Short Story Contest 2025: Home

Entries will open on September 27! Submit your story here: HCL Short Story Contest 2025

• Submit an original short story up to 5,000 words long. 
• Stories should have numbered pages. 
• Content cannot be vulgar, offensive or contain profanity. Stories must be the original, individual work of the entrant.
• Categories: Adults, Teens, and Children 12 and Under
• Winners will be announced on November 19th during our optional Short Story Reading & Awards Ceremony at North County Library (see Event Calendar at www.hclibrary.us for more details). They will also be informed via email following the event.
• Prizes will be awarded to the winners and runners-up!
• The last day to submit your short story is Sunday, October 26th.

Questions? Email tfurnari@hclibrary.us or call the North County Library at 908-730-6135.

September 27 - October 26: Entries open. Submit your entries online here: 

November 4 - December 2:  Short stories will be on display at the North County library as well as here on our Virtual Gallery.

November 19, 6:00-8:00PM: Short Story Reading & Awards Ceremony. Join us to hear short stories written by members of our community. Come to read a scene of a short story or sit back and enjoy the readings. Contest participants and non-participants alike are welcome to share their work. Copies of short stories featured in our display will be available upon request. We will be announcing the winners and runners-up (and award prizes!) for each category: Adult, Teens, Children 12 and Under. Register for this event.

Adult and Teen Category Prizes: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place will receive a gift card to Scout's Coffee Bar & Mercantile in High Bridge, New Jersey. They will also receive a certificate of participation.

Children's Category Prizes: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place will receive a gift card to Humdoo Ice Cream in Flemington, New Jersey. They will also receive a certificate of participation.

This program is generously sponsored by FOHCL, Friends of the Hunterdon County Library.