Contest overview
The Cai Emmons Short Fiction Contest offers opportunities to celebrate diverse voices from Oregon and Washington, nurture emerging talent, and promote storytelling aligned with Cai’s values and literary vision.
Submission Guidelines
Submission window: Aug 1, 2025, to Oct 31, 2025
Eligibility: Writers residing in Oregon and Washington
Length: Original, unpublished short fiction, 1,000–3,000 words
Themes: Submissions must reflect themes central to Cai Emmons’ work, including:
- Interconnectedness
- Women’s issues
- Grief and loss
- Family dynamics
- Environmental/climate concerns
- Magical realism
- Women’s experiences and identities
Entry Fees
- $10 for Wordcrafters members
- $20 for non-members
- Reduced or waived fees available for BIPOC, QTGNC, and disabled writers upon request
Award Categories and Prizes
Grand Prize: Cai Emmons Short Fiction Contest Winner – $700
To honor Cai’s commitment to diverse themes and genres, prizes will also be awarded in categories such as:
- Magical Realism Award – $200
- Environmental/Climate Award – $200
- Female Protagonist Award – $200
- Family Dynamics Award – $200
- Experimental Fiction Award – $200
- Aftermath of Loss Award – $200
Publication
Winning stories will be published in a professionally produced chapbook, reflecting the contest’s diverse themes and showcasing the best short fiction from the Pacific Northwest.
