Short Story Prize Rules

By entering the prize you agree to the following terms and conditions. Failure to follow these rules could lead to disqualification:

  • The theme of the 2024-2025 Short Story Prize is “Journeys”.

  • The stories can be either fiction or narrative non-fiction

  • You are limited to one submission of up to 1,000 words, not including the title

  • Stories must be written in English

  • You must include the title of your work on your submission, but not your name

  • You may also submit to the Poetry Prize, but must submit your poem(s) separately through the Poetry Submission Portal

  • Submissions are now being accepted. The deadline is  noon, Sunday, 13th April, 2025.

  • You must cut and paste your submission into the form. We will reformat it into double-spaced 12-point Times New Roman. Please contact us if your submission requires special formatting.

  • Your work must be your own. It must be original and not already published online or offline.

  • All entries will be checked for plagiarism and plagiarists will be automatically disqualified.

  • Stories generated by AI will be rejected.

  • You must be in upper-secondary Swiss public education when you submit your work

  • Students studying for international examinations (such as the IB or A levels) or attending schools where the teaching language is primarily English are NOT eligible to enter the prize

  • During the submission process you must indicate whether you speak English with members of your immediate or extended family, or are undertaking a immersion course of study (such as a year abroad in an English-speaking country). Extra consideration will be given to students who are non-native and not in immersion programmes

  • During the submission process you must indicate whether you are studying for the Maturity Certificate. Extra consideration will be given to students who are not taking this examination.

  • Do not write your name on your submission. All submissions will be judged anonymously

  • The judge’s decision is final and without appeal

  • The judges, the organisers, their friends and family are not allowed to enter the competition

  • Short-story finalists writers will be contacted at the end of April 2025. The results will also be published online

  • Up to 10 finalists will be invited to a half-day writing workshop in May 2025 at the Lili Centre  in Lucerne, where they will be taught by the prize judge

  • There will be a Reception following the workshop for the short-story finalists and a guest

  • The Anthology will be published after the workshop, and each finalist will receive three copies.

  • By entering the prize you allow us to use any photos of the workshop, reception or prize giving on our website and communications materials

  • By entering the prize you give us the the exclusive right to publish the shortlisted and winning short stories for a period of six months following their announcement. After six months, rights revert to the author

  • The organisers reserve the right to change these terms and conditions at any time

Please contact us if you have further questions.