2026 CRAFT Award for Excellence

February 9, 2026 – April 12, 2026

$5,000 Awarded

CRAFT’s mission since day one has been to explore how writing works and to celebrate the art of prose. With that goal in mind, we are introducing the CRAFT Award for Excellence, honoring the very best in each of our creative prose genres: Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Flash Fiction, and Flash Creative Nonfiction.

Each genre will award one winner the CRAFT Award for Excellence, selected by CRAFT’s editors; these winners will receive a $1,000 prize, online publication, reMarkable Paper Pro tablet & set up, and a CRAFT plaque commemorating your win. Two editors’ choice selections from any genre will receive $500 and online publication.

Show off your setting skills, dazzle us with snappy dialogue, render us spellbound with your lyricism. Whatever your craft, our only requirement is excellence. 

GUIDELINES:

• The 2026 CRAFT Award for Excellence opens on February 9 and closes on April 12.
• CRAFT submissions are open to all writers, emerging and experienced.
• Submit up to 5,000 words of Short Fiction or Creative Nonfiction, or up to 1,000 words per piece of Flash Fiction or Flash Creative Nonfiction. Please, no excerpts.
• Submissions containing flash only may include up to two pieces per submission. Include both pieces in one document.
• This contest requires a $20 entry fee per submission.
• Writers from historically marginalized groups will be able to submit for free until we reach fifty free submissions. NOTE: The submission cap has been met.
• We allow multiple and simultaneous submissions. Each submission must be accompanied by a separate reading fee. Writers, please notify us and withdraw your submission if your piece is accepted for publication elsewhere.
• Submit previously unpublished work only—we do NOT review reprints (including work posted on blogs, personal websites, social media, et cetera). Reprints will be automatically disqualified.
• International submissions are allowed. Work must be written primarily in English, but some code-switching/meshing is warmly welcomed.
• No translations, please.
• We review literary prose but are open to a variety of genres and styles—our only requirement is that you show excellence in your craft.
• Please double-space your submission and use Times New Roman 12.
• Please include a brief cover letter with your publication history and any content warnings (if applicable).
• We do not require anonymous submissions. 
• The winner will be asked to contribute an author’s note, or mini craft essay, that discusses their artistic choices in their piece. The note will be published with the winning work.
• All entries will also be considered for publication in CRAFT.
• Please review our values before submitting.
• AI-generated or -assisted submissions will be automatically disqualified.
• Unless you’ve already secured the necessary permissions, please do not include quoted song lyrics in your submitted work.
• We are always happy to answer any questions. Email us: contact@craftliterary.com.

AWARDS:

• One winner in each genre will receive a $1,000 prize, reMarkable Paper Pro tablet & set up, and a CRAFT plaque commemorating your win.
• Two total editors’ choice selections will receive a $500 prize.
• The six finalists will be published in CRAFT.
• Each publication will also include an author’s note (craft essay) by the writer.

FINE PRINT:

• Friends, family, and close associates of the CRAFT editorial staff are not eligible for this award.
• Our collaboration with editorial professionals in the judging of our contests and the awarding of our prizes does not imply an endorsement or recognition from their agencies, houses, presses, universities, et cetera.
• Read our extensive archive of publications in Short Fiction, Creative Nonfiction, Flash Fiction, and Flash Creative Nonfiction for examples of work published in the past.
• The results will be announced in August and the finalists will be published in September 2026.

OPTIONAL EDITORIAL FEEDBACK:

You may choose to receive editorial feedback on your work. We will provide marginal notes, as well as a two-page global letter discussing the strengths of the writing and the recommended focus for revision. While editorial feedback is inherently subjective, our suggestions are always actionable and encouraging. We aim to have feedback completed within twelve weeks from the close of the contest. Work that we critique is not eligible for submission to future CRAFT contests, but can be revised and resubmitted in our general categories for further consideration.

OUR AWARD PARTNER:

At reMarkable, we’re emulating paper. That's why our paper tablets feature a tactile, high-friction surface, making them feel and sound just like writing on paper. It’s why our software is minimalistic and free from unnecessary complexity. So that they can be a natural extension of the best medium for creativity and productivity.

Today, we give people the ability to create powerful systems for capturing ideas and organizing and refining their notes across multiple devices, making it easier than ever to combine these elements in ways the humble notebook could never dream of.

We strive to make products that take a human-centric approach to new technology. Everything we make is distraction-free by design. Without notification alerts, ads, or pop-ups that might disturb your train of thought or cloud a moment of perfect clarity.

With reMarkable, we wanted to create a haven for thinking. A set of focused tools that can make the rest of the world disappear so that only ink, paper, and ideas remain. Regardless of if you prefer handwriting, typing, or combining them in a single workflow.

