Story Unlikely Short Story Contest - Fiction
(Nonfiction)
Description
Note: remove identifying information from manuscript for anonymous judging.
Note: Suggest that potential submitters read their about page: https://www.storyunlikely.com/#ourstory
There are no restrictions on genre: fantasy, sci fi, memoir, fiction/nonfiction, etc - we don't care as long as it's a good story.
Note: Suggest that potential submitters read their about page: https://www.storyunlikely.com/#ourstory
There are no restrictions on genre: fantasy, sci fi, memoir, fiction/nonfiction, etc - we don't care as long as it's a good story.
This market is temporarily closed.
Submitting to this market is tied to subscription to a promotional newsletter: either they will subscribe you to the newsletter when you submit, or you must be a subscriber to submit.
Market Submission Schedule
- Submission Window - Oct 14, 2026 thru Jan 14, 2027 (Begins 122 days from now)
Market Genres
Genres
FantasyGeneral
Humor
Science Fiction
Market Types, Lengths & Pay Scale
Originals
Flash
0 to 1000 words
8 cents/word
Short Story
1000 to 7000 words
8 cents/word
Reprints
Flash
0 to 1000 words
2 cents/word
Short Story
1000 to 7000 words
2 cents/word
Market Submission Types
AI Submissions?: Not Allowed
Electronic Submissions?: Yes
Postal Submissions?: No
Multiple Submissions?: No
Simultaneous Submissions?: No
Translations: Original Language Only
Electronic Submissions?: Yes
Postal Submissions?: No
Multiple Submissions?: No
Simultaneous Submissions?: No
Translations: Original Language Only
Market-Provided Data
This section can be updated by a representative of the publication. To add a representative, the publication should contact us to request it (no cost).
Market Response Data (User-Reported)
View recent responses from this market
This statistical information is an aggregation of submission data provided by our members. The more data we have the more accurate our
numbers will be so please be sure to log all of your submissions here and not just your rejections or acceptances.
numbers will be so please be sure to log all of your submissions here and not just your rejections or acceptances.
Count:
There are 25 completed reports in the past 12 months.
Averages and Boundaries:
Min: 72 | Average: 144.26 | Median: 151 | Max: 225
Responded:
60.00%
Accepted:
12.00% - avg 157 days
Rejected:
48.00% - avg 141 days
(16.66% of rejections are personal)
Rewrites:
-
Dead Letters:
36.00%
Lost/Returned:
-
Never Responded:
36.00%
Withdrawn:
4.00%
Pending:
There are 9 pending responses.
(149 min | 175.55 average | 161 median | 242 max days waiting)
Note: pending statistics may skew high if some users neglect their data.
We recommend querying after the time the market suggests to query.
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Listing added: 18 October 2021
Last officially checked: 15 October 2025