Short Story

Online Submission By: Monday, Sept. 5, 11:59pm

Winners Announced: Sunday, Sept. 11, 12:00pm

Winners will be announced on the Fair Main Stage and on the DC State Fair website.

After registering, entries may be submitted here.

 

Awards Given

Blue, red, and white ribbons will be awarded for:

  • Best Short Story

Judging Criteria

  • Creativity and Originality

  • Coherence of form and structure (harmony of words)

  • Clarity of imagery and language

 

Contest Rules

Contest format: 

  • 2,000 word maximum per story, excluding title.

  • Theme: Washington, D.C. - can take place in D.C., be about D.C., feature characters from D.C., showcase your D.C. experience, etc.

  • Story may be written in any genre.

  • Must be fiction. Non-fiction and illustrated stories are not eligible.

  • Entries must be written in English.

Submission:

  • Submit entries as an attachment. Acceptable file types include .pdf, .doc, .docx, .txt. If unable to open your submission, it will be disqualified.

  • Entries should be typed in a plain, legible font.

  • Include a word count on first page under the title.

  • There is no limit to the number of entries any single entrant may make.

  • No corrections or alterations can be made after entries have been received.

  • Entries will be judged anonymously. Do not put your name, address, email, telephone number, or any other personal information on any page of your submission.

  • All stories may be published on the DC State Fair website and social media. Winners will be given priority placement. 

  • Previously published stories - print, broadcast, or online (including those that have appeared on websites, blogs, and personal home pages) - are not eligible. Stories that have previously won awards or prizes are not eligible.

  • Official entries must be in the writer’s own name, not pseudonymous. You may request that we use your nom de plume for public distribution/publication on web and social.

Rules

  • Entries must be the original work of the author. The DCSF Board of Directors will remove from consideration any entries that are not original works. 

  • Plagiarism, which includes the use of third-party poetry or prose, song lyrics, characters, or another person's ideas without written permission or proper acknowledgment will result in disqualification.

  • The story may contain public figures as characters, but the DCSF Board of Directors reserves the right to disqualify entries that are offensive or defamatory.

  • Simultaneous submissions are fine, but we ask that you notify the DCSF Board of Directors immediately if your work is accepted elsewhere.

  • Authors retain full worldwide copyright throughout. Entries will be acknowledged.

  • Only submissions that meet the requirements (length, theme, fiction, submission deadline) will be eligible to win the contest.

  • Entries that fail to comply with rules, terms and conditions, privacy policies, and requirements will be disqualified. Entries deemed indecent, offensive, or promoting hate or criminal behavior will be disqualified.