How the competition works

Welcome! This is a skill-based writing competition. Winners are chosen for the quality of their stories, not by chance. We publish our rubric so you can see exactly how entries are judged.

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Entry & eligibility

Who can enter: Anyone, anywhere. Entries must be in English.
Word count: Up to 500 words (title not included in the count).
Format: Double-spaced .doc/.docx preferred, Times New Roman, 11 pt.
Entry fee: £5. Where required, we also offer a no‑purchase route so everyone remains eligible.

How judging works

We score flash fiction against clear categories using a published rubric. Each longlisted story is anonymised and read by multiple independent judges.

Rubric & weights

Characterisation — 20%
We’re looking for compelling, surprising characters and strong character voices—unusual heroes, unreliable narrators, the lot.
Setting — 20%
Reward for an evocative or unusual setting—place, time, situation.
Voice — 20%
A confident, distinctive voice or structure; a gripping interior narrative.
Story / Plot / Twist — 35%
Flash sings when there’s an unexpected turn. We also reward irresistible storytelling.
Spelling / Grammar — 5%
We care about stories first. But this 5% can decide the final longlist/shortlist—so do give it a polish.

Process

Longlist: Roughly 20% of entries based on scores, capped at 20–25 stories.
Independent judging: At least three qualified judges evaluate every longlisted, anonymised entry. All judges sign conflict‑of‑interest declarations.
Scoring & winners: Judges assign numeric scores; rankings are based on the average. Ties use skill‑based tie‑breakers (e.g., higher originality score, then adherence to brief).

Fairness, originality & transparency

Anonymity: We remove names before judging to reduce bias.
Originality: Entries must be your own work. We screen for plagiarism (e.g., via Grammarly) and disqualify copied work.
Records: We keep time‑stamped score sheets to demonstrate a skill‑based outcome and for transparency.

Intellectual property

You retain copyright unless you’ve agreed otherwise. By entering, you grant us a non‑exclusive right to publish your story for promotional purposes (see our Terms & Conditions for details).
Longlisted entries may be published as a paperback or ebook in the Farnham Flash Fiction winners series. Authors may request removal by emailing sally@flashfiction500.com.

Notifications & prizes

Winners are notified by email within 14 days. Prizes are awarded as described on the competition page.
Unclaimed prizes will be held for two years.

Why this is a skill contest

Our published rubric, multiple independent judges, anonymized scoring, and recorded score sheets ensure results depend on demonstrated writing skill—not luck.

Free entry places

Five free entry places are available each round. These are reserved for writers from low‑income or underrepresented backgrounds for whom the fee would be a genuine barrier.

How to apply

Email sally@flashfiction500.com with subject line “Free Entry Application.” Include your name, location, and story title. No documents needed—applications are accepted on trust.
Applications are considered in order of receipt. Once all five places are allocated, later applicants will be notified and invited to apply for the next round.
Free entries are anonymised and judged exactly the same way as paid entries.
Deadline for free-entry applications is 14 days before the main deadline (e.g., if the competition closes on 15 Feb, free-entry applications close on 1 Feb) to allow for processing.

Got questions? We’re friendly—just ask!