Short Fiction Contest Details

February 22nd, 2013

.

.

photo Creative Commons Zero – CC0

photo Creative Commons Zero – CC0

.

.

“The act of writing requires a constant plunging back into the shadow of the past where time hovers ghostlike.”

– Ralph Ellison

.

.

.

.

___

.

.

The Jerry Jazz Musician Short Fiction Contest was first held in 2002.  Since then, three times a year Jerry Jazz Musician has awarded a writer who submits, in our opinion, the best original, previously unpublished work of short fiction.

The Jerry Jazz Musician reader has interests in music, social history, literature, politics, art, film and theater, particularly that of the counter-culture of mid-twentieth century America.  Our newsletter subscribers include publishers, artists, musicians, and fellow writers.  While your writing should appeal to a reader with these interests and in these creative professions, all story themes are considered.

Winning stories are announced on the home page of Jerry Jazz Musician, and it will reside on the website permanently.  Jerry Jazz Musician also nominates writers for the Pushcart Prize.  In addition to publishing the winning story, with the consent of the author, we frequently publish short-listed stories.

.

Contest details

No entry fee is required. One story entry only.  Simultaneous submissions are accepted.

The contest is open to entrants from anywhere in the world (English language only please)

A prize of $150 will be awarded for the winning story.

In addition to the story being published on Jerry Jazz Musician, the author’s acceptance of the prize money gives Jerry Jazz Musician the right to include the story in an anthology that could appear in book or magazine form.  All other ownership rights are retained by the author.  If story appears subsequently in other publications, we ask authors to note that the story was originally published on Jerry Jazz Musician.

Submission deadline for the next contest — our 68th — is January 31, 2025.  Publishing date will be on or about April 10, 2025.  Ideally, stories will not exceed 3,000 words but stories of up to 4,000 words are considered.

Please submit your story by January 31, 2025 via Word (preferred) or PDF attachment to [email protected], and be sure to include your name, address and phone number with your submission, as well as a brief 50 – 100 word story synopsis.  Please include “Short Fiction Contest Submission” in the subject heading of the email.

We accept human created entries only…

NO SUBMISSIONS GENERATED OR ASSISTED BY A.I. ARE CONSIDERED. 

.

Good luck!

.

.

Click here to read full publishing terms and conditions

.

Click here to read “Not From Around Here” by Jeff Dingler, the winning story in the 66th edition of the Jerry Jazz Musician Short Fiction Contest

.

Click here to view the six writers nominated by Jerry Jazz Musician for the 2023 Pushcart Prize

.

.

___

.

.

 

Jerry Jazz Musician…human produced (and AI-free) since 1999

.

.

.

Share this:
Tags:

60 comments on “Short Fiction Contest Details”

  1. I was surprised to read the winning short story. Since jerry jazz is a jazz magazine I assumed that the story had to concern jazz. I will submit a different story this time.

    Reply

  2. Where must you live to be able to enter? The prize is in dollars so I’m wondering if I have to live in America? Or is this a global competition?

    Reply

  3. I’ve been lucky enough to have been published here, a couple years ago.

    What a class organization.

    I’ve never opened this site that I have not been bowled over by something here… an article, someone else’s short story, a music clip… everything is really first class.

    I’ll be happy to submit something every time I can and read through in between entries.

    You folks should be well-deservedly proud of what you do here.

    Continued success and sweet artistic dreams!

    – A fan!

    Reply

    2. I’ve just discovered this site – well, about four hours ago. That was four hours of fun and a feeling of general awesomeness, not only at the quality of the stuff on here, but the wide range of topics. Consequently, I just want to say how much I agree with “A Fan” 😉
      That’s it, I’m hooked. Now go away, I have plenty to think about and even more to catch up with.
      Cheers, Andy

      Reply

    1. Yes…This contest is ongoing. Please see the information on this page for details. I just updated them to address your questions. Good luck!

      Reply
  5. Pingback: TWP’s Weekly Writing Post 2014 April 20-26 Edition | The Writing Pool
  6. Pingback: TWP’s Weekly Writing Post 2014 April 27-May 3 Edition | The Writing Pool
  7. Pingback: TWP Weekly Writing Post 2014 May 4-10 Edition | The Writing Pool
  8. Pingback: The Writing Pool’s Weekly Writing Post 2014 May 11-17 Edition | The Writing Pool
  9. Pingback: TWP Weekly Writing Post 2014 May 18-24 Edition | The Writing Pool
  10. Pingback: Sub Ops Ten - Dj Matioka Blog
  11. Pingback: TWP Weekly Writing Post 2014 May 25-31 edition | The Writing Pool

  12. I’m wondering if simultaneous submissions are okay, and if you send rejections? Thank you so much.

    Reply

    1. Yes…Simultaneous submissions are fine, and we do send out rejection notices at the time the winning entry is announced.

