Great News!!

Shaun Hutson is our VIP judge. Shaun Hutson

See our Competition Rules page for details on how to enter.

The 'Flash Fiction' contest is up to 1,000 words, and the 'Short Story' is up to 2,500 words. Shaun Hutson is going to pick the lucky finalists from both. Our planned anthology will also feature one or two of his stories that have never been published.

So enter our competitions for a chance to have your story published next to his.

Flash Fiction contests run from the 1st of August until the 31st of January.

Short Story contests run from the 1st Janury until the 31st May.

We know flash fiction has become quite popular. Having to write a complete story in under 1000 words is a challenge in itself but, the results can often be thrilling.

On the other hand, short stories of around 2,500 words have room for more detail, or to build tension towards that vital twist ending.

The cash pot for prizes will be worth £400, (£250, £100 and £50) for each competition.

Long and short-listed entries from both competitions will be published in our anthology for the world to see their work. Near misses may be published on our site, with the author's permission of course.

Spread the word. Link us to your social media and tell everyone about us. We are keen to showcase new talent by promoting their work.

The genres we prefer are on our Competition Rules but, think scary and unusual, strange and unnerving. You can always add a little humour or mix genres if you like.

Please get in touch, we want to know your thoughts.

Don't forget to leave us your email.

Just sign into our 'Guestbook' below.

'Fictional Reality' - Out now

Wow, we've been Awarded

as one of the

'Best Writing Contests

by Reedsy!!!

Thank you to:

Shaun Hutson for agreeing to be our VIP judge - for a second year running.

Christopher Fielden for adding us to his competition listing.

Almond Press for adding us to their competition listing.

Christine Reeves for offering to spread the word.

Reedsy for adding us to their competition listing and for the award.

Guestbook

Carrie
25th September 2023

I thought the anthology was fab. I'm going to enter your contests and hope to be in your next book. ---- Carrie, thank you for your comment and we look forward to reading your stories.

Christina
24th July 2023

Are you currently doing a contest? I couldn't tell if a new one had started. ---- Hi Christina, our Flash Fiction contest opens on the 1st of August.

Sally Curtis
7th July 2023

Thank you so much for the 3rd place honour. Very happy to have made the top three. Congratulations to 1st and 2nd, and also to those who made the long and short lists this time round. Can’t wait for the next challenge. ----- Hi Sally, and congratulations. Thank you for getting back to us, and your kind words. Our Flash Fiction competition opens on 1st August 2023, and, because he enjoyed it so much, Shaun Hutson is going to be our VIP judge for a second time.

Deidra
2nd July 2023

Do you know when the final three will be announced in the short story competition? ----- Hi Deidra, thank you for your question. We hope to announce the result in the next week or so. Shaun Hutson has the shortlist at the moment, and we're waiting for him to get back to us. He is a busy man, so it's difficult to set an exact date. We'll let everyone know as soon as we can. However, because our team of readers have performed so well, we're actually ahead of schedule. We were originally aiming for the end of July.

Sally
16th February 2023

Hi Wondered if you had a date fixed for the results of the Flash Fiction competition? I had a look, but couldn't see anything. Thanks x ---- Hi Sally, we're planning to announce the results of our Flash Fiction competition on the 31st March 2023.

Kelly
9th February 2023

Hello! Can you clarify the submission deadline time and time zone, please? Thank you! ---- Hi Kelly, our Short Story competition runs until 31st May 2023 UK time. Please see our Competition Page for more info.

mike creese
31st January 2023

Hi. For two submissions for the short story, should they be in the same e mail or separately. TIA ----- Hi Mike, thank you for the query. Please send them in the same email as individual files.

AP Greenlaw
13th January 2023

Can I confirm your Flash Fiction and Short Story word counts please? I have a rough idea, obviously, but can't find a definitive answer. Thanks! ----- Hi AP, our Flash Fiction is 1000 words or less and our Short Story is 2500 words or less.

