EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: 2026 Next Generation Short Story Awards

The Next Generation Short Story Awards is a not-for-profit awards program open to authors writing original unpublished short stories in English. 

Submissions accepted: Short stories and poems (5,000 words or less)

Categories: 30+

Deadline: February 26, 2026

Winners’ Prizes: Winners in each category receive $75 cash prizes, gold medals, digital stickers, social media coverage, literary exposure, story publication in an Anthology of Winners, and a complimentary copy of the Anthology of Winners. Three Grand Prize Winners will be selected from all entries and awarded $500 for 1st Prize, $300 for 2nd Prize and $200 for 3rd Prize and will be invited to attend the Next Generation Indie Book Awards gala ceremony.

Finalists’ Benefits: Finalists in each category are given digital stickers, literary exposure, and author’s name and title of story mentioned in the Anthology of Winners. A copy of the Anthology of Winners is available to purchase at half price and silver medals are available to order.

Enter at: www.shortstoryawards.com 

The Short Story Awards is offering an Early Bird Special discount for the month of October. Enter and pay by October 31, 2025, to receive your second category for free!