Deadline: November 1, 2025
The Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2026 is now open for submissions! This prestigious annual award celebrates the best unpublished short fiction from across the Commonwealth, offering writers the chance to gain international recognition, significant cash prizes, and publication opportunities.
Whether you are an emerging or established writer, the prize provides a global platform to showcase your work and connect with readers worldwide.
About the Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2026
Administered by the Commonwealth Foundation, the prize is one of the most respected literary competitions for unpublished short fiction. It is free to enter and open to citizens of Commonwealth countries, as well as stateless persons who are residents of a Commonwealth nation.
The competition welcomes entries in English and multiple other languages, reflecting the cultural and linguistic diversity of the Commonwealth. Winning stories are published in Granta and adda, giving authors international exposure.
Key Dates and Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1 September 2025 | Submissions open |
| 1 November 2025 | Submission deadline (11:59 PM GMT) |
| April 2026 | Shortlist announced (approximate) |
| May 2026 | Regional winners announced |
| June 2026 | Overall winner announced |
| 1 May 2026 | Stories must remain unpublished until this date |
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2026:
- You must be a Commonwealth citizen or a stateless person resident in a Commonwealth country.
- You must be aged 18 or above on 1 November 2025.
- Only one story per entrant is allowed.
- The story must be original, unpublished, and remain so until 1 May 2026 (self-publication on a personal website/blog is allowed).
- Stories must be between 2,000 and 5,000 words (excluding title).
Submission Guidelines
- Format: Stories must be uploaded as a PDF (preferred) or Word document.
- File Naming: File name should be the title of the story only.
- Anonymity: Do not include your name or personal details in the document.
- Style: Use Arial, font size 12, double-spaced, with numbered pages.
- Language: Entries are accepted in English, as well as several other Commonwealth languages (with translations permitted under specific rules).
- Translations: If a translated story wins, both the author and the translator (who must also be a Commonwealth citizen) will receive a prize.
Judging Process
- Entries are reviewed by an international panel of judges representing the five Commonwealth regions: Africa, Asia, Canada & Europe, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.
- Judges will create a shortlist of around 25 stories.
- From the shortlist, five regional winners will be chosen.
- An overall winner will then be selected from among the five.
Prize Awards
- Overall Winner: £5,000
- Regional Winners: £2,500 each
- Translated Stories: Translators of winning stories also receive prize money.
- Publication: Regional winning stories will be published in Granta, while shortlisted stories appear in adda, the Commonwealth Foundation’s literary platform.
Why Enter?
- Gain international recognition for your writing.
- Access a global readership through respected literary publications.
- Be part of one of the most prestigious free short story competitions in the world.
- Celebrate and contribute to the diverse voices of the Commonwealth.
Application
📌 Deadline: 1 November 2025, at 11:59 PM GMT
👉 Click here to Apply
👉 Read more about the Programme
💡 Need help preparing your entry?
Contact us for proposal drafting, refining and review to ensure your story meets all the requirements and stands out to the judges.
