#flash fiction contest

[thirdwednesdayorg]

3rd Wednesday's Annual George Dila Memorial Flash Fiction Contest

The 2025 George Dila Memorial Flash Fiction Contest will open for entries on May 15 and close on August 15, 2025. The editors of Third Wednesday are pleased to honor the memory of George Dila, friend of Third Wednesday and the editor who originally brought fiction to 3W. We are proud to have called him friend and colleague. To this end, we proudly announce the Annual George Dila Memorial Flash…

[weirdchristmas]

Americans think Christmas ends on Dec 26th. Well, I'm keeping the spirit alive! My procrastination was purposeful! Trust me! (And this may not be all there is to come from me this year, if the brain chemistry and whims of fortune remain stable...)

[herearedragons]

🔥 brith u ligma

LAVARRU BION SIK I mean UNPOPULAR OPINION! I think that there are too many... expectations? standards? about what's an acceptable piece of fic to post online, both length-wise and quality-wise. I want to see people post the fic equivalent of a 20-second pencil doodle of their OC. Yes, that includes YOU, person reading this. Yes, even if you've never written a story in your life. I want to see the equivalent of "I'm starting to learn how to draw!" posts but with fic. DO IT. if everyone only posts finished, refined, long fic, it just makes it more intimidating for new people to join

[shy-writes]

Zero Stars

tw: Mentions of death and chronic illness

I really wanted to like this product. I’d been having a lot of trouble with my current model, but I couldn’t afford an upgrade, so I was really excited to see the reviews saying this attachment basically gave you the same “lifesaving” feature as the new edition. But they were all TOTALLY WRONG and I can only assume those are bots paid for by the company, because I hooked everything up exactly how it told me to and I still ended up dying. And before anyone asks, yes I did follow all the directions exactly, and yes I tried turning it off and back on. Twice.

I’m seriously becoming more and more dissatisfied with how this company’s products are progressing. When I got the first model ten years ago, I was honestly skeptical. Like, I saw all the commercials and stuff, and I thought it just looked way too good to be true. Especially since it was so cheap back then. I guess they had to lower the prices a ton at first to convince people to gamble on it. You know, since it’s so hard to install and everything, and what if you went to all the trouble and it didn’t work?

But it did work. Immediately after I set it up, I could tell that the air in the house was so much purer. My dad had died that summer in the downstairs bedroom, and the whole place was still so heavy with it, but everything cleared up right away once I turned the device on. And my job at the time was awful; shitty hours, shitty pay, shitty coworkers. But then everyone started treating me better, and I even got a raise. That was just two days after the installation. That’s how quickly it started working back then.

I got a really cool girlfriend, which was kinda new for me. Like, I’d kissed a couple of girls in high school when I was just figuring out what it meant to be a lesbian, but I’d never had a real relationship like that. I’m a little embarrassed to admit it, but I mostly just slept around at college parties. I was kinda cool in those circles because I was a dropout and a townie, but every one-night stand just left me feeling like more of a failure. My brother’s a tech bro out on the west coast, and my sister’s in med school, but there I was having sex with random sorority girls and surviving off IHOP and cheap wine.

But anyway, a month after I installed the machine I got together with this cute girl Hannah. We all called her “Hannah with an H” because that’s how she gave her name at every bookstore or cafe when they asked for her rewards account info. For the longest time I was so confused because I thought she was talking about the H at the beginning of her name, not the end, and I was like uh, yeah, what else would it start with? She found that really funny when I told her about it. She found me really funny most of the time. I met her through a friend and I’d kind of absorbed information about her for a few months before we really met, and even though we didn’t know each other that well at first, we hit it off crazy fast. Like, it was a real U-Haul moment. We were up each other’s asses constantly, always going to this event or watching that movie, and it got to be where it was almost weird for us to be apart. I started to really like being thought of as half of a pair. Like we were a unit, a matching set, and we were better together than I’d ever been on my own. Maybe I was using her a little bit. But she was using me too. We were using each other, and we were both comfortable with it. Because of the machine. For two years, the machine made everything perfect.

