Short Fiction Break

Break From Reality. Daily.

  • Stories
  • About
  • Staff
  • Writing Contests
    • Current Writing Contest
    • Past Contests
      • 2024 Fall Writing Contest
      • 2024 Spring Writing Contest
      • 2023 Writing Contest
      • Fall 2022
      • Spring 2022 Contest
      • 10th Anniversary Contest
      • Spring 2021 Contest
      • Fall 2020 Contest
      • Summer 2020 Contest
      • Summer 2019 Contest
      • Fall 2018 Contest
      • Summer 2018 Contest
      • Spring 2018 Contest
      • Winter 2017 Contest
      • Fall 2017 Contest
      • Summer 2017 Contest
      • Spring 2017 Contest
      • Winter 2016 Contest
      • 5th Anniversary Contest
  • Submit

2025 Fall Writing Contest

Short Fiction Break is partnering with The Write Practice to host a new writing contest in which everyone gets published.

2025 Fall Writing Contest The Write Practice

2025 Fall Writing Contest

We’re inviting all writers to write a new story inspired by the theme of our contest; workshop it in The Write Practice community, our partner writing community; and submit it for publication here at Short Fiction Break. You can check out the contest details here.

All writers who participate may be published if they choose!

Maximum length: 1,500 words

Contest theme: Buried Truths. Some secrets don’t stay buried. Whether unearthed by force, accident, or intention, the truth has a way of coming to light, and when it does, everything changes. This contest invites you to explore what happens when the past refuses to stay hidden. Maybe your character reveals a truth. Maybe someone else does. Maybe it just slips out. What matters is how that revelation shifts the story and the lives of your characters. And what choices follow.

Enrollment deadline: To participate, you must enroll for the contest by October 28.

Submission Deadlines: Your story will be due for workshopping on November 4. Your final submission is due November 11.

Sign up for the contest here.

MEET THE JUDGES

Learn more about the judges below and consider hiring them to help with your next writing project.

Jake Strife is the prolific author of more than twenty-six scifi, fantasy, and horror novels. From zombies to hilarious fantasy worlds he’s crafted a multiverse of several series that cross time and space to battle for existence itself. Other credits include Certified Book Coach, screenwriter, character designer, and professional Game Master. Work with Jake.

Julia Raffel is a writer and Write Practice certified book coach. She follows story magic wherever it takes her, traveling to new countries and exciting locations to fill her creative well. When at home, she spends her days with her demon cat, Oreo, who has a continuous hunger for flesh, and her Pitbull husky mix, Willow, who is more shark than dog most days. Once construction is complete you can connect with her at juliaraffelauthor.com or on her instagram account: @official.juliaraf. Work with Julia.

Thanks for all your hard work judges!

SPONSORS

The prizes for this contest are provided by The Write Practice. The Write Practice guides aspiring writers to become published authors through our transformational coaching programs and community. Contest participants receive six weeks’ access to the workshopping community to get feedback on their short stories, novel chapters, and other writing pieces. You can learn more and join here.

Top Stories

A Tricky Thing

...

Read More »

Merry Christopher

...

Read More »

Even Hell Has Angels

...

Read More »

Still Friends

...

Read More »

Pool Day

...

Read More »

Resources for Writers

The Write Practice | The Write Shop
Let’s Write a Short Story | Character Test Podcast | Point of View Guide | Best Software for Writers | How to Publish a Short Story

Best of Short Fiction Break

Suspense Short Stories | Magical Realism Short Stories | More Coming Soon

Story Ideas

Short Story Ideas | Mystery Story Ideas | Romance Story Ideas | Thriller Story Ideas | Fantasy Story Ideas | Sci-fi Story Ideas

CONTACT || PUBLICATION RIGHTS || Copyright © 2025