Budding writers are encouraged to submit their short fiction stories to the Okanagan Short Story Contest. Submissions are due in early February.
Aspiring authors are invited to submit their stories to the annual Okanagan Short Story Contest, which is now open for submissions.
Emerging writers from BC’s southern interior are invited to share their work and compete for a selection of prizes. Now in its 28th year, the contest—organized by UBC Okanagan’s Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies—continues to celebrate emerging talent while showcasing compelling fiction.
“I’m excited to be helping with another edition of this contest. The talent on display is always a pleasure to witness, and I look forward to unveiling the winners,” says Umar Turaki, a creative writing lecturer at UBCO and alumnus.
Developing writers are invited to submit their work for the chance to win several prizes, including $1,000 for the winner. Second and third prizes are $400 and $200. This is the sixth year in a row the contest has also been open to high school students, with a top prize of $200.
This year, the contest will be judged by local author and creative writing lecturer Joanna Cockerline.
“I am happy to be the judge for the Okanagan Short Story Contest as there is a wealth of stories from so many diverse voices in our region,” says Cockerline. “I look forward to hearing the many different perspectives and encountering each writer’s unique style.”
Cockerline is a CBC Literary Awards prizewinner and the author of the novel Still, long-listed for the 2025 Giller Prize. Her writing has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and has appeared in numerous national and international publications. She teaches literature, communications and creative writing at UBCO.
Entries for the Okanagan Short Story Contest are open to fiction writers in BC’s southern interior—from east of Hope to the Alberta border, and from the United States border north to Williams Lake. Entries must be original stories between 1,000 and 4,000 words, and writers may submit multiple entries. There is a $20 entry fee for each story, but no charge for submissions in the high school category.
All proceeds support creative writing scholarships through the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies and also help fund Indspire, an Indigenous organization that invests in the education of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people.
Submissions for the short story contest are due February 6, 2026. Winners will be announced at a public event early next spring.
For a full list of contest details and rules, visit: fccs.ok.ubc.ca/short-story.