But, as we all know, they found out that the first model was prone to catching fire, so they were all recalled. They replaced mine for free that time, which is something they’d never do now. They used to actually care about their customers instead of just milking them for every penny. But whatever, the second model was even better than the first. Hannah and I got engaged, and then we got hitched with an H. She wanted to move to a bigger place, but I didn’t want to deal with dismantling the machine, so she ended up paying for a professional to remove and reinstall it in our new house. They were really heavy back then, so it was a whole ordeal. It was more expensive to transport it than it was to buy it, honestly, but by then people were spreading the superstition that it’s bad luck to use a pre-owned machine, and that’s all we could’ve afforded then. They’d gotten so much more expensive than when I initially bought mine. Keep in mind that this was when they were, like, half the price they are now, and it was already dipping outside of my price range. But yeah, I don’t know if it was the new model or that it had a bigger house to work in or something, but I got a huge raise pretty much immediately after we moved into our new place.

Then the Model 3 came out, and we actually were doing pretty well for ourselves, so me and Hannah decided to go in on one together. We sold our old one online, too, so that helped make the cost of the new one feel more digestible. And guys, this was when Model 3 was, like, the SHIT. I know people trash it now, but it was so much better than Model 2. For one, it was smaller. They’re so tiny now that you’d probably laugh if you saw how crazy people got at the size of the 3, but it was revolutionary for its time. And, more importantly, the yield was insane. Hannah got a promotion, I landed a gig at my favorite comedy venue, and we found two baby kittens on our porch that summer. And y’all they were SO CUTE. Like, even for kittens, they were absolutely adorable. We just fostered them because we didn’t want to have any pets yet, but it was really fun to have those little fluff balls in the house for a while. It was really good for a solid two years.

And then Hannah got sick.

They still don’t really know what was wrong with her. But she’d wake up in the middle of the night struggling to breathe, and short walks exhausted her so much she’d be out for a day straight. They tried all kinds of meds—steroids, blood thinners, immunosuppressants—but nothing helped. We sent out every test they recommended, and of course Hannah couldn’t work anymore, so we ran out of funds pretty fast.

Then Model 4 came out. And it was smaller and came in pretty colors, and it was supposed to have health benefits. Nothing was working, and we were just so scared, so we used the last of our savings on a little mint green Model 4, and we had it installed as quickly as possible. I thought she got a little better, but I guess it was just a placebo effect. We almost joined the lawsuit against them for false advertising, but we decided that would be too stressful on us. We just wanted to spend time together. Whatever time we had left.

Well, turns out we didn’t have that much time, because Hannah left me. Said she didn’t want to have to live the rest of her life being sad for me, or something. She didn’t want to talk about it. She didn’t want to argue. She just wanted to leave, and so she left. I guess I can’t blame her. Sometimes I wonder if she’s still alive, somewhere. If she misses me. But probably she’s dead. I hope she’s dead, kind of. Does that make me a bad person? Whatever. Who cares.

Anyway, that’s around when my mom moved in with me. She was sick, too, but they knew what it was. Liver failure. So she moved in to die in my house, for some reason. I was always her least favorite child, but whenever I asked her why she didn’t just go stay with my brother and his wife or my sister in her fancy apartment, she wouldn’t answer me. Maybe she just wanted to punish me. Sounds about right. But I was getting sentimental, and I guess I thought I could make up for not saving Hannah by saving my mom, so I bought Model 5 when it came out. This time, they made sure all their health claims were backed by data. So, when I got it, I was really hopeful. I guess I should’ve read the fine print.

“Proven to improve health in those suffering from chronic conditions.*”

“*Symptoms of chronic pain and illness may be partially or fully managed by use of this device, however underlying causes are not guaranteed to reverse or improve.”

