The Next Generation Short Story Awards is a not-for-profit awards program open to authors
writing original unpublished short stories (5,000 words or less per story) in English. Brought to
you by the Next Generation Indie Book Awards (NGIBA) and Independent Book Publishing
Professionals Group (IBPPG), the 2026 Next Generation Short Story Awards offers 30+
categories, and is open to all authors, even first-time authors, in the U.S., Canada or
internationally.
The top short stories will be considered for a cash prize, gold medal, complimentary
invitation to attend the annual NGIBA awards gala where you will be recognized if your
story is a Grand Prize Winner, literary exposure, inclusion in an annual anthology, and
recognition as one of the top short stories written this year!
The Next Generation Short Story Awards will honor and award 1 Winner and 3 Finalists in each
of the 30+ categories and 3 Grand Prize Winners from all entries submitted this year. Winners
and Finalists will receive the following:
Grand Prize Winners: $500 cash prize for 1st plus a trophy; $300 cash prize for 2nd; $200 cash
prize for 3rd. Plus all Grand Prize Winners will receive a gold medal, complimentary invitation
to attend the NGIBA awards gala, story and author bio published in the Anthology of Winners
along with a complimentary copy of the Anthology of Winners.
Winners in each of 30+ Categories: $75 cash prize, gold medal, story and author bio published
in the Anthology of Winners along with a complimentary copy of the Anthology of Winners.
Finalists: Story title and author name mentioned in the Anthology of Winners along with the
Anthology of Winners available to purchase at half price. Beginning with the 2026 awards year, Finalists will be able to order medals.
Other benefits: Exposure for a full year as a Winner or Finalist on the Next Generation Short
Story Awards website, social media coverage, complimentary Winner or Finalist gold award
sticker image to display on writers’ social media, potential literary acknowledgements and
accolades.
The entry deadline date for the 2026 awards program is Thursday, February 26, 2026. We wish everyone
much success with your short stories. Enter today at https://shortstoryawards.com/.
