Bristol Short Story Prize

Submissions for the 2026 prize year are now closed. The 2027 prize will open again in autumn 2026. Our judges are now reading, and the competition timeline is as follows: Longlist announcement: March 2026 Shortlist announcement: April 2026 Winners announcement: June 2026, at the Writer’s Day event at the University of Bristol

Submissions for the 2026 prize year are now closed.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who entered this year’s competition. We are extremely grateful for the time, care, and creativity that went into each story.

Keep an eye on our website and socials for announcements!

The Bristol Short Story Prize 2026 closes for submissions on 31st January at 22:59.

You have 1 day, 8 hours (And counting) left to Submit your short story here:
bssp.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/entry-form/

Best of luck to all the writers who’ve entered!

Cover designs:

- Vol 2 by Sam Bevington
- Vol 3 by Gaby Selby
- Vol4 by Claire Shorrock
- Vol 6 by Emily Nash
- Vol 8 by Imogen Clifton
- Vol 11 by Valentina Vinci
- Vol 12 by Naomi Clarke
- Vol 15 Martyna Gradziel
- The Winners edition by Sarah Scyner

9 Volumes of the Bristol Short Story Prize Anthology are laid out on a table showing thew front covers. The volumes are: - Vol 2 - Vol 3 - Vol4 - Vol 6 - Vol 8 - Vol 11 - Vol 12 - Vol 15 - The Winners edition

The Bristol Short Story prize anthology has had some spectacular covers over the years. Here’s just a small selection!

Which one is your favourite?

There are 4 days left to enter your short story into the competition. Shortlisted stories will be published in our 2026 anthology!

There’s one week left to enter the Bristol Short Story Prize!

The competition closes on 31st January at 11:59PM GMT

Here is the link to enter: bssp.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/entry-form/

Pale pick background with photo of Stephen Narain. Text underneath reads: Success stories: Stephen Narain A huge congratulations to Stephen Narain, whose novel, The Church of Mastery, was recently awarded the 2025 Restless Books Kellman Prize! The Church of Mastery will be published in 2027. Stephen was the winner of the 2020 Bristol Short Story Prize with his story, What In Me Is Dark, Illumine, which is published in our Volume 13 anthology by Tangent books.

Success stories: Stephen Narain.
A huge congratulations to Stephen Narain, whose novel, The Church of Mastery, was recently awarded the 2025 Restless Books Kellman Prize!
The Church of Mastery will be published in 2027.

Read more about Stephen’s writer journey here:

news.miami.edu/as/stories/2...

Black text on a pale green background reads: "There are lots of ways to remember that day; the day I became a bird.' Kakahu, by Stephanie Seddon Winner of the BSSP 2016, Volume 9. "The jungle gym was a gift from Richard Turnbull to his little stepdaughter, two weeks before his plane went down on a private flight from Cleveland to Colorado' Cowboy Boot, by Dizz Tate Winner of the BSSP 2018, Volume 11. "The revolutionary did not look like a "revolutionary"' What In Me Is Dark, Illumine, by Stephen Narain Winner of the BSSP 2020, Volume 13.

Two weeks until the BSSP 2026 closes!

With two weeks left until the Bristol Short Story Prize 2026 closes for submissions, let’s look back at the first lines of some winners from previous years.

Do you have a great first line?

Happy new year writers!

There is still time to enter into the Bristol Short Story Competition!

We have a number of free entry options available for those on low income or without paid employment.

Here is the link to enter: bssp.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/entry-form/

Agent and competition news: Redfern Jon Barrett!

Congratulations @redfernjon.bsky.social on 1st runner up in the Leapfrog Prize and on your agent representation!

@annewilkins.bsky.social

Writer success: Anne Wilkins!

Read more about Anne’s story in this interview with Kandisha Press:

kandishapress.com/2025/10/11/a...

Meet our 2026 judges: Michael Kalisch!

www.bristol.ac.uk/people/perso...

Meet our 2026 Judges: Zakiya McKenzie!

Meet our 2026 judges: Claire Carroll!

Meet our 2026 Judges: Celeste Mohammed!

Meet the first of our 2026 Judges, Daisy Johnson!

Read about all our judges here: bssp.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/judges/

We’re open

We’re open for submissions!
Closing date 31st January.

Visit our website to read our submission rules, register your entry, and check out our amazing judges:

bssp.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/rules/

The Bristol Short Story Prize will officially re-open next week!

Writers, get ready - you can submit your short stories from the 19th November. All info on our website (link in bio).

The Bristol Short Story Prize will officially re-open next week!

Writers, get ready - you can submit your short stories from the 19th November. All info on our website (link in bio).

Image of the Bristol Short Story Prize Logo, a drawing of a person with long hair and trousers writing on a piece of paper, and a drawing of a quill pen. The text on the image says 'Coming Soon' and 'Stay tuned for an important update!!'

We've been sitting on a very special announcement, and we can't wait to share it with you. Writers - get ready, and stay tuned for updates!

Prize | The Novelry Enter The Next Big Story prize at The Novelry for a chance to win $100,000 (£75,000 U.K.). Eight shortlisted entrants will receive The Finished Novel Course. Opens May 1, 2025. Closes July 31, 2025. T...

Are you working on the next big story?

Don't miss out on The Novelry's latest competition. Submit 3 pages of your manuscript for the chance to win £75,000.

Details here: bit.ly/3IikrqN

#writingcomps #novels #iamwriting

Congratulations to this year's winners and to all the writers featured in the Volume 17 anthology.

Read all their stories: bit.ly/4l0zhk8

@zoemeager.bsky.social @morrislau78.bsky.social
#writing #shortstories #writingcompetitions

Local to Bristol?

Don't miss the 2025 Bristol Short Story Prize Anthology Launch and Winners' Reception tomorrow, June 28th, at Waterstones, Bristol - Galleries.

Get your free ticket here: bit.ly/3TIoQFU

#writingprize #shortstoryprize

Hurt from tragedy and haunted by bullies, ‘Washing Instructions for Delicate Fabric’ follows a young girl as she tries to fit into a life that wasn't made for her.

📚 @annewilkins.bsky.social's story features in our upcoming anthology. Learn more and meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB

It wasn’t part of the plan. In fact, you didn’t even think it was possible… not at your age. But it happened and now an impossible decision sits before you.

📚 Catch Debra's affecting story in our 2025 anthology & meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB

They’re back! They might not look the same, but that doesn’t matter. All that matters is the chance for more time. A compelling story about loss, reincarnation and letting go.

📚 Read Becky’s story in our anthology and meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB

In the aftermath of a devastating fire, rescue crews search for survivors, while a young girl searches for hope in the darkness.

📚 Jillian’s story joins our next anthology. Learn more and meet all our shortlisted authors: bit.ly/4dZRhIB

It’s the morning of the Olympic 100m sprint, a historic day in the making, and yet life goes on. ‘1992’ immerses us in the daily lives of a family just doing their best.

📚 Look for S-L’s story in our upcoming anthology and meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB

Fran seems destined to a life running the family business – Dikes’ Gas & Goods – until a late-night customer makes her question everything.

📚 Louis’s mysterious story features in our upcoming anthology. Learn more and meet all our shortlisted authors: bit.ly/4dZRhIB

‘How to Lose a Sister’ is a deeply emotional story about grief, learning to live with it and learning that life can still be beautiful.

📚 Read Issie’s story in our new anthology. Find out more and meet all our shortlisted writers: bit.ly/4dZRhIB