So I dropped a ton of money on the 5, and it made my mom kind of loopy and giddy, but her liver failed anyway and she died in her bed. By then the 6 and 7 had already come out, and we all knew that the newer models were designed to stop working after a few years, and the whole thing just left the worst taste in my mouth. I kind of loosely followed all the little scandals, like when they made their software incompatible with generic-brand attachments, but mostly I was just worried about my own stuff. Honestly, I don’t know why I got a new model when my 5 broke down. Out of habit, maybe? Funny, how those machines have become a vital part of normal life now.

I lived to regret it, though, because those new machines had a clairvoyant feature that predicted I’d die in a house fire. That was about four months ago. And I guess my experience wasn’t that unique, because a ton of other people were complaining about death fortunes online. At first I think most of us assumed it was a bug, but then people started dying for real. I think that’s why they advertised the Model 10 the way they did, with its new fate-bending capabilities. Which is pretty fucked up, if you think about it. Like, they sold us the poison that gave us this anxiety in the first place, and then they made us pay for the antidote. Shouldn’t they have just done another recall?

Whatever. Not my decision. And it doesn’t matter now, because even though this adapter PROMISED it would apply fate-bending technology to the older models, it didn’t work and now my house is on fire. My fingers are raw and overcooked and ins omuch pain typingt his right now, but I really just wanted to make sure no oneelse got tricke dby this product and the fake reviwes like Idid. I kind of can’t see thorugh the smoek now sos orry if thereare typos. Anways don’t buy tihs produtc.

[kenney-mencher]

Write a story about "One of the Good Guys" and win this drawing! Winner will be announced April 2, 2024 Visit my blog for details: https://www.mencher.blog/2024/03/win-this-drawing-for-writing-short-story.html

[glassandink]

(I did the 100 Word challenge from NYC Midnight. 100 words is less than you think it will be. I was leaning very heavily on thinking if I put my source in the title people would read the admittedly obscure fairy tale and engage with it in its context. The judges didn’t get it and thought I was alienating my audience ((fair)) but this is my blog so I can post my confused, incomprehensible bastardized poem/flash thing anyway)

Grimm’s ‘3 Army Doctors’ in an Existential Tailspin

What are you in this armistice? An army surgeon rendered obsolete without war’s meat-grinder mincing up bodies?

Eye, hand, heart: tools of trade torn asunder, volitional self-evisceration proving that you are yet something, something, something.

This, much like life: Scant difference between what you have done and what has been done to you. Who would choose this?

Inhuman heart in your chest. Salute with a hand that now scrabbles for pennies and breadcrumbs. Stumble sightless and untethered into unexpected dawns.

“Holding down the fort?” Meaning: reintegrated to civility?

Is there enough ‘you’ left to reintegrate?

[silverbluedragon]

Hello gorgeous awesmazing people!

Writing Battle has a very special place in my heart. I stumbled upon it by accident 1.5 years ago, seeing it in a dear friend's social feed. I decided to give it a go and since then have been addicted.

It's the perfect way to get outside my creative comfort zone and challenge my craft. I love it. I argue with my screen sometimes when I read the feedback (that's the biggest treasure you get) but don't we all. Taking feedback is a journey and a stormy one most of the time. But so incredibly worth your while.

I am pretty proud of how I did in the Heart Flash Fiction (learn more on the writing battle site) and "The Missing Piece" held strong for 7 of the 8 rounds.

I have added links to my carrd so you can check it out. Or you can grab the direct link >>here<<

Biggest hugs to all!

[mantis-religiosa-writes]

WRITING CONTEST #1

Contest Details:

Where to submit - mantisreligiosa.press@gmail.com

Either paste your text within the body of the email (with the title) OR send a document as a PDF file.

The Prompt:

Submit a flash fiction piece between 100-300 words or a poetry piece of 40 lines or fewer. All entries must contain these three words (flora, steep, AND guide). If these words are not present, your submission will not be considered.

Feel free to provide your Tumblr user so I can credit the winners. At least three winners will be selected for this contest.

The Deadline - October 20th

[charbroiledchicken]

monster in the closet - flash fiction by charbroiledchicken

My brother used to tell me a monster hid in my locked cupboard.

