Here at Foofaraw, we are running our first contest! Let’s take the ordinary and make it weird.
Details may change slightly until we “officially” announce on September 1st. Price is reduced for our soft first week launch.
Submission period: October 10–October 19, 2025
Entry fee: $5
Word limit: 1,500–3,000 words
The fee goes up to $10 on October 1st.
Entries can be purchased after the contest has begun for $15 until October 17th.
The theme will only be announced via email to those participating until October 17th.
How it works
You can purchase your entry (up to three per person) any time between now and the end of the contest. On October 10th, all entrants will be sent the prompt and link to submit their story.
All stories should take the ordinary of everyday life and put a twist on it, whether it’s speculative, surreal, magical realism, etc., while following the specific contest prompt (which will be announced on October 10th).
Three prompts will be sent to participants, and authors will be required to include two in their stories:
- a specific line/quote
- a story element
- a surprise
Prizes and publication
• First place: 50% of net revenue (minimum of $75) + publication in Foofaraw Press
• Second place: 30% of net revenue (minimum of $45) + publication in Foofaraw Press
• Third place: 20% of net revenue (minimum of $30) + publication in Foofaraw Press
• Five honorable mentions: $10 each + publication consideration (requires a minimum of 100 entries)
Entry guidelines
• Format: Standard manuscript format, 12pt, double-spaced
• Submission method: Form link to be sent via email
• Simultaneous submissions: Accepted (withdraw immediately if accepted elsewhere)
• Previously published work: Not accepted
• Multiple entries: Up to three submissions per author (separate entry fee for each)
• Anonymous judging: Remove your name from manuscript pages
Absolutely no AI
Timeline
• Submission deadline: October 19, 2025 (11:59 PM PT)
• Judging period: October–November 2025
• Winners announced: December 1, 2025
Judges
- Kevin Kortum, editor of Foofaraw
- Joel Glover, author and Foofaraw contributor
- Casey Aimer, poet and editor of Radon Journal
Judging process
Round one: Editorial staff screens all entries for adherence to guidelines and basic quality standards
Round two: Stories are divvied up between the three judges to read, with each selecting five finalists
Round three: The judges will deliberate together to choose the winners from the fifteen finalists. The editorial staff will choose honorable mentions from the remaining finalists.
Judging criteria
Stories will be evaluated on:
• Style: Distinct voice
• Prose: Story reads clearly without errors or unclear language
• Originality: Brings something new to the ordinary of everyday life
• Resonance: Linger with the reader after the final sentence
• Adherence: Sticks to the prompt(s)
Rights and publication
• First serial rights for winning stories
• Non-exclusive anthology rights for one year
• All other rights remain with authors
• Authors retain copyright
• Digital and print publication in Foofaraw Press
Eligibility
• Open to all writers worldwide
• Stories must be written in English
• Authors must be eighteen or older
• Foofaraw Press staff, editors, and guest judges are ineligible
Entry fee breakdown
We believe in transparency. Here's where your $5 goes:
Questions?
Email us at ordinary@foofaraw.press
We respond to all inquiries within 48 hours.