Ink of Ages Fiction Prize 2026

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 Full details 

If you write historical or mythology-inspired short fiction, you can enter a story under 2,000 words to win some great prizes from World History Encyclopedia and Oxford University Press!


Our contest is free to enter and we accept submissions in English from anywhere in the world.

Submissions open 28 July – 29 Aug 2025

Ink of Ages Fiction Prize is run by World History Encyclopedia and generously sponsored by Oxford University Press.

Contest Timeline

28 July – 29 August 2025

Open to Submissions

Send us your historical or mythology-inspired short fiction. We can't wait to hear from you!

17 November 2025

Longlist Announced

We'll email you if you make our longlist and publish your name on the WHE website.

12 January 2026

Shortlist Announced

We'll email you if you make our shortlist and celebrate you on the WHE website and socials.

23 February 2026

Winners Announced

We'll email you if you're a prizewinner and celebrate you on the WHE website and socials.

Dates subject to change, but we try not to!

Prizes

Get Published

Your short story will be published and promoted to over 7 million monthly readers around the globe.

Cash Prize

We're offering a $1,000 USD cash prize to the first place winner of the adult contest.

History Books

Oxford University Press is sponsoring a shipment of history books for every winner.

Merchandising

A selection of clothing, accessories, map posters and more shipped to you from the WHE Store.

Custom Content

Personalized map, family tree or infographic published on World History Encyclopedia.

Lifetime Membership

Lifetime membership to WHE for an ad-free experience and our monthly members magazine.

 

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