$25 Cash Prize ($15 Runner-Up Prize). One work of short Fiction.

Emerge with us!  As a literary magazine that supports and amplifies new voices, we understand how hard it is for an emerging poet to enter the publishing world for the first time. The Debut Prize is set to usher writers into the gate and celebrate their debut in the literary community.  

The Debut Prize in Fiction recognizes two works of short fiction, two never-published fiction writers, with a $25 cash award. In addition to paid publication, the winner and runner up will be celebrated on our website and social media. Due to the selective nature of this contest, we might not be able to accept all the strong works we adore. With writers’ permission, we will gladly consider such works for publication in our regular online series.

For an example, click here to read 2021's Debut Prize in Fiction winner: "Hollow" by Ariana Tucker ________________________________________________________________  

Submission Guidelines 

• Submissions period: March 27th, 2026 - April 10th, 2026
• $3 donation per submission. Multiple paid submissions are allowed. 100% of your donation will go toward supporting our magazine (Submittable and website fees, paying our future contributors, etc.).
• Submissions are open to all fiction writers who have never been published by a literary magazine before. Self-published writers are welcome if the work you are submitting has not been published on personal platforms (social media, blog post, etc.).
• At the moment, we accept works of fiction primarily written in English. 
• Fiction works may be any style, format, or subject. We simply want to see your best work. Surprise us. Move us. Expand our understanding of fiction. Remind us what a good story can do. 
• Approximately 5,000 word count max per submission.
• Please consistently keep the font 12pt, single-spaced, Times New Roman or Garamond, unless a piece demands weird spacing and wonky fonts.
• Your name or other identifying information should not appear anywhere in your submission unless it’s part of the theme of the work.
• Please include a brief cover letter and a third-person author bio (25-75 words for the bio) in the submittable portion. A paragraph or two will suffice--just tell us a bit about you beyond your work.
• Simultaneous submissions are welcome. Please inform us at once when a current submission becomes unavailable. 
• We do not accept any AI generated content in any genre. Should we find that AI generated content is submitted, it will be rejected/disqualified. 

$25 Cash Prize ($15 Runner-Up Prize). One nonfiction piece up to 5000 words. 

Emerge with us!  As a literary magazine that supports and amplifies new voices, we understand how hard it is for an emerging poet to enter the publishing world for the first time. The Debut Prize is set to usher writers into the gate and celebrate their debut in the literary community.  

The Debut Prize in Nonfiction recognizes two works of creative nonfiction, two never-published nonfiction writers, with a $25 cash award. In addition to paid publication, the winner and runner up will be celebrated on our website and social media. Due to the selective nature of this contest, we might not be able to accept all the strong works we adore. With writers’ permission, we will gladly consider such works for publication in our regular online series.

For an example, click here to read 2022's Debut Prize in Nonfiction winner: "To Be Held" by Emma Zimmerman ________________________________________________________________  

Submission Guidelines 

• Submissions period: March 27th, 2026 - April 10th, 2026
• $3 donation per submission. Multiple paid submissions are allowed. 100% of your donation will go toward supporting our magazine (Submittable and website fees, paying our future contributors, etc.).
• Submissions are open to all nonfiction writers who have never been published by a literary magazine before. Self-published writers are welcome if the work you are submitting has not been published on personal platforms (social media, blog post, etc.).
• At the moment, we accept works of nonfiction primarily written in English. 
• Nonfiction works may be any style, format, or subject. We simply want to see your best work. Surprise us. Move us. Expand our understanding of nonfiction. Remind us what a good essay can do. 
• Approximately 5,000 word count max per submission.
• Please consistently keep the font 12pt, single-spaced, Times New Roman or Garamond, unless a piece demands weird spacing and wonky fonts.
• Your name or other identifying information should not appear anywhere in your submission unless it’s part of the theme of the work.
• Please include a brief cover letter and a third-person author bio (25-75 words for the bio) in the submittable portion. A paragraph or two will suffice--just tell us a bit about you beyond your work.
• Simultaneous submissions are welcome. Please inform us at once when a current submission becomes unavailable. 
• We do not accept any AI generated content in any genre. Should we find that AI generated content is submitted, it will be rejected/disqualified.