An ordinary contest (year ii)
truly extra-ordinary
✱ Support the writer
Tip the author $2+$10+ earns the story's house trading card, $20+ the limited edition. We email you a claim code.
50% of tips go straight to the author. The rest covers processing fees and keeps Foofaraw running. Every dollar accounted for.
Entries are purchased via Submittable, where you will come back to and upload your story in August.
How it works
Writers can purchase their entry any time between now and the end of the contest. Each entry purchased equates to one story that writers can submit. All participants will be sent the prompts and a link to submit their story via Submittable.
All stories should take the ordinary of everyday life and put a twist on it—whether speculative, surreal, slipstream, strange, or something else entirely—while adhering to the specific contest prompts.
Three prompts will be sent to participants. Writers are required to include two in their stories (no bonus points for including all three):
- a genre
- a character
- an oddity
Prizes and publication
✱ Published in Foofaraw Press
✱ Published in Foofaraw Press
✱ Published in Foofaraw Press
Five honorable mentions will each receive their entry fee returned—if we reach 100 entries.
Total prize money is 60% of all entry fee income. 10% covers administration costs (aka Submittable's cut); the remaining 30% is split between the three judges and Foofaraw.
Entry guidelines
- Format: Standard manuscript format, 12pt, 1.5 line spacing
- Submission method: Submittable entry will be opened for editing when the prompts are sent out where you can upload your story when complete.
- Previously published work: Not accepted
- Anonymous judging: Remove your name from manuscript pages
Timeline
- Then Entries available for purchase
- Jul 30 Entry price increases to $25
- Aug 7 Prompts announced and emailed to all participants
- Aug 7–16 Writing and submission period
- Aug 16 Submission deadline — 11:59 PM PT
- Sep–Oct Judging period
- Early Oct Winners announced
Judges
Winner of An Ordinary Contest 2025
Andrea Cavedo is a Chicago-based writer whose first-place story "A Cup to Save the World" appeared in Foofaraw Press in 2025.
Writer and Foofaraw Fellow
Ashlee Lhamon is a writer and Foofaraw Fellow with a debut novel coming soon.
Co-founder and co-editor, Trollbreath Magazine
Jenifer Reynolds co-founded and co-edits Trollbreath Magazine.
Judging process
All entries reviewed by editorial staff for adherence to guidelines and basic quality standards.
Stories are divided between the three judges. Each judge selects five finalists—fifteen total.
Judges deliberate to decide winners from the fifteen finalists. Foofaraw editorial selects honorable mentions from the remaining finalists.
Judging criteria
Does the story bring a distinct voice?
Does the story read clearly without errors or unclear language?
How does the story bring something new to the ordinary of everyday life?
How long does it linger with the reader after the final sentence?
Does it include two of the three provided prompts?
Rights and publication
More info can be found about rights and the publication process on our Submissions page
- First serial rights for winning stories and perpetual non-exclusive archive rights
- Non-exclusive anthology rights for one year
- All other rights remain with authors
- Authors retain copyright
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 (slush readers for other calls can enter).
Questions?
Email us at contest@foofaraw.press