In short: It’s like paper, but better.

Welcome to CRAFT.

Submissions for longform creative nonfiction are open year-round and offer payment of $200 for accepted original work. This free category is for essays and standalone excerpts between 1,000 and 6,000 words. See our flash creative nonfiction category for essays of fewer than 1,000 words.  

As we have always done with our fiction as well, each published work of creative nonfiction will include an author’s note and an editorial introduction that both focus on the craft of the piece. We review literary nonfiction, but are open to a variety of styles—our only requirement is that you show excellence in your craft. 

If you have questions about submissions, please send an email to: contact (at) craftliterary (dot) com 

GUIDELINES: 

• Longform creative nonfiction submissions are open to all writers.
• We accept longform creative nonfiction only in this category; please, no academic work (we have a separate category for critical writing and interviews).
• International submissions are allowed.
• Please submit work primarily written in English, but some code-switching/meshing is warmly welcomed.
• We adhere to a 6,000 word count maximum (for essays under 1,000 words, please choose the more appropriate flash creative nonfiction category).
• We review literary nonfiction, but are open to a variety of genres and styles including memoir, lyric essays, personal essays, narrative nonfiction, speculative creative nonfiction, and experimental prose.
• Please submit previously unpublished work only—we no longer consider reprints.
• We allow simultaneous submissions—writers please notify us and withdraw your piece if your work is selected for publication elsewhere. If you withdraw your work, you may submit another piece in the same genre.
• We no longer allow multiple submissions—please send only one piece of longform creative nonfiction at a time, until you've heard back from us.
• If your work is declined, we ask that you wait three months before submitting again to the same genre, unless an editor requests more work from you.
• Please double-space your submission and use Times New Roman 12. Email us if you need accommodations.
• Please send your piece as a Word doc. PDFs are acceptable, if necessary.
• Include a brief cover letter with your publication history and any relevant content warnings (if applicable).
• Unless you’ve already secured the necessary permissions, please do not include quoted song lyrics in your submitted work.
• CRAFT does not consider or review AI-generated work. Submissions utilizing AI tools will be automatically declined.
• We do not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, disability, family status, gender identity or expression, national origin, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation, or for any other reason.
• Additionally, we do not tolerate discrimination in the writing we consider for publication. Work we find discriminatory on any of the bases stated here will be declined without complete review.

Welcome to CRAFT. 

Submissions for flash creative nonfiction are open year-round and offer payment of $100 for accepted original work. This free category is for essays and standalone excerpts fewer than 1,000 words. See our longform creative nonfiction category for essays between 1,000 and 6,000 words.

As we have always done with our fiction, each published work of creative nonfiction will include an author’s note and an editorial introduction that both focus on the craft of the piece. We review literary nonfiction, but are open to a variety of styles—our only requirement is that you show excellence in your craft. 

If you have questions about submissions, please send an email to: contact (at) craftliterary (dot) com 

GUIDELINES: 

• Flash creative nonfiction submissions are open to all writers.
• We accept flash creative nonfiction only in this category; please, no academic work (we have a separate category for critical writing and interviews).
• International submissions are allowed.
• Please submit work primarily written in English, but some code-switching/meshing is warmly welcomed.
• We adhere to a 1,000 word count maximum (for essays between 1,000 and 6,000 words, please choose the longform creative nonfiction category)—please send only ONE flash creative nonfiction piece between 401 and 1,000 words.
• OR, up to three micros (400 words or fewer each / fewer than 1,000 words total) may be submitted in a single document—this file counts as ONE submission.
• We review literary nonfiction, but are open to a variety of genres and styles including memoir, lyric essays, personal essays, narrative nonfiction, speculative creative nonfiction, and experimental prose.
• Please submit previously unpublished work only—we no longer consider reprints.
• We allow simultaneous submissions—writers please notify us and withdraw your piece if your work is selected for publication elsewhere. If you withdraw your work, you may submit another piece in the same genre.
• We no longer allow multiple submissions—please send only one piece of flash creative nonfiction at a time (unless you're sending three micros, of course, which count as one submission), until you've heard back from us.
• If your work is declined, we ask that you wait three months before submitting again to the same genre, unless an editor requests more work from you.
• Please double-space your submission and use Times New Roman 12. Email us if you need accommodations.
• Please send your piece as a Word doc. PDFs are acceptable, if necessary.
• Include a brief cover letter with your publication history and any relevant content warnings (if applicable).
• Unless you’ve already secured the necessary permissions, please do not include quoted song lyrics in your submitted work.
• CRAFT does not consider or review AI-generated work. Submissions utilizing AI tools will be automatically declined.
• We do not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, disability, family status, gender identity or expression, national origin, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation, or for any other reason.
• Additionally, we do not tolerate discrimination in the writing we consider for publication. Work we find discriminatory on any of the bases stated here will be declined without complete review.

