There's still time for your story

The deadline for entering the Chalk Circle Short Story Competition 2026 is fast approaching. Not got your entry in yet? Don't worry we're open to submissions until 31st August so there's still time for your story.

We've had an amazing response so far, with more entries than we dared to hope for. New stories are arriving every day - from all over the world - and we can't wait to read them!

So wherever you are - on your summer break or back at work, chilling by the sea or bossing the city - there's still time to get involved. What can you see? What can you hear? Do you have a new tale to tell? Or do you have a secret folder full of stories you haven't dared to share yet? Go on, we dare you!

Is it true that today's readers prefer slim fiction to more time-consuming reads?

At Chalk Circle we have always been fans of short works. Concise, dramatic writing with an engaging plot. Basically good storytelling. Send us your own engaging slim fiction. You could win a cash prize and see your story published on our website. 

There are two categories on offer.

Chalk Circle 1500 - a conventional format with a 1,500 word limit. 

Chalk Circle 360 - a circular flash fiction that ends where it began using exactly 360 words (excluding the title).

Any subject or genre (except children's fiction) is suitable. Judges are looking for good story telling above all else. The prize money is £200 for the Chalk Circle 1500 and £50 for the Chalk Circle 360. Entry fees are £10 and £5 respectively.

For more information go to our Competition Page and remember to also check the Competition Rules and How to enter.