Right at the back.

Cushioned and cosy halfway between the ugly sweaters Nana gave me and Narnia.

Sometimes, in the middle of the night, it knocks on my door.

Once. Twice. A dagger scratching tallies into the wood. Counting.

Knock back, my Mamma used to whisper, smoothing down my fringe with those slightly icy hands. I used to love those hands. Now they remind me of corpses. Monsters. Knock back, make loud noises, scare them. Before bed, I would roar into the smooth wood until my little voice grew hoarse.

But now I’m older, but only in numbers. My fingers spindly and voice gravely like Mamma. And for the first time, I open the cupboard, brush past the sweaters, and grip empty air where the back should be.

There, a little kid was sleeping in their bed.

[tychodorian]

Hey everyone! 🌟 Just popping in with a quick reminder about some exciting things happening right now!

First up, don’t forget about my 250-word flash fiction challenge over on YouTube. You've got until August 20th to submit your entries. It’s a fun way to stretch those creative muscles, and I can’t wait to see what amazing stories you all come up with!

And speaking of amazing, there are also just two more days left in my massive 75% off sale over on Etsy. This is your last chance to snag items at such a steep discount! We’re talking fine art, merch, and even commissions. Whether you’re looking for something unique for yourself or a gift for a friend, now is the time to grab it.

Trust me, you don’t want to miss out on these deals. Once they’re gone, they’re gone!

So head over to my Etsy shop, check out the sale, and don’t forget to submit your flash fiction pieces on YouTube. Happy shopping and happy writing!

[frizzyanya]

I submitted something to a flash fiction contest

I've never done that with prose before (I did once submit a poem to the Taco Bell literary journal, but it was not very serious of me and I didn't get it because I'm no poet)

I've written so many things and 90% of them are sitting in my drive never to be seen by anyone but me, but for once I put myself out there

I'm trying to stop thinking about it and chill out but it is very hard

[thirdwednesdayorg]

3rd Wednesday's Annual George Dila Memorial Flash Fiction Contest

Congratulations to this year’s contest winners and honorable mentions: Mary Switalski / Takoma Park, MarylandA. Grifa Ismaili / Baton Rouge, LouisianaRuairidh MacLean / London, United KingdomGeraldine Marshall / Paducah, KentuckyBen Rose / Oak Ridge, North CarolinaKevin Broccoli / Johnston, Rhode Island All stories will appear in the fall issue near the end of this month.

[weirdchristmas]

ANNOUNCING the 2024 Weird Christmas Flash Fiction Contest! Prizes! Fame! Indigestion! Concerning, hard-to-express feelings!

[jllongwrites]

Sign up to read your work at the NHWP's Three Minute Fiction slam for a chance to win the $250 cash prize! This event is free for all NHWP members and will take place on November 11, 2023. For more information or if you would like to sign up to read your work visit the website here: https://nhwritersproject.org/three-minute-fiction-slam/ #nhwritersproject #flashfictionwriters #threeminutefictionslam #nhwriters

[stormcellarmag]

WINNERS! of the 2023 Force Majeure Flash Contest — full announcement: https://wp.me/p1tViT-19z

1st Prize "Pre-Elegy for My Sister" by Whitney Koo 

2nd Prize "A Brief World" by Uyen P. Dang  2nd Prize "Bones" by Nathan Long 

honorable mentions: "Garden Statues" by Kendall Morris, "Midnight Zone" by Caleb Tankersley, and "Taint" by Veeda Khan.

[karthlake]

TBC Publishing Pride Month Flash Fiction Challenge, 19 of 30

TBC Publishing Pride Month Flash Fiction Challenge, 19 of 30 Title: Soulmark Author: R. Scott Tyler Genre: Fantasy Word count (500 max): 495 Prince Kael rode through the forest in a foul mood. Today, his best friend, Galadriel, found her soulmark partner. Kael had been with her when she met Mavern for the first time. “Why do I have to keep traveling around the kingdom meeting all these…