Next Generation Short Story Awards
A not-for-profit international awards program for authors of short stories.
Entry deadline: January 28, 2027
Brought to you by the Next Generation Indie Book Awards (the largest book awards program in the world for self-published authors and independent publishers) and Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group
Why you should enter the Next Generation Short Story Awards
30+ Categories
open to all short story authors worldwide
Cash Prizes
plus Gold Medals for all Winners
Inclusion
in a published Anthology for all Winners
Exposure
and valuable literary recognition
Gala invitation
for all Grand Prize Winners to attend the prestigious awards reception being held in conjunction with the Next Generation Indie Book Awards (NGIBA) awards gala
Entries are now being accepted for the 2027 Awards year!
A not-for-profit awards program open to authors writing short stories worldwide is now accepting entries written in English.
Enter by January 28, 2027 to take advantage of this exciting opportunity to have your short story considered for cash prizes, awards, exposure, and recognition as one of the top short stories written this year!
All stories must be submitted digitally (online) by January 28, 2027 to be entered into the 2027 Awards Year.
Cash prizes, awards and recognition
There will be 1 Winner and 3 Finalists in each of the 30+ categories and 3 Grand Prize Winners will be selected from all entries. Grand Prize Winners of the Short Story Awards will be invited to attend the Next Generation Indie Book Awards (NGIBA) annual awards gala to be honored for their winning stories.
Grand Prize Winners:
All Grand Prize Winners receive a gold medal + an invitation to attend NGIBA awards gala + their story published in our Anthology of Winners + receive a complimentary copy of the Anthology, as well as a cash prize:
1st Place
$500 Cash prize
2nd Place
$300 Cash prize
3rd Place
$200 Cash prize
The 1st place Grand Prize Winner will also receive a trophy with the author's name engraved on it.
Winners
$75 cash prize and gold medal + Story published in Anthology of Winners + receive a complimentary copy of the Anthology
Finalists
Name and Title of Story mentioned in Anthology of Winners
Pay and Enter: The 2027 entry fee is $25 per story for the first category entered and $20 for each additional category entered for the same story.
Every element of my experience with the Next Generation Short Story Awards has been pleasurable, and profoundly affirming. From the moment my story, Honeybee and the Sting of Love, won the Romance category, to being awarded third place in the Grand Final, I have felt both celebrated and profoundly impressed by the calibre of the program.
The communication was impeccable, the planning thoughtful and seamless, and being able to tune into the ceremony in Philadelphia all the way from Melbourne, Australia was a joy I'll treasure. This experience has not only honoured my work, but also nourished my confidence as a writer. I am immensely grateful for the generosity and professionalism of all involved.
Honeybee and the Sting of Love
I'd written a few short stories over the years, but this was the first time I'd entered one for an award. In fact, I entered two in the 2025 Next Generation Short Story Awards, and was delighted when both were shortlisted in their respective categories. Further delight followed at the news that my story had won in the History category, and the other was a finalist in the Seniors category. I've been writing for a long time and had one book published in 2019. Another manuscript of historical fiction is ready to go, with a third getting underway. But this award has given me enormous encouragement to continue writing in the short story genre, even as I work on novels. I'm honoured to see my work published in the wonderful 2025 anthology of winners. I look forward to reading them all.
The Name
A State of Grace
I am pleased and honored to receive both a Winner award in the Inspirational Category for my book, The Boy and the Tree and being named a finalist for Better World Blues, two children's books I wrote and submitted to Next Generation Short Story Awards. The recognition is appreciated tremendously, as my hope was to reach as many people as possible and expand my audience. An award such as this from a reputable firm that helps independent authors make their dreams come true, opening doors of further opportunity, is such a positive step in growth and development, encouraging me to continue my storytelling. I am eternally grateful.
Better World Blues
2026 Next Generation Short Story Awards
Anthology of Winners
The Next Generation Short Story Awards brought excellence from around the globe. The judges had difficult decisions to make and the winners have now been named and their stories brought together in the Next Generation Short Story Awards Anthology of Winners, which is a single volume of excellence and is now available for purchase. If you placed as a Winner* or Finalist** you may purchase copies of the Anthology through your Short Story Awards account by clicking the link below.
*Note: All Winners will receive a complimentary copy of the Anthology of Winners. Winners may also purchase additional copies of the Anthology of Winners through their Short Story Awards account for friends, family and more.
**Note: All Finalists have the option to purchase their first copy of the Anthology of Winners for half price (plus shipping) through their Short Story Awards account. Please note that Finalists' stories are not included in the Anthology of Winners, however, their name and story title is included. Finalists can purchase any additional copies of the Anthology of Winners at full price.
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