Short Story Competition
Terms & Conditions
Ironclad Creative Short Story Competition Spring 2026
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Ironclad Creative CIC exists to support writers and storytellers. The Ironclad Creative Short Story Competition is for both published and unpublished writers.
We’re looking for original writing in English and you can be from anywhere in the world.
PRIZES:
The first place writer will be offered a prize of £100 and publication in the anthology.
The second place writer will be offered a prize of £50 and publication in the anthology.
The third place will be offered a prize of £25, and publication in the anthology.
The additional shortlisted writers will be offered publication in the anthology.
Please read the following eligibility terms carefully before submitting as our rules have changed.
The Ironclad Short Story Competition is open to both published and unpublished writers from anywhere in the world. If you’ve already been published by Ironclad Creative CIC, you’re welcome to submit new work for this competition too.
The cost of submission per entry is £9.75. All proceeds will be used in the administration of the award and to support Ironclad Creative CIC in our work.
Unless you have been given permission by Ironclad Creative CIC to enter one submission for free, then you must pay the £9.75 entry per submission for the work to be eligible.
Only submissions received and paid for by 31st January 2026 23:59GMT will be considered.
Entries that are paid and submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
Both published and unpublished writers are welcome to submit, but submitted stories must not have been previously published (online or in print, even by the author).
The story must be the work of the writer and must not infringe upon the intellectual property and copyright of any person or entity. This includes using copyrighted work as quotes within the body of the story.
Don't use the prompt word as the title unless it’s alongside a sub-heading or with other words or phrases.
Writing must NOT be the work of AI.
Entries can be any length but must not exceed 6,000 words.
Writers can be any age though the work of children will be judged alongside everyone else and the final anthology is aimed at readers of adult work.
We do not accept illustrations or artwork with entries.
Writers can submit multiple entries - though they must pay and submit each separately.
Stories must be written in English - if translated, stories must be clearly marked as ‘Translated’ and the translator credited, if different from the writer.
Please submit your work on the Google Form after paying. If you struggle with the process of payment or submitting your work email admin@ironcladcreative.org for guidance.
WE prefer work in Word, Google Docs or other common formats such as PDF.
Please do not include your name on the submission itself including the document file name. That way we can judge your story anonymously. If you leave your name on by mistake, contact us before the submission closing date for your work to be eligible.
We’ll do our best to let all entries know the results by the end of March 2026.
We do not offer editorial feedback.
The judging decision of Ironclad Creative CIC and our judging decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
Our aim is to support writers to write. We think this term allows for the fairest way to do this:
By entering this competition, you grant Ironclad Creative CIC a non-exclusive, perpetual licence to include your submitted work, if selected, in our print and eBook anthology, which is currently published through Amazon KDP.
This licence allows Ironclad Creative to print, sell, distribute, and promote the anthology in full and, if your work is selected, include your credited short story within the anthology.
All copyright and moral rights remain with you, the author. You may continue to publish, adapt, or submit your work elsewhere, if they accept previously published work.
If your piece is selected, Ironclad Creative will contact you to confirm inclusion and approve you agree to this term before publication.
Prizes: The first place winning writer will receive a cash prize of £100, a second place writer will receive a cash prize of £50 and third place writer will receive a cash prize of £25. All the prize winning writers, and a selection of shortlisted stories will be offered publication in our anthology which will be available via print and eBook via KDP.
Only submissions which meet all our terms and conditions will be considered.
By entering the Ironclad Creative Short Story Competition, each entrant agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions. Again, we’ll confirm these terms and conditions again with you, should your work be selected.