I'm extending the deadline because I didn't get the announcement posted to the website as early as I usually do. Rather than closing contest submissions on December 14th, submissions will remain open until December 31st. Thanks for understanding!
The theme for December is WRITER'S CHOICE!
All year, these contests have had a specific genre, theme, or prompt. Now, it's time to let your personal flair shine more than ever. "Writer's choice" means you determine the genre, the subject, your characters' motivations -- all of it. So, break free of the mold, and tell your story the way you want to tell it.
Short stories, flash fiction, poetry, microfiction, short memoir, and first chapters of longer works are all welcome. The word limit is 2,000 words. Please let me know if your submission comes with any content warnings. I also ask everyone to refrain from egregious violent or sexual content as I don't put age restrictions on content.
How to Submit
There are four ways to submit your work. Please pick the one that is most convenient for you. (Note: Neobook has been down for a few weeks. I recommend submitting through one of the other three options.)
Image Description: Feminine hands with long, red nails hold open a spiral-bound journal and write on its pages. Cobblestone is blurred in the background.
Credit: Anete Lusina / Pexels
- Via Email:
- email your submission to contact.undergroundbookshelf@gmail.com
- include the contest you are submitting to, the name you would like to be credited under, a brief bio, and your pronouns
- Via Neobook:
- publish your completed work on Neobook
- include the hashtag #flashfictionfun so that other participants can find and read your work
- direct message the contest moderator (@LauraWrites), (include the contest you are submitting to, the name you would like to be credited under, and your pronouns)
- Via Booksie:
- publish your completed work on Booksie
- include the hashtag #flashfictionfun so that other participants can find and read your work
- direct message the contest moderator (@LauraWrites), (include the contest you are submitting to, the name you would like to be credited under, and your pronouns)
Via Wattpad:
- publish your completed work on Wattpad
- include the hashtag #flashfictionfun so that other participants can find and read your work
- drop the link to your submission in the comment section of the appropriate chapter in the 2025 Writing Contests Book (or email me the link if you have difficulty posting the link: contact.undergroundbookshelf@gmail.com)
Contest Timeline
- Submissions open December 1, 2025
- Submissions close December 14, 2025 (*extended until December 31)
- Results announced the week of December 15, 2025 (*to be released the first week of January -- hopefully)
Prizes
Winners/honorable mentions have the option to have their story or poem featured on Underground Bookshelf the following month. If you are a winner or honorably mentioned, please make sure I have your up-to-date bio, the name you wish to be credited under, and your pronouns.
Add comment
Comments