V.S. Pritchett Short Story Prize A project of The Royal Society of Literature About This Prize for the best unpublished short story of the year was founded by the RSL at the beginning of the new millennium to commemorate the centenary of an author widely regarded as the finest English short-story writer of the 20th century, and to preserve a tradition encompassing Pritchett’s warmth of feeling and mastery of narrative. Fees Notice: This project charges fees (or requires purchases) for all submissions, except for some waivers available for low-income writers. The fee is GBP £8 (below average for contests). Limited Demographic: Submissions are restricted to residents of the UK, the Republic of Ireland, and the Commonwealth. Country of Publication United Kingdom Publication Media & Contest Frequency Electronic Publication Electronic PublicationAwarded 1 x per yearPrint Publication Print PublicationAwarded 1 x per year AI Policy Unknown AI policy Statistics Synopsis Slower V.S. Pritchett Short Story Prize's overall average response time is slower than most contests. Fiction Temp Closed Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: GeneralLengths: Short Story: 2,000 - 4,000 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: GBP £1,000.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:Facebook FacebookInstagram @royalsocietyofliteratureX (Twitter) @RSLiterature For the Editor(s): Request Interview Duosuma Submission Manager Link to Duotrope V.S. Pritchett Short Story 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: Group by submission Accuracy We have received 3 reports from 3 different members within the past 12 months. The more responses reported, the more accurate the information. Days Reported 87 min | 133.3 mean avg | 155.0 median | 158 max days (40.2 std dev) Other Information Most recent response reported was received on 14 Jan 2026. Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 11 Aug 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! 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: 06 Jul 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