Participate in A Very Short Story Contest by Gotham Writers and win exciting prizes. Submissions close on May 30!
It may be apocryphal, but legend has it that Ernest Hemingway once won a bet by writing a complete short story in fewer than ten words. One version places the bet at the iconic Algonquin Round Table in New York. Whether fact or fiction, the story attributed to Hemingway endures:
For sale. Baby shoes. Never worn.
In just six words, Hemingway managed to stir emotion, suggest tragedy, and spark curiosity. It’s a powerful reminder that brevity can achieve profound literary impact.
Inspired by this minimalist masterpiece, Gotham Writers invites writers everywhere to enter the annual Ten-Word Story Contest. The challenge is simple yet demanding: craft a compelling short story using no more than ten words.
The winner of the contest will receive a free Gotham Writers class—any class of their choice, excluding premium classes such as Zoetrope Fiction, Business Writing, or Level III workshops. Beyond the prize, the winning story will be featured on GothamWriters.com, celebrating the power of precision and storytelling economy.
Every spring, this contest draws creative minds from around the world. Some past entries continue to resonate for their wit, poignancy, and emotional depth. Here are a few memorable selections:
She asked the stranger to do her laces.
“Sure, mom.”
—Alice Woods, Copenhagen, Denmark
She learnt about families in the school library. Fiction section.
—Chris Tattersall, Haverfordwest, United Kingdom
Naval burial, full honors. Thank God I can swim home.
—Leia Cadogan Welch, Clifton, New Jersey
This contest is more than a creative exercise, it’s a literary bet, a celebration of what language can achieve in its most distilled form. Whether a seasoned writer or a curious newcomer, anyone can rise to the occasion and leave a lasting impression in just a few words.
Writers are encouraged to take the challenge and submit their entries before the deadline. After all, sometimes the smallest stories leave the deepest mark.
Interested participants can register through this link.
The deadline for submission is May 30, 2025.
