Which Short Story Competitions Offer Detailed Feedback To Writers?

Question

Heard some competitions offer personalized critiques from judges, which sounds awesome for improving my craft. Which literary magazines or contests provide actual feedback on submissions?

RoryBoone · Answer

For flash fiction, the landscape is different. Contests like 'Microverses' or 'The Bath Flash Fiction Award' often have critique options because reading a 300-word story is fast. The feedback can be surprisingly dense, going line by line. If you're new to contests and want detailed notes, starting with flash fiction might be a smarter, cheaper way to get professional eyes on your writing style and precision without the commitment of a 5,000-word story.

ErinMyers · Answer

Think beyond the English-speaking world. Some of the best feedback I got was from a bilingual contest in Canada. The readers were attuned to linguistic nuance and cultural code-switching in a way a monolingual contest wouldn't be. If your work deals with specific cultural or linguistic textures, seek out contests that celebrate that. The feedback will be more insightful because the judges are reading from within a relevant framework, not as outsiders looking in.

HankAdams · Answer

Many contests offer feedback only as a paid add-on. Before you click that checkbox, ask yourself: Is this contest prestigious enough that making the longlist would be a career win? If yes, the feedback add-on might be worth it as a learning tool, even if you lose. If the contest is obscure, you might be better off submitting to a literary magazine's regular submissions with a critique service. The market recognition of a publication credit is often more valuable than contest feedback from a nobody.

FinnReed · Answer

Sometimes the website itself is the clue. If the contest page is plastered with past winner testimonials gushing about the 'incredible, detailed feedback,' that's a good sign. If it only boasts about the prize money, be skeptical.

Testimonials are marketing, of course, but writers are a cynical bunch. If multiple people independently mention the quality of the notes, there's probably truth to it. We're not easily impressed by fluff.

UrbanHub · Answer

I look for contests where the judges are authors I admire. Even if I don't win, knowing that someone whose work I respect has read my story and formed an opinion is its own reward. The feedback, if it comes, carries more weight. For example, a contest judged by Kelly Link or George Saunders—their critique, however brief, would be a masterclass. So my strategy is to target contests based on the judge, not just the feedback promise. The notes are a bonus from a trusted source.

BlueMoon · Answer

Don't overlook themed anthology calls. While not always billed as a 'contest,' many indie publishers seeking stories for a themed collection will provide personalized rejections if your story was close. They want to encourage you to submit again.

The feedback is driven by an editorial need ('we loved the concept but the ending didn't fit our vibe'), which is incredibly practical. You learn exactly what a specific market wants, which is a form of detailed, market-oriented feedback.

GrantShaw · Answer

Honestly, I think chasing contests for the feedback is a bit of a trap. You'd often be better off taking that entry fee money and hiring a freelance editor for a story critique. You get guaranteed, in-depth attention tailored to your questions, not just whatever a rushed first reader throws together. Contests should be for the prize, prestige, and publication. View any feedback as a lucky bonus, not the primary goal. That mindset saved me a lot of frustration.

LeahCole · Answer

I view feedback-promising contests as a paid critique with a lottery ticket attached. That mindset helps manage expectations. You're primarily buying a professional opinion. If you win, it's a fantastic bonus.

This reframe makes the entry fee easier to swallow. Would you pay $25 for a detailed critique from this judge? If yes, and the contest's reputation is solid, then enter. If the feedback quality is unknown, it's a gamble.

JunoRay · Answer

Hmm, this reminds me I need to check the deadline for the Bristol Prize. I think they offer feedback? Or maybe that's just for shortlisted entries. I should really get my submission folder in order.

WesAsh · Answer

Anthology contests are a cool middle ground. A press will run a contest for stories to include in a themed anthology. If you're shortlisted, you often work with an editor to get the story ready for publication. That editorial process is the ultimate feedback—applied, iterative, and aimed at making your story the best it can be for a real audience. Look for calls from reputable small presses like 'Unsung Stories' or 'Robot Dinosaur Press' for these opportunities.

DaxJones · Answer

The 'Writers' Village' University runs a quarterly contest where every entry receives a full scoring rubric across multiple categories (plot, character, style) with comments. It's almost overkill. For an analytical writer who wants to see their story broken down into components, it's perfect.

It removes the subjectivity mystery. You can see, numerically and verbally, where your strengths and weaknesses lie according to their framework. It's a very structured form of feedback that some will love and others might find too formulaic.

EmmaTate · Answer

I'm pretty skeptical about this premise, honestly. Most high-profile competitions that promise 'feedback' are upselling an expensive add-on service. You pay $50 to enter, then another $30 for a paragraph of vague notes from a first-round reader. It feels transactional, not developmental.

Genuine, thoughtful critique requires time and care, which judges for massive contests simply don't have. You're better off investing that entry fee money into a proper critique group or a professional editing service where feedback is the actual product, not a side perk of a lottery ticket.

Which Short Story Competitions Offer Detailed Feedback To Writers?

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