The Ben Nyberg Short Fiction Collection Contest

Beginning September 1, 2026, Choeofpleirn Press will begin accepting full length book manuscripts of short fiction (defined below) for our new Ben Nyberg Short Fiction Collection Contest. The contest will run from September 1 to December 31, 2026.

This contest is named after fiction writer and creative writing professor, Ben Nyberg, who was a great influence on the writings of both CP editors, Ruth J. Heflin and James P. Cooper, who took his creative writing workshops at Kansas State University.

Contest Context

This contest is reserved for those writers who have not yet published a full length book of short fiction. Note that self-published books are still published books.

Book manuscripts, however, may contain short stories, micro stories, and novellas that have been published previously elsewhere.

There is no theme or restriction on the type of fiction that can be submitted, but the final judge for this contest is our editor, Ruth J. Heflin, who prefers works that evoke images and feelings for places and people. The works should be the best literary quality of writing each writer is capable of, transporting readers to that place, so that they feel as though they know the people they meet and can understand what they are experiencing. In short, the works should illustrate humanity (even if those people are animals or aliens) as realistically as possible, without being morbid. Violence described in loving detail by the writer will be dismissed because we are looking for the humanity in the characters, not their vile proclivities, whatever they may be.

Manuscript Guidelines

Writers should format their books with a title page, including the author's name, a Contents page that lists each story and the page number on which that story appears, followed by the story manuscripts in the order as they appear on the Contents page. A short bio of the writer may be included at the end of the manuscript or in the email with the submission file (specified below).

Do NOT double space the stories, but please use Georgia font, size 12.

Save the book manuscript as a Word file or as a pdf file using your name and the title of the book as the title of the file.

The book should be at least 60,000 words long, and may include micro stories (less than 100 words each); flash fiction (less than 1000 words each); short stories (between 3000-10,000 words); novelettes (10,000-20,ooo words); and/or novellas (20,000-40,000 words).

Note that every micro story should be as clear and as solid as any longer story, so we are expecting strong writing throughout the book.

In your email cover letter, include the following information:

• The title of your book and your name.

• A description of the main genre or theme of the writing within the book. 

• A one-sentence summary of each story within the book.

• An explanation of what kinds of people you envision as your best reading audience.

• A brief explanation for how you learned about this contest.

Email your cover letter and manuscript submission to: choeofpleirnpress@gmail.com after paying the $30 contest fee in the PayPal box below.

Please email us if you have question at the same email address.

Prizes for Winning

The winning manuscript will be published by Choeofpleirn Press at our expense. The contest fees we collect help us finance the publication of the book, as well as helps us pay the winning writer.

The winning writer will also receive a $500 echeck, once the book is formally published.

Other non-financial prizes the author will receive are a stylized bookmark to share with readers at readings or at local libraries, and advertising of the work on seven different social media platforms.

Inclusivity Statement

We are committed to advancing more equitable and inclusive literary publishing. We believe creative and thoughtful ideas entrusted to us as books can achieve enduring impact when there is a greater diversity and inclusivity of voices collaborating in their creation.