The Galley Beggar Press
Short Story Prize 2026/27

 

The Galley Beggar Press Story Story Prize 2026/27 is now open to submissions.

 

KEY DETAILS

 

Judges

This year, the directors of Galley Beggar Press will be joined by three new judges: Victoria Mackenzie (author of For Thy Great Pain Have Mercy On My Little Pain, winner of the Saltire First Book Award and a Guardian, Sunday Times and Scotsman Book of the Year 2023), Timna Fibert (winner of the Galley Beggar Press Short Story Prize, 2023), and Gonzalo C. Garcia (Associate Professor at the University of Warwick and Galley Beggar author of two novels: We Are The End, 2018; Telenovela, 2025).

Prizes

For the 2026/27 Prize there are three tiers of awards: 

  • The WINNER of the 2026/27 Short Story Prize will receive a cash prize of £3000.

  • SHORTLISTED authors will each be awarded a cash prize of £200. In addition, their story will be printed in pocket-book format and distributed to libraries, charities and other literary organisations in the UK.

  • Each LONGLISTED author will receive £50 of bookshop vouchers, plus a 4-book subscription to Galley Beggar Press.

 

Cost of entry

Entry costs £11 per story. The proceeds of the prize pay for the administration costs of the prize, and also raise essential funds for Galley Beggar Press (allowing us to continue to focus on new, ambitious and risky authors).

Free entries. Each year, we aim to offer a significant number of free entries to our prize, in order to make sure that writers who would like to enter (but cannot afford to) are not excluded. This year, we are happy to say that we were able to offer 200 free entries. These are offered on a first come, first serve basis, and by emailing your request to info@galleybeggar.co.uk (these places are offered for as long as they are available and on trust; we do not need you to supply evidence or to feel that you need to offer an explanation). 

 
Deadlines and announcements

  • The deadline for submissions is midnight of the evening of 8 November 2026 (UK time).

  • On 22 February 2027 a longlist of 10 stories will be announced.

  • On 15 March 2027 a shortlist of 3 stories will be announced.

  • On 29 March 2027 the winner of the 2026/27 Galley Beggar Press Short Story Prize will be announced.

 

Further submission information

  • Submissions must be no longer than 6,000 words.

  • The cost of entry for each short story is £11.

  • Stories that are subsequently withdrawn will not be refunded.

  • By entering this award, you accept the terms and conditions.

  • Please read the terms and conditions for further information on translations, published/unpublished stories, and etc. We have also put together an FAQ page, here.

 

How to enter 

  • To enter the award, click here.