Welcome to CRAFT.

Submissions for short fiction are open year-round and offer payment of $200 for accepted original work. This free category is for short stories and standalone fiction excerpts between 1,000 and 6,000 words. See our flash fiction category to submit stories of fewer than 1,000 words.

We are thrilled to be able to pay for published stories, but subsequently must be highly selective in our choices.

To serve our aim of exploring the art of fiction, each published story includes an editor’s introduction as well as a craft essay (author’s note) by the writer. This essay will be requested upon acceptance.

If you have questions about submissions, please send an email to: contact (at) craftliterary (dot) com

GUIDELINES:

• Fiction submissions are open to all writers.
• We accept short fiction and standalone excerpts only in this category.
• International submissions are welcome.
• Please submit work primarily written in English, but some code-switching/meshing is warmly welcomed.
• We adhere to a 6,000 word count maximum (for stories of fewer than 1,000 words, please choose the more appropriate flash fiction category).
• We review literary fiction, but are open to a variety of genres and styles—our only requirement is that you show excellence in your craft.
• Please submit previously unpublished work only—we no longer consider reprints.
• We allow simultaneous submissions—writers please notify us and withdraw your piece if your work is selected for publication elsewhere. If you withdraw your work, you may submit another piece in the same genre.
• We no longer allow multiple submissions—please send only one piece of short fiction at a time, until you've heard back from us.
• If your work is declined, we ask that you wait three months before submitting again to the same genre, unless an editor requests more work from you.
• Please double-space your submission and use Times New Roman 12. Email us if you need accommodations.
• Please send your story as a Word doc. PDFs are acceptable, if necessary.
• Include a brief cover letter with your publication history and any relevant content warnings (if applicable).
• Unless you’ve already secured the necessary permissions, please do not include quoted song lyrics in your submitted work.
• CRAFT does not consider or review AI-generated work. Submissions utilizing AI tools will be automatically declined.
• We do not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, disability, family status, gender identity or expression, national origin, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation, or for any other reason.
• Additionally, we do not tolerate discrimination in the writing we consider for publication. Work we find discriminatory on any of the bases stated here will be declined without complete review.

Welcome to CRAFT.

Submissions for flash fiction are open year-round and offer payment of $100 for original work. This free category is for flash fiction up to 1,000 words. See our short fiction category for stories between 1,000 and 6,000 words.

We are thrilled to be able to pay for published stories, but subsequently must be highly selective in our choices.

To serve our aim of exploring the art of fiction, each published story includes an editor’s introduction as well as a craft essay (author’s note) by the writer. This essay will be requested upon acceptance.

If you have questions about submissions, please send an email to: contact (at) craftliterary (dot) com

GUIDELINES:

• Flash fiction submissions are open to all writers.
• We accept flash fiction only in this category.
• International submissions are allowed.
• Please submit work primarily written in English, but some code-switching/meshing is warmly welcomed.
• We adhere to a 1,000 word count maximum (for stories from 1,000 to 6,000 words, please choose the more appropriate short fiction category)—please send only ONE flash fiction piece between 401 and 1,000 words.
• OR, up to three micros (400 words or fewer each / fewer than 1,000 words total) may be submitted in a single document—this file counts as ONE submission.
• We review literary fiction, but are open to a variety of genres and styles—our only requirement is that you show excellence in your craft.
• Please submit previously unpublished work only—we no longer consider reprints.
• We allow simultaneous submissions—writers please notify us and withdraw your piece if your work is selected for publication elsewhere. If you withdraw your work, you may submit another piece in the same genre.
• We no longer allow multiple submissions—please send only one piece of flash fiction at a time (unless you're sending three micros, of course, which counts as one submission), until you've heard back from us.
• If your work is declined, we ask that you wait three months before submitting again to the same genre, unless an editor requests more work from you
• Please double-space your submission and use Times New Roman 12. Email us if you need accommodations.
• Please send your story as a Word doc. PDFs are acceptable, if necessary.
• Include a brief cover letter with your publication history and any relevant content warnings (if applicable).
• Unless you’ve already secured the necessary permissions, please do not include quoted song lyrics in your submitted work.
• CRAFT does not consider or review AI-generated work. Submissions utilizing AI tools will be automatically declined.
• We do not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, disability, family status, gender identity or expression, national origin, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation, or for any other reason.
• Additionally, we do not tolerate discrimination in the writing we consider for publication. Work we find discriminatory on any of the bases stated here will be declined without complete review.

This form is currently open ONLY to BIPOC and other mis- and underrepresented writers.

