Narrative Prize A project of Narrative Magazine (see other related projects). About THE NARRATIVE PRIZE is awarded for the best short story, novel excerpt, poem, one-act play, graphic story, or work of literary nonfiction published by a new or emerging writer in Narrative. 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 1 x per year AI Policy Human-created work only; no AI use allowed Statistics Synopsis Regular Speed Narrative Prize's overall average response time is within a normal range for contests. More ApproachableNarrative Prize's overall acceptance rate is higher than most contests. Less ResponsiveNarrative Prize's overall rate of non-response is higher than most contests. Collapse section Fiction Temp Closed Audience: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. Novella: 15,000 - 40,000 words. Novel Excerpt: 2,000 - 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 $5,000 for winner.Submissions:Method: Online form. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Multiple entries: Unknown.Media: Text. Collapse section Nonfiction Temp Closed Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Lengths: Essay: 2,000 - 15,000 words. Narrative Nonfiction: 2,000 - 15,000 words. Book Excerpt: 2,000 - 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 $5,000 for winner.Submissions:Method: Online form. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Multiple entries: Unknown.Media: Text. Collapse section Poetry Temp Closed Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: GeneralLengths: Poem: No line limits known; Up to 5 pieces.Poetry Forms:Open to all/most Forms.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Winner's Prize:Professional payment (US$50 or more per poem) Professional payment. Details: USD $5,000 for winner.Submissions:Method: Online form. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.Multiple entries: Unknown.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 Prize 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 Poetry Group by submission Include outliers Include related projects Accuracy We have received 34 reports from 30 different members within the past 12 months, not including pending responses (see below). The more responses reported, the more accurate the information. Days Reported 36 min | 73.5 mean avg | 71.5 median | 522 max days (82.9 std dev) Responses 94.12 % Acceptances: 5.88 % of submissions accepted (91.5 avg. days per acceptance) | 6.67 % of submitters accepted Rejections are often underreported, which skews the statistics in favor of acceptances. Most publishers have a lower acceptance rate than indicated here. Rejections: 88.24 % (69.0 avg. days per rejection) | 6.7 % personal, 70.0 % form, 23.3 % unspecified Non-Responses 2.94 % Lost/Returned: - Never Responded: 2.94 % (522.0 avg. days before reporting submissions as never responded) Withdrawals 2.94 % (97.0 avg. days per withdrawal) Pending 5 responses are pending (43 min | 155.6 mean avg | 105.0 median | 452 max days waiting | 1,488.2 std dev) from 5 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 29 Jul 2026. Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 30 Apr 2026. Date compiled: 09 Sep 2026 22:06 UTC (2 hours, 35 minutes 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! 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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