ANNOUNCING: The Dreambridge 2025 Short Story Anthology Contest

Edited 3/2/25: added FAQ's to the bottom of the page.

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Welcome to Dreambridge Publishing's second annual short story contest!

Last year's debut anthology contest featured work from authors all pondering the possibilities of utopia. Trouble in Paradise offered twenty lucky authors the opportunity to see their name in print, some for the very first time! You can check out our debut anthology here.

We are excited to present our new contest for our second anthology, In My Element !

Just like last year, the chosen writers will work with our team of dedicated editors to prepare for publication at the end of this year, offering a unique opportunity to experience the world of indie publishing firsthand.

Please also consider joining our mailing list! It's the best way to stay up to date with contest result announcements, writing tips, community events, and more.

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT:

March 31st, 2025 @ 11:59pm PST

Theme:

Elements & Alchemy   

Your story MUST include the following:

Something comes together, and something falls apart

'Alchemy' is defined as "a seemingly magical process of transformation, creation, or combination."

Here are various definitions and uses of the word 'element'...

1. a part or aspect of something abstract, especially one that is essential or characteristic. (ex. "It had all the elements of a classic love story.")

2. a small but significant presence of a feeling or abstract quality. (ex. "the element of power")

3. the rudiments of a branch of knowledge.

4. any of the four substances (earth, water, air, and fire) regarded as the fundamental constituents of the world in ancient and medieval philosophy.

5. a person's or animal's natural or preferred environment.

6. and more!

Story submission guidelines:

• This year's short stories must fit the theme of elements and alchemy. The story MUST include something that comes together and something that falls apart (this does not have to be a key plot point).

• Maximum length: 4000 words. Shorter is sometimes better—make each word count!

• We’re looking for compelling characters who struggle to achieve their goals. All genres are welcome, so long as the stories are original works of fiction.

• Your story should be a stand-alone work of prose, not a chapter from a novel, a play, a screenplay, etc. Short poetry may be considered but is not the focus of the anthology. Works requiring specific typesetting, such as words that form shapes, cannot be accommodated due to publishing limitations.

• One entry per author. No previously published stories or simultaneous submissions.

• Please proofread your story before you submit. Grammar check using the Chicago Manual of Style, Grammarly, or Grammar Girl.

• Winners will receive a notification two to three weeks after the contest deadline, and when we publish our blog post sharing the winners. Stories that are not chosen will not receive an email.

• We do not accept re-submissions for edits. If we select your story, our editors will work with you to polish it.

 Formatting instructions:

• DO center your title on the first page of the manuscript.

• DO use one-inch margins,12-point Times New Roman, double-spaced, no extra spaces between paragraphs.

• DO use your title or first few words of the title as your file name.

• DO save your manuscript in .doc or .docx file format.

• DO NOT put your name or contact info in the manuscript itself, or as part of the file name.

• DO NOT submit a PDF.

• DO NOT use single-space or 1.5-space line formatting.

• DO NOT insert headers or footers, or page numbers.

• DO NOT make a title page or use unusual title fonts.

FAQ's

Q: Is there an entry fee for this contest?

A: this is a free-to-submit, unpaid opportunity to showcase your writing.

Q: Do I get royalties from publishing with this contest?

A: Since we're just starting out, this is an entirely self-funded venture. All book sales will go towards the self-publishing printing costs for the anthology and to fund future Dreambridge short story contests.

Q: Will I keep the rights to my story if I submit?

A: You will retain the rights to your story should you choose to publish it elsewhere later.

Q: Are you open to international submissions?

A: We accept story submissions worldwide! However, the anthology will be published in English, and your story will rotate between 1-3 English-speaking editors so it will need to stand on its own in English through the initial selection and editing process. We never want to turn writers or submissions away, but depending on how many entries we get, judging can be critical in those first stages and we would hate to see a story turned down because something was lost in translation.

Q: I'm under 18 years old. Can I still submit to the anthology?

A: Yes! If you are submitting your work and are under 18 years old, please note that your work will be judged equally and as critically alongside adult submissions. Your age will not be revealed to our editors in the submission round, but may play a factor in how we put the rest of the anthology together, so if you are chosen feel free to disclose this information to us.

Submit your story today through the link below!

CONTEST SUBMISSION FORM