      Reply

    1. Yes…Simultaneous submissions are fine, and we do send out rejection notices at the time the winning entry is announced.

      Reply

  15. […] Jerry Jazz Musician Fiction Contest. “The Jerry Jazz Musician reader has interests in music, social history, literature, politics, art, film and theater, particularly that of the counter-culture of mid-twentieth century America.” Genre: previously unpublished work of short fiction. Prize: $100.00. Deadline: January 31, 2017. […]

    Reply
  16. Pingback: 3 Writing Contests | Cindy's Notebook
  18. Pingback: Writing Contests – Part Time Scribe

  20. Hi, he name of the competition is “short FICTION contest” but people are only talking about short stories. Are other prose form accepted. Something along stream of consciousness or just random expression of thoughts or incidence?

    Reply
  22. Pingback: Tracy Glastrong

  25. […] to 5,000 words will be considered. Value: $100 Deadline: 31 May 2018 Open for: All writers Details here. Southern Fried Karma Press Novel […]

    Reply
  26. Pingback: 20 Free Writing Contests With Cash Prizes

  27. Hello! I was just wondering when and where will the winners of the competition held in May 31, 2018 will be announced. Thank You!

    Reply

  28. […] Jerry Jazz Musician Short Fiction Contest Stories can be on any theme and should ideally be up to 3,000 words, though those up to 5,000 words will be considered. Readers of this magazine are interested in music, social history, literature, politics, art, film and theater, particularly that of the counter-culture of mid-twentieth century America. Value: $100 Deadline: 30 September 2018 Open for: All writers Details here. […]

    Reply
  29. Pingback: 18 Free Writing Contests With Cash Prizes for September 2018
  30. Pingback: 19 Free Writing Contests With Cash Prizes for January 2019 (Up to $100,000)
  31. Pingback: Comps and calls for September 2019 – Cathy's Comps and Calls
  32. Pingback: Jerry Jazz Musician Short Fiction Contest - Creative Writing Ink Ireland Creative Writing Ink Ireland
  33. Pingback: 29 Contests for Writers in January 2020
  34. Pingback: 26 Free Writing Contests With Cash Prizes (Up to $50,000)
  35. Pingback: Jerry Jazz Musician Contest/ How to Submit (Prize: $100) - Creative Writing News
  36. Pingback: Comps and calls for September 2020 – Cathy's Comps and Calls
  39. Pingback: Submit to the Jerry Jazz Musician Contest - ELSiEiSY blog
  40. Pingback: 22 Free Writing Contests/Fellowships with Cash Prizes ($100 to $100,000)
  41. Pingback: Comps and calls for May 2021 – Cathy's Comps and Calls
  42. Pingback: 26 Free Writing Contests With Cash Prizes (Up to $20,000)
  43. Pingback: Comps and calls for January 2022 – Cathy's Comps and Calls

  44. Hi,
    The rules indicate that it is possible to make multiple submissions, but only one entry is permitted.
    Could you please clarify whether it is possible to enter more than one voice of fiction?
    Thank you.

    Reply

    1. Submit one story only, please…You may of course submit that same story, simultaneously, to other publications.

      Thanks.

      Joe

      Reply

Comment on this article:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Your Support is Appreciated

Jerry Jazz Musician has been commercial-free since its inception in 1999. Your generous donation helps it remain that way. Thanks very much for your kind consideration.

Site Archive

In This Issue

Announcing the book publication of Kinds of Cool: An Interactive Collection of Jazz Poetry...The first Jerry Jazz Musician poetry anthology published in book form includes 90 poems by 47 poets from all over the world, and features the brilliant artwork of Marsha Hammel and a foreword by Jack Kerouac’s musical collaborator David Amram. The collection is “interactive” (and quite unique) because it invites readers – through the use of QR codes printed on many of the book’s pages – to link to selected readings by the poets themselves, as well as to historic audio and video recordings (via YouTube) relevant to many of the poems, offering a holistic experience with the culture of jazz.

Feature

“What one song best represents your expectations for 2025?” Readers respond...When asked to name the song that best represents their expectations for 2025, respondents often cited songs of protest and of the civil rights era, but so were songs of optimism and appreciation, including Bob Thiele and George David Weiss’ composition “What a Wonderful World,” made famous by Louis Armstrong, who first performed it live in 1959. The result is a fascinating and extensive outlook on the upcoming year.