Susan M C
3rd December 2022

Could I clarify the flash fiction closing date please? 31st Jan 2023 is mentioned in two places, and 1st Jan 2023 in two places. I was working towards the former, have just seen the latter! Thank you. ---- Hi Susan, the date is 31st Jan 2023. Our Short Story competition starts on the 1st Jan 2023.

JOHN SIKO
14th November 2022

Can flash fiction be sent as a word attachment? ----- Hi John. Yes, we have a free word doc template on our competition page you can download and use if you want to.

Dwayne
8th November 2022

Hello, I am really keen to get started on submitting and entry, I just wanted confirmation on genre. A lot of my stories do contain vampires, werewolves and other supernatural creatures in a realistic fantasy setting. When you say you don't want 'Sexy Vampires and Werewolves' is that specifically for the drawn-out trope that bear that name, or all genres tied to Vamps and Lycans? Kind regards. ------- Hi Dwayne, as long as your stories are more scary than romantic, we'll accept them.

Martie Carlson
5th November 2022

I'm very excited about entering your contest. It will be so much fun. ----- Hi Martie, we look forward to reading your story.

Don Broyles
1st November 2022

Hello: I just borrowed "Down a Dark Path: Sinister Tales of Supernatural Horror", by Paul J. Jackson, using my Kindle Unlimited subscription [U.S.]. Can this title be used to count toward a purchase? And also, if I show this on the Amazon CONTENT & DEVICES page that this title has been borrowed? Thank you, Don Broyles --------- Hi Don, thank for your question. For a borrowed book to be counted towards a purchase, it has to be read completely for amazon to class it as a sale with no skimming through the pages. This takes time. We would need you to purchase a book outright because the sale is instant and can be attached to your entry. Regards, Pulp Fictional.

Sally Curtis
28th September 2022

Is it possible for me to use my brother's account (with his permission) to pay the entry as our surnames are the same? ---- Hi Sally, yes that will be fine but, having purchased an ebook, can you send the amazon confirmation email with your story attached to that, instead of the paypal one to, submissions@pulpfictional.com

Sally Curtis
17th September 2022

Excited to find a place where all types of scary stories are welcome. Will definitely be entering the Flash Fiction competition - just doing some polishing. ----- Hi Sally, we look forward to reading your story.

Brian Hadlington
7th September 2022

I have entered your flash contest but have other stories I'd like to submit. Is there a discount for second entries? ----- Hi Brian, good question. We were already thinking of a reduced fee of £6.00 for additional entries, so yes, go on then.

Mike Creese
9th August 2022

Pleased to see your competition. I am all for it. Good luck. ----- Thanks, Mike. We look forward to reading your stories.

Delphine
5th August 2022

Hello, please add me to your mailing list. I'd love to enter both competitions. ---- Hi Delphine, glad to know you're entering our competitions. Our Flash competition has already started and the Short Story one will begin in Jan 2023. You will need to get back to us and leave your email address.

Rachael Kelly
1st August 2022

Hiya, do I just add my bio at the top of the paypal email I'm forwarding to you? ----- Hi Rachael, yes please.

Robert P
27th July 2022

Count me in. When does the short story contest start? ----- Hi Robert, we are planning to start it as soon as the Flash competition ends. Glad you're entering.

Josephine Andersen
16th July 2022

I would like to be on your mailing list for information about Flash Fiction and Short story competitions. I live in Cape Town South Africa. I might like to enter one of your competitions. Thank you Josephine Andersen ------ We have you on our mailing list. Our first competition starts on 1st August 2022.

Christine Reeves
16th July 2022

I am part of a writing group who prefer to write flash fiction and short stories. I regularly send out details of competitions they can enter as well as submissions for online magazines. I will send out details of your competitions in due course. As a writer myself I have had limited success with my own stories. ---- Thank you, Christine. We hope you enter one of our competitions.

Roger
15th July 2022

Great news about your up coming contest. Count me in. ----- Thank you, Roger.