The Eye Contact Prize in Genre Fiction / Submit
Eye Contact Prize in Genre Flash Fiction 2026: Win $250 for a 1,000-Word Fantasy Story
Writers who enjoy crafting short, imaginative stories have an exciting opportunity to showcase their talent through the Eye Contact Prize in Genre Flash Fiction. Organized by the Eye Contact Magazine, this contest invites writers from around the world to submit a flash fiction story of 1,000 words or fewer for a chance to win $250 and publication.
Unlike traditional literary contests that focus only on literary realism, this prize celebrates genre storytelling—the kind of thrilling, imaginative narratives commonly found in bestselling novels, films, and television.
About the Contest
The flash fiction prize was launched in 2022 to encourage short-form storytelling in popular genres. Each issue of the magazine randomly pairs a genre with a special theme, challenging writers to craft a creative piece that blends both elements.
For the Spring 2026 competition, the requirements are:
- Theme: Symphony
- Genre: Fantasy
- Word Limit: 1,000 words maximum
- Deadline: March 31, 2026
- Prize: $250 cash prize (or equivalent gift card)
Stories should combine the musical theme of “Symphony” with the imaginative possibilities of fantasy fiction.
Who Can Submit to the Eye Contact Prize?
The contest is open to all writers. An all-student editorial staff evaluates submissions through a blind judging process, ensuring fairness and anonymity.
The magazine will automatically consider all eligible stories that follow its submission rules for the prize.
Even if a story does not win the main prize, it may still:
- Be published in the magazine, or
- Receive runner-up recognition
Submission Guidelines for the Eye Contact Prize
To qualify for the prize, writers must follow the magazine’s standard guidelines.
Key requirements include:
- Stories must be 1,000 words or fewer
- Submissions must follow the magazine’s official submission rules
- Entries must fit both the assigned genre and theme
- Stories will be blind-reviewed by editors
For detailed submission instructions, visit the magazine’s official submission guidelines page.
Past Winners
Since its launch, the Eye Contact Prize has recognized several standout flash fiction writers across multiple genres:
- Fall 2022 – “Decay”: Beck Scassellati (Crime) – Dumb in Love
- Spring 2023 – “Growth”: Timothy Saenz (Science Fiction) – Cyberkarma
- 2023–2024 Mega Issue: Kaity Blackman (Horror) – Carrara
- Fall 2024 – “Innocence”: Shannon Frost Greenstein (Romance) – Dralion
- Spring 2025 – “Experience”: Chris Sadhill (Historical Fiction) – When the Sun Goes Down
The Spring 2026 winner will join this growing list of emerging flash fiction writers.
About the Sponsor
The prize is sponsored by Seton Hill University and its MFA program in Writing Popular Fiction, which focuses on genres such as:
- Fantasy
- Romance
- Mystery
- Science Fiction
- Horror
- Young Adult fiction
Deadline: 31st March, 2026
Students in the program complete a full-length novel as part of their graduate studies.
