Texas Authors Short Story Contest - Adults
Texas Authors Short Story Contest — Adults
The 12th Annual Contest
Every writer has stories worth telling. The 2027 Texas Authors Short Story Contest gives adult Texas writers an opportunity to test their talent, reach new readers, and earn recognition for their work.
Short fiction gives writers room to experiment with new voices, characters, genres, and ideas without waiting until an entire novel is completed. For established authors, a short story can also expand the world of a published book, introduce readers to a character’s backstory, or create interest in a larger body of work.
Selected stories will be published in the annual Short Stories by Texas Authors anthology, continuing a literary tradition that preserves and promotes the voices of Texas writers.
Important 2027 Dates
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Submissions open: March 1, 2027
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Submission deadline: July 31, 2027
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Winners announced: Early September 2027
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Anthology publication: October 2027
Entries must be received by the submission deadline to be considered.
Who May Enter?
The contest is open to adult Texas authors and writers in all fiction genres. Both published and unpublished writers are encouraged to participate.
Stories may be inspired by Texas, but they are not required to have a Texas setting or theme.
Entry Fee
The entry fee is $40 per short story.
Monthly or annual Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 Texas Authors Success Center members receive one complimentary entry into the Texas Authors Short Story Contest as a one-time membership benefit.
Additional entries may be submitted at the regular entry fee.
How to Enter
We have kept the submission process simple:
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Email your short story to
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Include your full name, mailing address, telephone number, story title, and genre in the email.
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After your entry is received, an invoice will be sent to you. The entry fee may be paid by credit or debit card.
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Your entry is complete only after both the story and payment have been received.
Level 2, 3, or 4 members using their complimentary entry should identify themselves as Texas Authors Success Center members when submitting.
Enter the Contest Here. A Confirmation will be sent upon receipt with more instructions.
Questions may be sent to
Awards and Recognition
Top-ranking entries may receive:
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Publication in the annual Short Stories by Texas Authors anthology
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Printed copies of the anthology
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Recognition as a contest winner
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Press-release publicity
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Extended promotional support
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Membership benefits
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Cash awards, when applicable
Awards are based on the final judging results. A story must earn a minimum qualifying score to advance to the final round.
Beyond the prizes, publication in the anthology gives writers a new credential, another way to reach readers, and a professionally produced book they can use in their continuing promotion.
Supporting Texas Literacy
The contest is about more than recognizing individual writers. It also helps preserve contemporary Texas storytelling and introduces readers to authors they may not otherwise discover.
Past volumes of Short Stories by Texas Authors have been distributed to Texas libraries through literacy-support programs, including programs serving Title I schools and communities. Texas libraries continue to be offered a complimentary edition of the anthology when each new volume is published.
Judging Process
Entries are evaluated by librarian judges. Each story is considered on the quality of its storytelling, writing, structure, and overall effect on the reader.
Judges evaluate the following nine areas:
1. Plot
The story should have a clear, coherent progression of events. Judges will consider originality, logic, conflict, reader engagement, and whether the plot sustains interest from beginning to end.
2. Character Development
Characters should have recognizable personalities, motivations, and emotional depth. Judges will consider whether the characters are relatable and whether they experience meaningful growth, discovery, or change.
3. Setting
The setting should be clearly established and integrated into the story. Strong settings contribute to the atmosphere, influence the characters, and support the action rather than functioning as background description alone.
4. Theme
The central idea or message should emerge clearly through the story. Judges will consider the theme’s relevance, depth, and connection to the characters, plot, and ending.
5. Writing Style
Judges will evaluate clarity, voice, creativity, grammar, punctuation, spelling, sentence construction, and consistency. The writing should support the story without distracting or confusing the reader.
6. Pacing
The story should move at a pace appropriate to its subject and genre. Action, dialogue, description, and reflection should be balanced so that important moments are neither rushed nor unnecessarily prolonged.
7. Dialogue
Dialogue should sound believable, suit the characters, and serve a purpose. Effective dialogue reveals character, develops relationships, provides necessary information, or advances the story.
8. Emotional Impact
The story should create an emotional response and leave an impression on the reader. The specific emotion may vary by genre, but it should feel earned by the events and characters.
9. Ending
The conclusion should feel appropriate to the story. Judges will consider its clarity, resolution, emotional effect, and ability to leave the reader with a memorable final impression.
Scoring and Final-Round Qualification
Each judging category is scored on a scale of 1 to 10:
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1: Does not meet basic contest expectations
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5: Demonstrates a developing or average level of effectiveness
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10: Demonstrates exceptional effectiveness
A story must receive a total score of at least 70 points to qualify for the final round of judging.
Reaching the minimum score makes a story eligible for the final round but does not guarantee publication, placement, or an award.
Put Your Story to the Test
You do not have to wait until your next novel is finished to challenge yourself as a writer.
A strong short story can introduce your work to new readers, strengthen your publishing credentials, expand your creative range, and become an important part of your author platform.
Submit your story and see where it can take you.
Submissions open March 1 and close July 31, 2027.
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