An Ordinary Contest
Ends on
Writing and submission period: August 7 - August 16, 2026
Entry fee: $10
Word limit: 1,500–3,000 words
Prompts: 3 provided; 2 required in story The three prompts will only be announced via email to those participating.
Entries purchased after July 30th will cost $25
How it works
Writers can purchase their entry any time between now and the end of the contest. Each entry purchased equates to one story that writers can submit. All participants will be sent the prompts and link to submit their story.
All stories should take the ordinary of everyday life and put a twist on it, whether it’s speculative, surreal, magical realism, etc., while adhering to the specific contest prompts.
Three prompts will be sent to participants. Writers will be required to include two in their stories (no bonus points for including all three):
- a specific line/quote
- a story element
- a surprise
Prizes and publication
First place: 50% of prize money (minimum of $100) + publication in Foofaraw Press
Second place: 30% of prize money (minimum of $75) + publication in Foofaraw Press
Third place: 20% of prize money (minimum of $50) + publication in Foofaraw Press
Five honorable mentions: will receive their entry free back (if we reach 100 entries)
*Total prize money will be 60% of all entry fee income. 10% goes to administration fees (Submittable charges $1 plus 3% for every transaction), then the remaining 30% is split four ways between the three judges and Foofaraw.
Entry guidelines
- Format: Standard manuscript format, 12pt, 1.5 line spacing
- Submission method: Submittable entry will be opened for editing when the prompts are sent out where you can upload your story when complete.
- Previously published work: Not accepted
- Anonymous judging: Remove your name from manuscript pages
Absolutely no AI
Timeline
Entries available for purchase: NOW
Prompts announced and e-mailed to participants: August 7, 2026
Writing/submission period: August 7 - August 16, 2026
Submission deadline: August 16, 2026 (11:59 PM PT)
Judging period: September–October 2026
Judges
Andrea Cavedo, winner of 2025's Ordinary Contest
Ashlee Lhamon, writer and Foofaraw Fellow with a debut novel coming soon
Jenifer Reynolds, co-founder and co-editor of Trollbreath Magazine
Judging process
Round one: Editorial staff screens all entries for adherence to guidelines and basic quality standards
Round two: Stories are divvied up between the three judges to read, with each selecting five finalists
Round three: The judges will deliberate to decide the winners from the fifteen finalists. Foofaraw editorial staff will select honorable mentions from the remaining finalists.
Judging criteria
Stories will be evaluated on:
- Style: Does the story bring a distinct voice?
- Prose: Does the story read clearly without errors or unclear language?
- Originality: How does the story bring something new to the ordinary of everyday life?
- Resonance: How long does it linger with the reader after the final sentence?
- Adherence: Does it include two of the three provided prompts?
Rights and publication
More info can be found about rights and the publication process on our Submissions page
- First serial rights for winning stories and perpetual non-exclusive archive rights
- Non-exclusive anthology rights for one year
- All other rights remain with authors
- Authors retain copyright
Eligibility
- Open to all writers worldwide
- Stories must be written in English
- Authors must be eighteen or older
- Foofaraw Press staff, editors, and guest judges are ineligible (slush readers for other calls can enter).
Questions?
Email us at contest@foofaraw.press