Seeking Dribbles, Drabbles, & Micro Fiction
If the Submittable link below stops working, please notify me ASAP. Sometimes technology is quirky.
Welcome to our Micro Fiction Contest. We’re looking for concise, impactful writing. We’ll assume it’s fiction even if it’s based on real life.
Terminology:
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- A dribble is a story of exactly 50 words.
- A drabble is a story of exactly 100 words.
- Micro fiction can run up to 500 words.
What We’re Looking For:
We’re looking for short, short pieces that makes a point and makes us think or react. You can submit up to 3 dribbles or 3 drabbles if you like in one entry. If you submit more than one piece of micro fiction, please be sure the total number of words is less than 500.
What makes a dribble or drabble effective?
- Be clear.
- Be concise.
- Make a point.
- Let readers think, feel, and react.
- Start as far into the story as possible.
- Use as few characters as possible.
- Have a conflict and resolution—maybe an unexpected resolution.
- Use descriptive nouns and verbs.
- Make the title count.
- Surprise us with something new and refreshing.
- Please double space and use a readable font.
- Read it out loud. Fix any glitches & SUBMIT. If your work is published you’ll earn $35.
What if you’d prefer to submit a longer story?
Go to the Contests & Markets page. You’ll find lots of places seeking longer submissions.
What if you were looking for the Scintillating Starts Contest?
Write to me and I’ll explain how I’m doing that now. It’s a worthwhile opportunity.
“I like to let the most mundane things that catch my attention have the chance to be flashes of lightning.” ~~Unknown
PRIZES? PUBLICATION? ABSOLUTELY! for the best 3 to 8 pieces. All can call themselves winners in Writer Advice’s 2025 Flash Memoir Contest. We no longer rank as first, second, and third place. There are small cash prizes for everyone who is published.
You can find some samples of Micro Fiction in Prior Winners
How do you enter? Use this Submittable link or the one at the bottom of the page. The contest will close on December 2 at midnight ET.
Want to see the rubric that guides us? You’ll find it on the Writing Advice page. 
“Great stories often come from the smallest, least flashy places, and being open to the idea that even a dirty sock on the floor can serve as a catalyst for a story means inspiration can truly come from anywhere.” ~~Ani King
Keep reading. There are contestant comments below.
JUDGES: Since everyone who’s published is now considered a winner, as opposed to first, second, and third place winners, we use judges from previous contests only when needed. Editor B. Lynn Goodwin consults with former Writer Advice winners as needed.
Submittable will ask for a $5 submission fee which goes towards prizes and an additional $10 if you’d like feedback on what’s working and what might trip readers up. Despite the price of gas, groceries, and everything else, I’m keeping my rates the same, which is my gift to those who enter.
If you prefer to send it directly to me, use the contact box on the home page. I’ll ask you to pay the fee through PayPal or by check, and as soon as I receive the payment, I’ll read your work.
Questions? Please ask.
- If your work is accepted elsewhere, please notify us immediately.
- We prefer unpublished work, though we do accept stand-alone excerpts from work seeking a publisher or agent.
- Please hit the contact button and ask questions if anything is unclear or missing. Thank you!
Names of all winners will be announced on WriterAdvice, www.writeradvice.com in early January or—worst case–later.
E-mail questions to editor B. Lynn Goodwin using the box at the bottom of the page. We value your work and look forward to reading it.
COMMENTS FROM PREVIOUS CONTESTANTS:
Although I’ve received many more kind words since I posted these, I haven’t updated. My interest is in your writing–not promotion, though I have books for sale.
Curious? Please ask.
I appreciate being able to choose where I put my time.
“You reviewed a piece I wrote for the Flash Memoir Contest earlier this year and provided inspirational feedback. Your guidance helped me to improve the piece and my writing, and I’ve had success publishing in part because of your assistance. So thank you. :-)” ~~Rob Rogers
“Thank you for your great advice. I appreciate it and will use it to improve my writing.” –Shelley Malicote
“Your suggestions for improvement rock.” –Shelley Stutchman
“WriterAdvice.com is one of my all-time most reliable and accessible sites for writers. I use it—and recommend it to my clients.” ~Carolyn Howard-Johnson, multi award-winning author of the HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers (http://howtodoitfrugally.com), poetry and fiction
“I can’t tell you how many people I’ve told about the great feedback you give to folks no matter how many entries you get.” –Bill Buschel
“It’s such a refreshing experience to have some exchange — as most submissions disappear into the either like rogue satellites.” –Charles Watts
“Your insights are excellent” –Dan Dubelman
“You are the first professional to offer feedback and your encouraging words have given me additional motivation! It is reassuring to know that I was on the right track; you have a remarkable ability to give constructive feedback in a positive way (and you are absolutely correct). I look forward to submitting more stories and continuing to improve.” –Jamie Fouty
“I learned about this contest from the Submittable page. I then checked out your website and felt comfortable submitting my story as you seem like someone who genuinely wants to help and advise others.” –Roger Yetzer
“I’m always striving to improve my writing, and feedback from editors like you make it much easier to do so.” –Margarite R. Stever
“Many thanks for your response, from it, I can tell you’re very good at what you do.” –Kisa, Visually Versed
“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you taking the time to read and analyze my work . . . It’s not every day a contest gives you comprehensive feedback instead of a simple yes/no!” –Lena Crown
“Thanks for the wonderful feedback, never, never, got that before in thirty years.” –Jenny Hickinbotham
