Kenyon Review Short Fiction Contest: Rules, Prizes, and How Emerging Writers Can Apply
Updated: Aug 18
The Kenyon Review Short Fiction Contest is one of the most respected competitions for emerging writers of fiction, offering a high-profile platform to showcase new literary voices. Open exclusively to writers who have not yet published a book, the contest has earned a reputation as a career-launching opportunity. Past winners and finalists have gone on to secure literary agents, book contracts, and appearances in other leading journals, making it a coveted prize for aspiring authors.
A Prestigious Writing Opportunity for New Voices
Hosted by The Kenyon Review, a journal consistently ranked among the most prestigious literary publications in the United States, the contest draws submissions from writers worldwide. Each year, thousands of entries are judged by established authors—past judges have included acclaimed writers such as Hilary Mantel, Louise Erdrich, and Ann Patchett—ensuring that winners are selected by leaders in the field.
Winners receive publication in The Kenyon Review, a cash prize, and the kind of professional recognition that can help shape a literary career. For many early-career authors, being featured in The Kenyon Review not only validates their work but also places them directly on the radar of agents, editors, and publishers. The contest’s emphasis on emerging talent makes it one of the few venues where unpublished writers can earn a credential with significant industry weight.
Submission Guidelines and Eligibility
The Kenyon Review Short Fiction Contest is designed specifically for writers at the beginning of their careers. Eligibility is limited to those who have not yet published a full-length book of fiction at the time of submission, ensuring that the contest remains a true platform for emerging voices. Each entrant may submit one short story of up to 1,200 words, a strict limit that challenges writers to demonstrate precision, narrative control, and impact within a compressed form.
The contest is held annually, with the submission window typically opening in early January and closing in mid-February. Stories must be submitted electronically through the contest’s online portal, and simultaneous submissions are generally permitted as long as writers promptly withdraw their entry if it is accepted elsewhere.
Prizes and Recognition
The first-place winner receives a cash prize along with publication in The Kenyon Review, one of the most respected literary journals in the United States. This publishing credit is widely regarded as a career milestone, often leading to increased visibility among agents, editors, and other literary publications.
In addition to the grand prize, runners-up and finalists may receive honorable mentions and recognition through The Kenyon Review’s platforms, expanding their visibility within the literary community. Many past winners have leveraged the contest as a stepping stone to secure book contracts, representation, and future awards, underscoring its reputation as a launchpad for new talent.
A Launchpad for Literary Careers
The Kenyon Review Short Fiction Contest has earned a reputation as a genuine career accelerator for emerging writers. Many past winners and finalists have gone on to publish books with leading presses, place stories in prestigious journals, and secure literary representation.
For example, Melinda Moustakis, winner of the 2008 contest, went on to publish her award-winning short story collection Bear Down, Bear North: Alaska Stories, which won the Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction. Caitlin Horrocks, a former winner, later published This Is Not Your City with Sarabande Books and went on to become a fiction editor at The Kenyon Review itself. More recently, Claire Boyles, a finalist, went on to publish her debut collection Site Fidelity with W.W. Norton, which was longlisted for the *PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize for Debut Short Story Collection.
The contest offers a rare combination of immediate validation and long-term visibility. Winning stories are read not only by The Kenyon Review’s devoted readership but also by editors, agents, and fellow writers across the industry. For many, this recognition has opened doors to book deals, teaching positions, and further awards.
For emerging authors eager to break into the literary scene, the Kenyon Review Short Fiction Contest provides both a prestigious publishing credit and entry into a broader literary network. Full details on eligibility, deadlines, and submission guidelines can be found on The Kenyon Review’s official website.
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