Desperate Literature Prize for Short Fiction

The aim of the Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize is both to celebrate the best of new short fiction and to give winners the most visibility possible for their writing. That’s why we’ve teamed up with fifteen different literary and artistic institutions to offer not only a cash prize and writing retreats but 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 perform in multiple countries.

Along with recent additions of
an increased winners package, a second residency,
a spot at the Georgia literary festival
and more sponsored entries

In 2022 we have added a long-form manuscript assessment
and one-hour ‘writers surgery’ with The Literary Consultancy

You’ll obviously still get published in a limited edition book collecting the shortlisted pieces.
Lastly, thank you to everybody who has entered and is interested in entering our prize.
The proceeds are the reason we have survived these past years and continue to survive Covid-19!

The Desperate Literature Short Fiction Prize adheres to CLMP’s Contest Code of Ethics

ENTER HERE