Welcome to our Second Annual Short Story Competition

After a successful competition last year, with over 800 entries, we’re open for business for a Second Year!

1. Details
2. About the Judge 
3. Prizes
4. Who Can Submit?
5. Competition Rules & Policies
6. Free Entries with Book Purchases
7. Submit Online
8. Submit via Postage
9. Reimbursements
10. Competition Contact Info
11. Submit your story

Details

• Judge:  Patrick Neale, Bookshop Owner
• Entry fee:  £15 for General Entry, £25 for Entry + Feedback.
  • Alternatively, you can purchase an equivalent value of books and ebooks from our website to receive a free entry.
• Word Limit:  2,500 Words
• Deadline:  Midnight GMT on Sunday, 28 February 2027
• Shortlist Announcement: Sunday, 11 April 2027 via email and webpage
• Winners Announcement: Sunday, 9 May 2027
• Feedback: Feedback will be dispersed via email by Wednesday, 30 June 2027 to those who pay for the Entry + Feedback Submission option.

About the Judge – Patrick Neale

Patrick Neale is a co-owner of the Jaffé & Neale Bookshop in Chipping Norton, UK. He has been President of the Bookseller’s Association and supports people who wish to open a bookshop.

When he isn’t recommending books, Patrick is Chairman of the Chipping Norton Rugby Club. Jaffé & Neale’s mission is to hold onto traditional values of high street bookselling while embracing the best bits that modern life offers.

Prizes

First Prize:  £1000

Second Prize:  £250

Third Prize: £100

The authors of the shortlisted stories will be compiled into an Anthology. Additionally, we will publish the three winning stories to our website.

Who Can Submit?

The Inkspot Publishing 2026 Short Story Competition is open to writers worldwide.

We promote and encourage quality writing from amateurs and professionals alike, so the competition is open to anyone, as long as the work submitted is the author’s own original work and is written in English. 

There is no lower age limit, but young authors should note that entries should not be exclusively written for a children’s audience.

Competition Rules & Policies

We encourage applicants to make their submission as early as possible before the deadline. Entries may be submitted online or via the post.

Please read the rest of the page thoroughly. Submission of an entry is taken as acceptance of the Competition Rules and Terms listed on this page.

1. Formatting guidelines:

• Your submission must be written in English or be your own work translated into English
• Add the title and word count on the front page. A cover page is only required for submissions by post.
• Your submission can be in any font, black 12pt is preferred. We will not accept handwritten entries.
• 1.5 or double spaced.
• Please number your pages.
• Please attach your document as word docs or PDFs.  Maximum file size 2MB.
• Please name attachments with your exact story title. If the story is untitled, use the exact first line for the file title.
• Please ensure your submission does not include your name or any other identifying marks.

2. No Identifying Information

The story itself should have no identifying marks, such as the author’s name or contact information in the document or its file name. Failure to delete identifying marks will result in disqualification. Your submission should only feature:

• The story
• The title of the story
• Word count

3. Multiple Entries

Multiple entries are allowed. Please submit each entry separately.

4. Submitting Stories to Multiple Platforms & Competitions

Authors may not submit stories that have been:

1. Shortlisted in another writing competition. 
2. Traditionally published.
3. included in large-circulation magazines, newsletters, or websites.

If your story is shortlisted or receives a prize in a different competition after submitting to the Inkspot Publishing Short Story Competition, please notify us immediately and we will allow you to submit a different piece in its place. Failure to do so will result in disqualification without reimbursement.

Please contact us if you need further clarification.

5. Shortlisted and Winning Stories

• All shortlisted submissions will be compiled into an anthology.
• Shortlisted authors that wish to opt out of the anthology must notify us by email or contact form by May 31st, 2027.
• Inkspot Publishing will not take any ownership of shortlisted submissions, copyright and ownership remain with the author.
• The top three stories will be posted to the Inkspot Publishing website.

6. Rights to Submissions

Inkspot Publishing reserves the right to include shortlisted stories in an anthology, and post the winning three stories to our website. 

Inkspot Publishing will not claim any ownership of submissions. All ownership and copyright remains with the author.

7. Feedback

If you choose to purchase a £25 submission, you will receive feedback on your entry from a competition reader. Feedback will be dispersed via email by Wednesday, 30 June 2027.

8. Purchase Books for Free Admission

Writers in the UK can purchase paperback books and eBooks from our website instead of paying for submission.

• Purchase must be of equal value to the price of your submission (For example: receive one free admission for a purchase of at least £15, Receive two free admissions for a purchase of £30, Receive a free admission + feedback after spending at least £25)
• Once your purchase is complete, please forward the following information to taryn@inkspotpublishing.com:
  • A screenshot of your email receipt or order number
  • Author Pen Name
  • Your preferred email address for competition notifications
  • Story title
  • Word Count
  • Story File(s) (pdf, doc, or docx)

Submit Online

• You can submit your story at the bottom of the page.
• Multiple entries are allowed, but please purchase your entries one at a time.

Submit by Post

Submissions should be sent by post to:

Inkspot Publishing Short Story Competition
Cleevestones
Over Norton, UK
OX7 5PH

Posted submissions should include the following:

• A cover letter including your name, address, telephone number, email address, and the title of your story(ies).
• Your submission, featuring only the title of the story and the wordcount on the front page with no other identifying marks whatsoever.
• Payment for your entry(ies) can be made by BACS, or by enclosing a cheque or postal order.
• Please contact taryn@inkspotpublishing.com to pay with BACS.

Cheques and postal orders are to be made payable to ‘Inkspot Publishing’. Please include your name and address on the back.

Reimbursements

Refunds will be given for specific scenarios such as accidental purchase of multiple submissions, or a request within 48 hours of purchase.

Reimbursements will not be given after 48 hours of your purchase because a reader may have already reviewed your submission. Reimbursements will also not be given for any reason after two days of submissions closing (March 2nd).

Report Submission Issues

If you run into any problems during the submission process, please contact us.

Submit Your Story