“Horrifying” October Fiction Contest

SUBMISSIONS CLOSED

A failed test. A missing mother. A gruesome murder. A train station that feels just a little too empty. A monster under your bed. Have you written a short story of any genre that is—in some way, shape, or form—horrifying? If so, you should submit it to the BFR short fiction contest! 

The Berkeley Fiction Review is pleased to invite UC Berkeley students to submit their most unsettling short fiction. We’re looking for horrifying stories of any genre that leave our editors positively petrified. Send us your fiction, in 2,000 words or less, for the chance to be featured in our upcoming issue and win a cash prize. 

In order to be considered, your submission must meet all listed criteria.

Eligibility

  1. UC Berkeley students only
  2. Only one submission per author 
  3. Only original and previously unpublished work of any genre
  4. $35 cash prize for first place, and $25 for others

Submission rules

  1. 2,000 words or under
  2. Blind submissions only (no author name, address, etc. on the document please)
  3. Format your story in Times New Roman 12pt font, double-spaced

How to submit

  1. Email a pdf of your story to berkeleyfictionreview@gmail.com 
  2. Your email must include “October Contest Submission: Name, Title” in your email’s subject line

Review Process 

  1. Our editors will judge all submissions
  2. Contest winners will be announced in November
  3. Selected stories will be featured in our upcoming issue in May