Limnisa short story competition 2026

As always, our judges faced a familiar dilemma: finding stories that marry compelling craft with subject matter that feels urgent and alive—work that grapples with the questions and tensions of our moment while also demonstrating real command of technique, structure, and voice. Striking that balance is no small feat, and many of you came remarkably close.

We're proud of the range and ambition we saw this year. Whether your story made the final list or not, know that it contributed to a rich and challenging field. Thank you for writing, and for entering.