While our submissions for short and flash prose are always free and always open, we are currently offering a fast response option for free to BIPOC and other historically mis- and underrepresented writers.

This form is for both short fiction and longform creative nonfiction (short stories, standalone excerpts, and creative nonfiction essays) between 1,001 and 6,000 words, and for flash and micros (both fiction and creative nonfiction) up to 1,000 words.

We will respond to your piece within four weeks of submission.

We pay $200 for accepted short stories or longform creative nonfiction, and we pay $100 for accepted flash or micro pieces. To serve our aim of exploring the art of prose, each published piece includes an editor’s introduction as well as a craft essay (author’s note) by the writer. This essay will be requested upon acceptance.

If you have questions about submissions, please send an email to: contact (at) craftliterary (dot) com

GUIDELINES: 

• This fast-response category is open only to BIPOC writers and other historically mis- and underrepresented writers.
• International submissions are allowed.
• Please submit work primarily written in English, but some code-switching/meshing is warmly welcomed.
• For this category, we review previously unpublished work only.
• For short fiction and longform creative nonfiction, we adhere to a 6,000 word count maximum.
• For flash, we adhere to a 1,000 word count maximum—please send only ONE flash prose piece between 401 and 1,000 words.
• OR, up to three micros (400 words or fewer each / fewer than 1,000 words total) may be submitted in a single document—this file counts as ONE submission.
• We review literary prose, but are open to a variety of genres and styles—our only requirement is that you show excellence in your craft.
• We allow simultaneous submissions—writers please notify us and withdraw your piece if your work is selected for publication elsewhere. If you withdraw your work, you may submit another piece in the same genre.
• We no longer allow multiple submissions—please send only one piece at a time (unless you're sending three micros, of course, which count as one submission), until you've heard back from us.
• If your story is declined, we ask that you wait three months before submitting again to the same genre, unless an editor requests more work from you.
• Please double-space your submission and use Times New Roman 12. Email us if you need accommodations.
• Please send your submission as a Word doc. PDFs are acceptable, if necessary.
• Include a brief cover letter with your publication history and any relevant content warnings (if applicable).
• Unless you’ve already secured the necessary permissions, please do not include quoted song lyrics in your submitted work.
• CRAFT does not consider or review AI-generated work. Submissions utilizing AI tools will be automatically declined.
• We do not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, disability, family status, gender identity or expression, national origin, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation, or for any other reason.
• Additionally, we do not tolerate discrimination in the writing we consider for publication. Work we find discriminatory on any of the bases stated here will be declined without complete review.
• Please do not submit work to this category if you do not identify as BIPOC or as a writer from another demographic who has been historically mis- or underrepresented in publishing.

Interested in writing critically for CRAFT? Please see the guidelines below and select the appropriate dropdown option when you submit your work. We do not consider previously published material (reprints) in this category. 

We review essays on writing craft, critical literary analyses, and interviews. Please visit our Craft Section to see the type of content we publish. 

All work in this section is concerned with fiction or creative nonfiction. Please do not send critical work about poetry, film, or any other genres. Those pieces aren't for us. Please do not send personal essays—send those to our creative nonfiction forms. We pay $50 for craft and critical essays, $50 for most standard interviews, and $100 for hybrid interviews (a critical essay paired with a Q&A).

Craft and critical essays range from 1,500 to 2,500 words concerning the craft of fiction or creative nonfiction. We recommend familiarizing yourself with our archive. Most essays we publish offer a careful examination of craft elements in fiction or creative nonfiction.

We welcome queries, pitches, and completed interviews with fiction or creative nonfiction writers. We will want to know if the interview is already approved as well as which elements of craft will be explored. We often schedule interviews well in advance—please contact us as soon as possible with your proposed interview.

We no longer allow multiple submissions—please send only one piece per genre at a time. If your craft/critical submission is declined, you may submit again to the genre immediately. Overall, you may have one piece of fiction (either short or flash), one piece of creative nonfiction (either longform or flash), and one craft piece under consideration at one time.

Details:

Craft and Critical Essays 

Please send completed essays concerning the craft of fiction or creative nonfiction, and include in your cover letter what you're exploring and why it is a good fit for us. Submissions should be 1,500 to 2,500 words and should consist of a careful examination of craft. We only consider completed pieces.

Interviews & Hybrid Interviews

Typically our interviews run around 2,000 to 2,500 words and our hybrid interviews run 3,000 to 4,000 words, 1,000 to 1,500 of which comprise a critical essay about one or more of the interviewee's books. We consider both completed pieces and queries/pitches.

CRAFT does not consider or review AI-generated work. Submissions utilizing AI tools will be automatically declined.