CAMP Rehoboth’s inaugural Flash Fiction contest is now open for submissions. Here are the guidelines:

• You may submit up to two pieces of fiction for consideration. Submissions must be:
  • ORIGINAL piece(s) of fiction of 300 to 1,000 words
    • Works must not have been published elsewhere, including on a blog (or similar) that is accessible to the public
    • Simultaneous submissions are not permitted
    • Do not quote song lyrics that are not in the public domain; we cannot accommodate the requisite copyright permission process
  • Supplied as Microsoft Word documents which:
    • are formatted as 12-point Arial font, single-spaced, 1-inch margins
    • include a cover sheet with author info (name, contact email & phone)
    • include NO author info on story itself
  • Sent to: [email protected] by 11:59 PM on Saturday, February 15, 2025
• General guidelines:
  • Browse our magazine (Letters from CAMP Rehoboth; camprehoboth.org/letters) to get a sense of overall tone. Fiction will be a new feature in the magazine, but you will find many personal essays which serve as helpful examples. 
  • Write for an adult/young adult readership.
  • Avoid gratuitous sex or violence, pointlessly foul language, religious themes, and explicit erotica or gore. 
• Winners will be expected to participate in a public reading of at least an excerpt of their work; the reading will be held at CAMP Rehoboth Community Center, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Any winners who cannot appear in person must submit a video-recorded reading.  

All submissions will be read by a panel composed of writers/editors; decisions of the panel are final. Winners will be notified of their selection on/about March 21, 2025.

It is anticipated that there will be five winners: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places, and two Honorable Mentions. Winners will receive monetary awards of $1,000 (1st place), $750 (2nd place), $500 (3rd place), and $250 (honorable mentions). 

At least the first-place winning story will be published in CAMP Rehoboth’s magazine, Letters from CAMP Rehoboth. The publisher reserves the right to lightly edit the story to conform with guidelines appearing in the Chicago Manual of Style, 18th edition (the style guide used for the magazine). Stories published in Letters become the property of CAMP Rehoboth. 

The fine print: Members of CAMP Rehoboth staff, its Board of Directors, or the Readers Panel are not eligible to compete.