The Bumblebee Flash Fiction Contest opens 1 January 2026
Short fiction up to 750 words
Is your shortest fiction soft and appealing with a hidden sting? Send us your short, sweet, and sassy fiction for a chance to win $300 and publication in Pulp Literature. Get an editorial critique for only $50 more. Judged by flash fiction master Bob Thurber, winner of numerous awards and author of the novel Paperboy.
The Bumblebee Flash Fiction Contest
Contest opens: 1 January 2027
Deadline: 15 February 2027
Winner notified: 15 March 2027
Winner published in: Issue 55, Summer 2027
Prize: $300
Judge: Bob Thurber
Entry fee: $25
Earlybird fee (before 15 
January): $15
Entry fees include a 1-year digital subscription to Pulp Literature.
Editorial critique: $50
This contest is for previously unpublished works of fiction up to 750 words in length. No simultaneous submissions. Total entries limited to 300.
Want feedback on your story? Get a professional critique from one of the Pulp Literature editors for only $50. Critiques are sent out after the judging is over.
Submission Guidelines
Pulp Literature Press does not support the use of Generative AI or LLM software. We do not accept works created by AI software, and we will not feed your work to AI platforms for editing, design, or marketing purposes.
Use the Paypal button below to add your payment to the shopping cart on the sidebar. If you are submitting multiple stories you can pay for them together by altering the quantities in your shopping cart. If you would prefer to pay via e-transfer contact us at pulpliteraturepress(at)gmail.com.
Entry Fee
Editorial Critique
Once you have paid the entry fee, fill in the entry form with your information and transaction ID. Then upload your story to our entry form in Word .doc or .docx format.
Entry Form
Thank you for your entry! Editorial feedback, if requested, will be sent after the contest winners are announced. Digital subscriptions are sent out when the contest closes.
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Pulp Literature Press reserves the right to refuse entries that do not adhere to contest guidelines. If fewer than 25 entries that meet guidelines are received, contests may be cancelled and entrants refunded.