OPL’s Short Story Contest – May 2026
We’re hosting another Short Story Contest!
Adults (18 & older) wishing to participate will be able to submit one short story no more than 750 words, adhering to the theme of Weather.
5 stories will be chosen to be published in a small “zine” which will be printed & freely distributed by the Olean Public Library. The top 3 stories will receive small commemorative prizes, and all 5 writers will be invited to read their stories later in June at the Library.
Submissions are open from May 1st to May 31st. Winners will be announced in June.
See below for Submission & Formatting Rules as well as where to submit your short story.
Theme: Weather
Writers are free to interpret the theme as they see fit, we only ask that weather (of any kind!) features in the story.
Examples of Short Stories That Feature Weather:
“All Summer in a Day” by Ray Bradbury | “Red Wind” by Raymond Chandler | “Cat in the Rain” by Ernest Hemingway | “The Midnight Zone” by Lauren Groff | “The First Day of Winter” by Breece D’J Pancake | “Do the Windows Open?” by Julie Hecht | “Winter Chemistry” by Joy Williams | “The Long Rain” by Ray Bradbury | “Bad Weather” by Anton Chekhov | “Rain, Rain, Go Away” by Isaac Asimov | “To Build a Fire” by Jack London |
Submission Rules:
- No more than 750 words
- 1 story per submission, 1 submission per person
- Only your own original work is allowed
- Any use of AI to create your story is prohibited
- Cannot have been previously published or distributed before
- Fictional short stories only; no poetry, essays, or novel excerpts please
Failure to follow these rules will result in disqualification.
Formatting Rules:
- Times New Roman
- 12 Point Font
- Doubled Space
- File type should be a Word Document or PDF
- Do not include your name or any biographical information in the document itself (there will be a place in the submission form for you to put contact info)
Failure to follow these rules will result in disqualification.
You can submit your short story by filling out the form here: https://form.jotform.com/261194240751150
*All stories must be submitted through this form to be considered!*
By submitting this form, you are granting Olean Public Library the right to publish your short story in our May 2026 Short Story Writing Contest Zine.
If you are having trouble accessing the form or have any questions, you can email us at [email protected] or call us at (716) 372-0200.