The Sunday Poem

art by Allen Mezquida

“Jazz clouds under the undulating sky of Riga while digging the Epistrophy of Thelonious Monk” by Namaya


The Sunday Poem is published weekly, and strives to include the poet reading their work....

Namaya reads his poem at its conclusion


Click here to read previous editions of The Sunday Poem

Feature

photo of Rudy Van Gelder via Blue Note Records
“Rudy Van Gelder: Jazz Music’s Recording Angel” – by Joel Lewis...For over 60 years, the legendary recording engineer Rudy Van Gelder devoted himself to the language of sound. And although he recorded everything from glee clubs to classical music, he was best known for recording jazz – specifically the musicians associated with Blue Note and Prestige records. Joel Lewis writes about his impact on the sound of jazz, and what has become of his Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey studio.

Poetry

photo of Charlie Parker by William Gottlieb/Library of Congress; Design by Rhonda R. Dorsett
Jerrice J. Baptiste’s 2025 Jazz Poetry Calendar...Jerrice J. Baptiste’s 12-month 2025 calendar of jazz poetry winds through the upcoming year with her poetic grace while inviting us to wander through music by the likes of Hoagy Carmichael, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Sarah Vaughan, Melody Gardot and Charlie Parker.

Interview

Interview with Jonathon Grasse: author of Jazz Revolutionary: The Life and Music of Eric Dolphy....The multi-instrumentalist Eric Dolphy was a pioneer of avant-garde technique. His life cut short in 1964 at the age of 36, his brilliant career touched fellow musical artists, critics, and fans through his innovative work as a composer, sideman and bandleader. Jonathon Grasse’s Jazz Revolutionary is a significant exploration of Dolphy’s historic recorded works, and reminds readers of the complexity of his biography along the way. Grasse discusses his book in a December, 2024 interview.

Feature

Excerpts from David Rife’s Jazz Fiction: Take Two – Vol. 9: “Heroic Quests”...A substantial number of novels and stories with jazz music as a component of the story have been published over the years, and the scholar David J. Rife has written short essay/reviews of them. In this ninth edition of excerpts from his book, Rife writes about the “quest” theme in contemporary jazz fiction, where long-lost instruments and rumored recordings take the place of more dramatic artifacts like the Holy Grail.

Feature

On the Turntable — The “Best Of the ‘Best Of’” in 2024 jazz recordings...Our annual year-end compilation of jazz albums oft mentioned by a wide range of critics as being the best of 2024

In Memoriam

photo via Pexels.com
“Departures to the Final Arms Hotel in 2024” – poetic tributes, by Terrance Underwood...2024 produced its share of losses of legendary jazz musicians. Terrance Underwood pays poetic homage to a handful who have touched his life, imagining their admittance to the Final Arms Hotel, a destination he introduces in his prelude.

Short Fiction

Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons/blur effect added
Short Fiction Contest-winning story #67 — “Bluesette,” by Salvatore Difalco...The author’s award-winning story is a semi-satirical mood piece about a heartbroken man in Europe listening to a recording by the harmonica player Toots Thielemans while under the influence of a mind-altering substance.

Interview

Interview with James Kaplan, author of 3 Shades of Blue: Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Bill Evans and the Lost Empire of Cool...The esteemed writer tells a vibrant story about the jazz world before, during, and after the 1959 recording of Kind of Blue, and how the album’s three genius musicians came together, played together, and grew together (and often apart) throughout the experience.

Community

Nominations for the Pushcart Prize XLIX...Announcing the six writers nominated for the Pushcart Prize v. XLIX, whose work was published in Jerry Jazz Musician during 2024.

Publisher’s Notes

photo by Rhonda Dorsett
On turning 70, and contemplating the future of Jerry Jazz Musician...

Feature

“Gone Guy: Jazz’s Unsung Dodo Marmarosa,” by Michael Zimecki...The writer remembers the late jazz musician Michael “Dodo” Marmarosa, awarded Esquire Magazine’s New Star Award in 1947, and who critics predicted would dominate the jazz scene for the next 30 years.

Community

Notes on Bob Hecht’s book, Stolen Moments: A Photographer’s Personal Journey...Some thoughts on a new book of photography by frequent Jerry Jazz Musician contributing writer Bob Hecht

Art

“The Jazz Dive” – the art of Allen Mezquida...The artist's work is inspired by the counterculture music from the 1950s and 60s, resulting in art “that resonates with both eyes and ears.” It is unique and creative and worth a look…

True Jazz Stories

Columbia Records; via Wikimedia Commons
“An Evening with Michael Bloomfield” – a true blues story by David Eugene Everard...The author recounts his experience meeting and interviewing the great blues guitarist Mike Bloomfield in 1974…

Playlist

“Quintets – Gimme Five!” – a playlist by Bob Hecht...The Cannonball Adderley Quintet, on the cover of their 1960 Riverside Records album Live at the Lighthouse. The ensemble – including Cannonball’s brother Nat on cornet, Victor Feldman on piano, Sam Jones on bass, and Louis Hayes on drums – is a classic hard bop band, and their performance of “Blue Daniel” is part of the 22-song playlist consisting of memorable quintet performances assembled by jazz scholar Bob Hecht.

