The SmokeLong Grand Micro Contest 2026 - Up to 4 Micros

Use this form to enter Up to FOUR micros (250 words or fewer each) in The SmokeLong Quarterly Grand Micro Contest. If you would like to enter only two micros, please see the up-to-two competition entry form.

In December 2026 SmokeLong Quarterly will publish a double issue, which will include the finalists and winners in this competition alongside our usual flash narratives. 

The Judging

All entries are read anonymously by an international team of selected SmokeLong editors. You must remove all identifying information from the story document itself. Please make sure you remove your name from the page number heading and the filename as well. Your name should appear ONLY in your cover letter, which the judges will not see.

We make every effort to reply as quickly as possible, even during competitions. This means you will probably receive a reply within two weeks if we have decided to pass on the entries. If we are taking longer than two weeks, be encouraged. This means at least one of your stories has made it through to the second round of judging. Due to the anonymous nature of the judging process we are not able to communicate regarding which micro is still being considered. 

The Guidelines

• Word Count: 250 words or fewer for each micro (excluding the title). Put all micros in the same document.
• Languages: English or any other language accompanied by an English translation. The story will be judged on the English text. Previously published micros are considered, so if you are a translator please search for those exciting micros in the languages from which you translate. Translator and author will split the prize money equally. We are very interested in featuring authors from around the world, so please do take advantage of this opportunity. 
• Previously published and unpublished work will be considered. This is an excellent chance to give that micro you published ten years ago a second life. 
• Entrants must be 18 or older.
• Fiction, non-fiction, and hybrid narratives that lean poetic are considered.
• The line between prose and poetry is often a blurry one, but please take into consideration that SmokeLong does not consider poetry with line breaks. 
• Please use a legible, dark font. Single-spacing is fine.
• Simultaneous submissions are considered, but we ask that you withdraw an entry immediately if it has been accepted elsewhere. You can do this by sending a message to us, which we will see at the end of the judging process.
• Please note that we pay via Paypal or Zelle, and that you must have access to one of these service providers to accept payment. Exceptionally, we also have a few paper checks lying around from the 1990s for writers in the US or Canada. 

Fees

$14 for two micros / $23 for up to four micros

Prizes

Grand Prize: $1000

Second Place: $500

Third Place: $300

Finalists: $150

All the above will be published in the December 2026 issue of SmokeLong Quarterly.

A long list and a shortlist will be announced.

Before You Enter

If you're new to the micro narrative, why not take a few minutes to explore the journals that publish them? You can start with SmokeLong HERE.  

If you are unable to pay an entry fee, you may request one free entry by sending an email to editor@smokelong.com. This offer ends September 1, 2026.