Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize

The Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize is awarded to an original work of fiction under 2000 words.

The competition is organized by Desperate Literature, an international bookshop in Madrid, Spain.

“ The aim of the Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize is both to celebrate the best of new short fiction and to give winners the most visibility possible for their writing. That’s why we’ve teamed up with fifteen different literary and artistic institutions to offer not only a cash prize and writing retreats but to ensure that all our shortlisters have the opportunity to be published in multiple print and online journals, have their work put in front of literary agents, and perform in multiple countries.

Submissions must be in English.

Entries must NOT have been previously published.

Shortlist Judges: Tiffany Tsao, Mariana Enríquez, Ottessa Moshfegh.

First Prize:

– €2000
– A week’s residency at the Civitella Ranieri Foundation.
– A consultation with Literary Agent Charlotte Seymour from Johnson & Alcock.
– A manuscript assessment and follow-up meeting with a literary editor from The Literary Consultancy.

Runner-up Prizes:

– €1000 (two prizes available).

All Shortlisted Writers:

– Will be published in a truly smashing, limited edition book published by ourselves truly and launched at the Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize Salon, Madrid.
– Publication with one of our partner journals: Helter Skelter, The London Magazine, Prototype, gorse, Tenement, Kill Your Darlings, Minor Literature[s], The Second Shelf.
– Participation in Desperate Literature Prize events at Desperate Literature, Madrid and Burley Fisher, London.†

†Events depend upon availability at host establishment, please read
our eligibility & conditions for more details.

All Longlisted Writers:

– Will receive one year’s access to The Literary Consultancy’s ‘Being a Writer’ platform.

One Shortlisted Writer: 

– Will be offered a two-week residency at Studio Faire, France.

FULL DETAILS OF ENTRY FEES AND DEADLINES BELOW

*to see how the prize is funded, read all the prize details, see entry conditions and to assess your eligibility, please read our eligibility & conditions.

All Shortlisted Writers:

– Will be published in a truly smashing, limited edition book published by ourselves truly and launched at the Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize Salon, Madrid
– Publication with one of our partner journals: Helter Skelter, The London Magazine, Open Pen, Prototype, Hotel, Kill Your Darlings, Minor Literature[s]
– Participation in Desperate Literature Prize Salons (Salons, no less) at Desperate Literature, Madrid; Burley Fisher, London; Typewronger Books, Edinburgh;†

Entry fees 
€20 for the first entry
€10 for each subsequent entry

Deadline for application for a sponsored place:
April 1st 2024

Contact:
prize@desperateliterature.com

website: Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize 2023 – Desperate Literature