The aim of the Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize is both to celebrate the best of new short fiction under 2000 words and to give winners the most visibility possible for their writing.
That’s why we’ve teamed up with sixteen different literary and artistic institutions to not only offer cash prizes and writing retreats but also 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 present their stories at an event.
Open to all writers (with or without an agent, published or previously unpublished) aged over 18 at the time of submission.
This year's judges are Claire-Louise Bennett, Ottessa Moshfegh and Joanna Walsh.
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 with The Literary Consultancy.
– An annual Reedsy Learning membership.
Runner-up Prizes:
– €1000 (two prizes available).
– A consultation with Literary Agent Charlotte Seymour from Johnson & Alcock.
Plus opportunities for Shortlisted and Longlisted Writers.
Entry fee:
€20 for the first entry / €10 for every further entry (max. of five entries per person)
Sponsored entries available
Find out more
here
Deadline: April 19 2026, 23:59 CEST