Write Catalyst — Open Submissions
Your Words Deserve
to Be Read
We publish fiction and nonfiction that explores the inner life of the writer — the psychology, craft, intuition, and courage it takes to create.
Recognized by Kindlepreneur as one of the best writing contests to enter.
Annual Fiction Competition
Open for submissionsWrite Catalyst
Short Story Contest 2026
We welcome original short fiction across all genres. Our blind judging process ensures every story is evaluated purely on its merits. Winners receive cash prizes, publication, and a full membership to the Write Catalyst community.
Submission Deadline
July 22, 2026 · 8:00 PM EDT
Winners Announced
October 22, 2026
Entry Fee
$5.00 per entry
Word Count
1,000 – 5,000 words
Genre
Open genre
Judging
Blind (anonymous)
Format
Classic Shunn
Top Prize
$100 + Publication
Prizes
🥇 First Place
$100
- Gift card or cash
- Publication on the Write Catalyst blog
- Promotion across all social media channels
- Free 1-year membership — writing group + app
🥈 Second Place
$50
- Gift card or cash
- Publication on the Write Catalyst blog
- Promotion across all social media channels
- Free 1-year membership — writing group + app
🥉 Third Place
$25
- Gift card or cash
- Publication on the Write Catalyst blog
- Promotion across all social media channels
- Free 1-year app membership
Eligibility & Requirements
- Open to writers worldwide, 18 years of age and older
- Word count: 1,000–5,000 words (inclusive)
- Genre: Open — literary, speculative, thriller, romance, mystery, and more are welcome
- Work must be original and previously unpublished (including personal blogs or social media)
- Work must not be under consideration elsewhere at the time of submission
- Multiple entries permitted — each requires a separate $5 entry fee
- Author name must not appear anywhere in the manuscript (blind judging)
- Submit using Classic Shunn manuscript format (see formatting section below)
- Accepted file formats: .docx or .doc; one file per entry
Ongoing Nonfiction Submissions
Always openWrite for
Write Catalyst
We publish essays, articles, and practical guides for fiction writers who want to understand themselves as deeply as they understand their craft. We pay $25 on acceptance, and accepted work is published on the Write Catalyst website and featured in our newsletter to over 1,200 subscribers.
What We Publish
We're looking for articles that sit at the intersection of psychology, creativity, and the lived experience of writing fiction. Think less "tips and tricks," more insight and transformation. We want pieces that make a writer feel genuinely seen.
Writing Psychology
Neuroscience and psychology applied to fiction writing — how the writer's mind works, and how to work with it.
Flow & Intuition
Getting into flow state, harnessing intuition for creativity, and accessing the unconscious in your writing.
Authentic Voice
Writing true to yourself, finding and trusting your voice, and resisting the pressure to write for the market.
Writer Identity
Becoming a person who accomplishes their writing dreams — identity, habits, mindset, and self-concept.
Literary Critique
Analysis of fiction through a psychological or creative lens. What makes a story work — and why it matters.
Craft Articles
Practical, grounded guidance on the craft of fiction — from sentence-level technique to structural storytelling.
Book Reviews
Reviews of books on writing, creativity, and the creative life. Must be relevant to fiction writers.
Submission Requirements
- Word count: 1,000–2,500 words
- Work must be original and not published elsewhere, including your own blog or social media
- Work must not be under simultaneous consideration at another publication
- Submit as a .docx or .doc file; 12pt Times New Roman, double-spaced
- Include your full name, email address, and a short bio (50–100 words) in the body of your submission email
- A brief pitch or summary paragraph is welcome but not required
- We read all submissions and respond to every query
Rights: We acquire first worldwide rights (print and digital). Rights revert to the author after publication. You are free to republish with a credit to Write Catalyst as the original publisher.
Response time: We aim to respond to all nonfiction submissions within 4–6 weeks.
Manuscript Formatting
Formatting Guidelines
Proper formatting helps our editorial process and ensures your work is evaluated fairly. Please follow these guidelines carefully before submitting.
Short Story Contest
All contest entries must use Classic Shunn manuscript format — the professional standard for fiction submission:
- 12pt Courier or Times New Roman
- Double-spaced throughout
- 1-inch margins on all sides
- Header with title and page number (top right)
- No author name in the file (blind submission)
- Scene breaks: # centered on its own line
Nonfiction Articles
- 12pt Times New Roman
- Double-spaced
- 1-inch margins on all sides
- Author name and contact at top of first page
- Section headers welcome for longer articles
- Citations or source links inline or as endnotes
- File format: .docx preferred
Rights & Payment — Full Disclosure
What We Ask For,
What You Keep
We believe in full transparency with every contributor. Here is exactly what rights we acquire and when payment is made.
Short Story Contest
- Winners receive cash or gift card prizes as described above
- Winning and shortlisted stories may be published on the Write Catalyst website and newsletter
- Authors retain full copyright to their work
- Write Catalyst will be credited as original publisher
- Entry fees are non-refundable
- Submitting does not transfer rights — rights are affected only upon formal acceptance and publication
Nonfiction Articles
- Rights acquired: First worldwide rights, print and digital
- Payment: $25 USD upon acceptance
- Rights revert to the author after publication
- You may republish freely with a credit line to Write Catalyst
- We will not alter your work substantially without consulting you
- We do not take rights upon submission — only upon formal acceptance
Ready to Submit?
Send Us
Your Work
Short Story Contest
Submit via our secure submissions form. You will be prompted to pay the $5 entry fee and upload your manuscript. Your name must not appear in the manuscript file.
Deadline: July 22, 2026 at 8:00 PM EDT
Submit Your Story →Nonfiction Articles
Send your article as a .docx attachment to our submissions email. Include your bio and contact information in the body of the email. We accept submissions on a rolling basis year-round.
Submit to: submissions@writecatalyst.com
Submit Your Article →