Interview

Interview with Larry Tye, author of The Jazzmen: How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie Transformed America...The author talks about his book, an intensely researched, spirited, and beautifully told story – and an important reminder that Armstrong, Ellington, and Basie all defied and overcame racial boundaries “by opening America’s eyes and souls to the magnificence of their music.”

Feature

photo of Art Tatum by William Gottlieb/Library of Congress
Trading Fours, with Douglas Cole, No. 22: “Energy Man, or, God is in the House”...In this edition of an occasional series of the writer’s poetic interpretations of jazz recordings and film, Douglas Cole writes about the genius of Art Tatum. His reading is accompanied by the guitarist Chris Broberg.

Short Fiction

photo by Jes Mugley/CC BY-SA 2.0
“The Dancer’s Walk” – a short story by Franklyn Ajaye...The world-renowned saxophonist Deja Blue grew up a sad, melancholy person who could only express his feelings through his music. When he meets a beautiful woman who sweeps him off his feet, will his reluctance to share his feelings and emotion cost him the love of his life?

Feature

photo of Zoot Sims by Brian McMillen
Jazz History Quiz #178...In addition to co-leading a quintet with Zoot Sims (pictured), this tenor saxophonist may be best known as the man who replaced Herbie Steward as one of the “Four Brothers” in Woody Herman’s Second Herd. Who is he?

Art

photo of Johnny Griffin by Giovanni Piesco
The Photographs of Giovanni Piesco: Johnny Griffin and Von Freeman...Beginning in 1990, the noted photographer Giovanni Piesco began taking backstage photographs of many of the great musicians who played in Amsterdam’s Bimhuis, that city’s main jazz venue which is considered one of the finest in the world. Jerry Jazz Musician will occasionally publish portraits of jazz musicians that Giovanni has taken over the years. This edition is of saxophonists Johnny Griffin and Von Freeman, who appeared together at the at Bimhuis on June 25/26, 1999.

Essay

“Like a Girl Saying Yes: The Sound of Bix” – an essay by Malcolm McCollum...The first time Benny Goodman heard Bix Beiderbecke play cornet, he wondered, “My God, what planet, what galaxy, did this guy come from?” What was it about this musician that captivated and astonished so many for so long – and still does?

Community

photo via Picryl.com
“Community Bookshelf” is a twice-yearly space where writers who have been published on Jerry Jazz Musician can share news about their recently authored books and/or recordings. This edition includes information about books published within the last six months or so (March – September, 2024)

Contributing Writers

Click the image to view the writers, poets and artists whose work has been published on Jerry Jazz Musician, and find links to their work

Coming Soon

An interview with Phil Freeman, author of In the Brewing Luminous: The Life & Music of Cecil Taylor...An interview with Ricky Riccardi, author of Stomp Off, Let's Go: The Early Years of Louis Armstrong. Also, a new Jazz History Quiz, and lots of short fiction; poetry; photography; interviews; playlists; and much more in the works...

Interview Archive

Ella Fitzgerald/IISG, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Click to view the complete 25-year archive of Jerry Jazz Musician interviews, including those recently published with Judith Tick on Ella Fitzgerald (pictured),; Laura Flam and Emily Sieu Liebowitz on the Girl Groups of the 60's; Tad Richards on Small Group Swing; Stephanie Stein Crease on Chick Webb; Brent Hayes Edwards on Henry Threadgill; Richard Koloda on Albert Ayler; Glenn Mott on Stanley Crouch; Richard Carlin and Ken Bloom on Eubie Blake; Richard Brent Turner on jazz and Islam; Alyn Shipton on the art of jazz; Shawn Levy on the original queens of standup comedy; Travis Atria on the expatriate trumpeter Arthur Briggs; Kitt Shapiro on her life with her mother, Eartha Kitt; Will Friedwald on Nat King Cole; Wayne Enstice on the drummer Dottie Dodgion; the drummer Joe La Barbera on Bill Evans; Philip Clark on Dave Brubeck; Nicholas Buccola on James Baldwin and William F. Buckley; Ricky Riccardi on Louis Armstrong; Dan Morgenstern and Christian Sands on Erroll Garner; Maria Golia on Ornette Coleman.