Flash 405
Ends on
Our February 2026 Flash 405 Contest will be judged by Nonfiction Editor Heather Vaughan!
The Theme: Oops
From Heather:
“Tell us about a time you—or someone else—messed up, biffed it, dropped the ball. Mistakes happen, and they usually come with a good story. Whose fault was it? What were the consequences? Did anyone learn their lesson?”
The Guidelines
- Fiction. A complete story, up to 405 words (get it?).
- Nonfiction. A complete story, up to 405 words.
- Poetry. One poem, up to 5 lines (including prose poems).
- Stage & Screen. A complete scene, up to 4 pages. Please format according to the standard unpublished playwriting or screenwriting format.
- Experimental. A complete short-form narrative utilizing innovative techniques and/or hybrid forms. Consider the spirit of flash as well as the limits of other categories for length guidelines.
The Prizes
The winners will all receive publication on the website. Our first and second place winners will also receive a cash prize, but here’s the fun part—there’s no limit to how much you could win. The more entries we receive, the larger the prize! Here’s a breakdown:
- 1st prize: Online publication + 40% of all entry fees.
- 2nd prize: Online publication + 20% of all entry fees.
- Honorable Mention: Online publication.
Concealed submissions
Flash 405 entries are judged anonymously: please remove your name, contact information, or any other all identifying information from your submission document.
We still require your name and a brief bio with your Submittable submission cover letter, but this will not be shared with the judge.