SHORT FICTION CONTEST

2026 CONTEST OVERVIEW

• Submissions Open: JUL/01/2026

• Submissions Close: OCT/01/2026

• Finalists Announced: NOV/06/2026

• Winner Announced: DEC/18/2026

• Contest Judge: Zak Jones

PRIZES​

• Winner: $350 (CAD), publication on MoonLitGetaway.com and in Harvest Moon, Volume Three (September 2027)

• Runner-Up (x2): publication on MoonLitGetaway.com and in Harvest Moon, Volume Three (September 2027)

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​SUBMISSION ELIGIBILITY AND GUIDELINES​

• Work must be previously unpublished (previous publication includes any appearance in print or online, including magazines, anthologies, chapbooks, books, websites, blogs, social media, newspapers, newsletters, etc.).

• We do not accept AI-generated content.

• Max word count: 2,500

• File format: .docx only

• Manuscripts must be in Times New Roman, 12-point font, double-spaced, and paginated. 

• Entrant’s name must not appear on the short story manuscript.

• Simultaneous submissions are accepted, however we asked to be notified immediately if the submission is accepted elsewhere. 

  • Refunds are not provided for withdrawn submissions.

  • If a submission is shortlisted, the author will be asked to withdraw all simultaneous submissions to other publications. All shortlisted submissions not selected as the winner or a runner up will be offered online publication on MoonLitGetaway.com.  

• Multiple submissions are accepted, but each must be made as a separate submission with a separate payment.

• Submissions must be made online, through our website, via the appropriate forms.​

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All entries will be considered for regular publication.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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Entries that do not follow contest guidelines will be disqualified, regardless of when the ineligibility is discovered in the process of adjudication.

The entry fee for a disqualified submission will not be refunded.

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SELECTION

• MoonLit Getaway's editorial team selects and forwards a shortlist to the contest judge. 

• The contest judge selects a winner and two runners-up. 

• Entrant's anonymity is preserved throughout the selection process.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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RIGHTS

MoonLit Getaway acquires First North American Serial Rights for the work we publish. All rights revert back to the author upon publication. ​​