Flash Fiction Contest Rules

It’s time for our 4th Annual Flash Fiction Contest! This year’s theme is “Witches of Machias”. Your fictional story should have a witchy theme and be based in or around Machias. The location(s) can be real or fictional. 

Contest Rules:
• The contest is open to all ages.
• The word count may not exceed 1000 words, excluding the title. (Submissions with word counts higher than 1000 will not be accepted.)
• Limit one submission per author
• Entrants must submit their stories through the provided Google Form during the submission window. (We will not accept submissions via email or in hard copy. Any submissions received outside the submission window will not be accepted.)
• Submissions must be uploaded in .pdf or .doc or .docx format. • Entrants must title their uploaded document with their name and story title. (Ex: John Doe, The Fairy Friend)
• The deadline for submissions is September 14, 2025
• The content of the submission may not be excessively profane, vulgar, or explicit.
• Submissions must not contain personal identification information.
• All Submissions must be an original work by only one author. No AI generated content will be accepted.

Winners will be announced in October during a book party at Machias Art Center, on our website, and social media. In addition, their stories may be featured in the Machias Valley News Observer and other media. 

By submitting to the Machias Arts Council 2024 Flash Fiction Contest, entrants agree to abide by all submission guidelines and submit to the decisions made by the review board as it concerns naming winners, determination of submission fitness, and prize allocation. The author agrees to permit the Machias Arts Council to republish your story in all forms, royalty-free, with credit to being given to the author. The author retains all copyrights to their story.