Story Contest's overall average response time is faster than most contests. More ChallengingNarrative Magazine Story Contest's overall acceptance rate is lower than most contests. ResponsiveNarrative Magazine Story Contest's overall rate of non-response is within a normal range for contests. Collapse section Fiction Open Fee-based Rolling Submissions:Next cutoff date is 13 November 2026 11:59 PM PST (in 59 days).2Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: GeneralLengths: Flash Fiction: 500 - 1,000 words. Short Story: 1,000 - 7,500 words. Novelette: 7,500 - 15,000 words.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Winner's Prize:Professional payment (5 or more US cents per word) Professional payment. Details: USD $2,500 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. Collapse section Nonfiction Open Fee-based Rolling Submissions:Next cutoff date is 13 November 2026 11:59 PM PST (in 59 days).Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Lengths: Essay: Up to 15,000 words. Narrative Nonfiction: Up to 15,000 words.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary, Personal.Topics: Open to all/most Topics including... Memoir.Winner's Prize:Professional payment (5 or more US cents per word) Professional payment. Details: USD $2,500 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. Go to contest webpage Report: Submission/Response Correction/Update New Cover ArtSocial:Bluesky @narrativemag.bsky.socialFacebook FacebookInstagram @narrativemagThreads @narrativemag Support this Publisher: Buy Book(s) Make a Donation For the Editor(s): Request Interview Duosuma Submission Manager Link to Duotrope Narrative Magazine Story Contest 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: All Categories Fiction Nonfiction Group by submission Include outliers Include related projects Accuracy We have received 57 reports from 52 different members within the past 12 months, not including pending responses (see below). The more responses reported, the more accurate the information. Days Reported 0 min | 55.8 mean avg | 49.0 median | 408 max days (165.3 std dev) Responses 96.49 % 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: 96.49 % (50.8 avg. days per rejection) | 3.6 % personal, 83.6 % form, 12.7 % unspecified Non-Responses 1.75 % Lost/Returned: - Never Responded: 1.75 % (408.0 avg. days before reporting submissions as never responded) Withdrawals 1.75 % (4.0 avg. days per withdrawal) Pending 9 responses are pending (8 min | 101.9 mean avg | 100.5 median | 236 max days waiting | 1,454.3 std dev) from 9 different members This only includes pending reports from people who have been active on Duotrope within the past 30 days Other Information The most common submission fee paid: USD $27.00. Most submissions are acknowledged on the same day. Most recent response reported was received on 31 Aug 2026. Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 10 Jul 2026. Date compiled: 15 Sep 2026 05:50 UTC (3 hours, 12 minutes ago). View report of recent responses from this project 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 Projects30 Below Contest DNQ Charges fees for all submissionsNarrative Annual Poetry Contest Charges fees for all submissionsNarrative iPoem DNQ Charges fees for all submissionsNarrative iStory DNQ Charges fees for all submissionsNarrative Library DNQ Charges fees for all submissionsNarrative Magazine Charges fees for all submissionsNarrative Poem of the Week Contest Charges fees for all submissionsNarrative Prize Charges fees for all submissionsNarrative Six-Word Stories Charges fees for all submissionsNarrative Story of the Week Contest Charges fees for all submissions 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: 03 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