Reflex Press Novella Award 2023

The 2023 Reflex Press Novella Award is now closed. The longlist will be published in May 2023.

Closing date: 11:59:59 p.m. GMT 31 January 2023.

Word limit: 15,000 to 40,000 words.

Winners announced: May 2023

Prizes: winner – £1,000 and publication with Reflex Press. Two runners-up – £500 and publication with Reflex Press.

Entry fee: £10

Please read the full rules below before submitting your entry. If you have any questions, please get in touch via our contact page. We’ll keep a list of FAQs at the bottom of the page.

Eligibility

1. Entries must be in English.
2. Entries must be the work of the entrant and must not have been published, including self-published, or accepted for publication elsewhere in print or online, including blogs or personal websites.
3. It is permissible for individual pieces from novellas-in-flash to have been previously published, but the entrant must hold all print and digital publishing rights for all pieces.
4. Entries must be fiction but can be on any subject and written in any style or form.
5. The novella competition is international and welcomes entrants from all countries.
6. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please let us know if your entry wins a prize or is published elsewhere so we can withdraw your entry.

Format

1. Entries must be at least 15,000 words but no more than 40,000 words.
2. Please submit the full manuscript.
3. Entries must be anonymous and must not include your name, address, email, telephone number or any other personal information.
4. Entries will only be accepted in the following formats: Microsoft Word Document (.doc or .docx), OpenDocument Text (.odt), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and Text Document (.txt).
5. Please make the filename of your entry the same as the title of your story.

Submission

1. Entries should be made via the entry form below.
2. Entries must be received before 11:59:59 p.m. GMT on 31 January 2023.
3. There is no limit to the number of entries an entrant may make.
4. Multiple entries should be submitted separately.
5. Entries will be acknowledged by email autoresponder.
6. Please check your email address carefully before submitting your entry.
7. If you do not receive a confirmation email (don’t forget to check your spam) please contact us via the contact page as it may mean we have not received your entry.
8. Entrants are responsible for completing the submission process correctly and alerting us to any problems they encounter. Reflex Press accepts no liability for entries not received due to a failure on the part of the entrant to follow the submission process correctly.

Payment

1. An entry fee of £10 is payable for each entry submitted.
2. Entries must be accompanied by the email address used to process your entry fee so we can cross-check our records: your story will not be read if you have not paid the entry fee.

Determination of winners

1. All entries will be read and judged anonymously by members of the Reflex Press team.
2. No editorial feedback will be offered to unsuccessful entrants.
3. The judge’s decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.

Winning entries

1. The winning entry will receive £1,000 as an advance against royalties and publication with Reflex Press.
2. Two runners-up will receive £500 as an advance against royalties and publication with Reflex Press.
3. Winning authors will be contacted prior to the public announcement of the winning entries to agree publishing terms.

Are novellas-in-flash eligible?

Yes.

Is there a word limit for each individual flash in a novella-in-flash?

No, we’re not enforcing a word limit for individual flashes, so long as the work as a whole falls within 15,000 to 40,000 words.

Is there any flexibility in the word limits?

No, they are hard word limits.

I’m on a low income and really can’t afford the entry fee. Can I still enter?

Of course. Just get in touch with us via our contact form. There’s no need to explain your financial circumstances.

Are you looking for a particular genre?

No, all genres are fine with us. The only thing that matters is the quality of the writing.

Have another question? Ask them via our contact page.