New Contest: The O. Henry Short Story Competition for Young Writers

If you’re a U.S. resident between the ages of 14 and 22 and you’re an aspiring fiction writer you’ll want to take a look at the new O. Henry Short Story Competition for Young Writers.

Running from May 15, 2006, through September 22, 2006, the contest invites you to submit an original short short story (maximum 1,000 words) via e-mail. You can submit only one entry. One winner and two runners-up will be chosen, and their stories will be published online at the O. Henry Prize Stories Web site. They’ll also receive copies of the 2006 volume of the prize stories, signed by series editor Laura Furman.

The winner will also receive a $100 cash prize. His/her story will be sent, along with a letter of introduction from Laura Furman, to the editors of magazines represented in the 2006 prize story volume.

There is no entry fee.

As always, be sure to read the full guidelines before you submit. And you should also peruse that Web site to learn more about exceptional short stories and the magazines that publish them.