The Words Faire

The Fiction Prize 2026

The Words Faire Press

Prize $500 + Publication & Featured Interview

We accept submissions of one previously unpublished fiction piece up to 5,000 words. Please do not include any identifying information on the file submission of your piece, only in your cover letter.

TWF runs four prizes annually. All prizes have a $15 entry fee, which includes a complimentary journal subscription. Submissions will be judged anonymously by the editorial staff and final guest judge. All entries are considered for publication, but the winner receives publication, three complimentary author copies, and a $500 honorarium.

The Fiction Prize 2026 Guest Judge: TBA

Please include the following with each submission:  

• A 100-150 word third-person bio, to be used as the contributor’s note should your work be accepted.
• Social media handles (Twitter and Instagram), if you’d like to be promoted online.
• An optional cover letter to introduce the work, yourself, provide some context to your submission; please note that this in no way impacts the likelihood of publication.
• Finally, we would appreciate knowing how you found the prize (social, ad listing, database search, reference, etc).  

The Words Faire is an independent publishing company based out of Dayton, Ohio. Made by creatives for creatives, our goal is to elevate breakout authors, artists and more who need to get their foot in the door of their chosen creative industry. We aim to provide a platform for those who want to reach an audience through our collection of curated worldwide creative excellence. 

TWF does not discriminate based on the background, education, or identity of those who send work to us. All work is evaluated solely on merit, without regard for any other consideration whatsoever. We encourage those of all backgrounds and experiences to send in their work, and look for writing exploring the range of the human condition.  

If you have any questions about the requirements or specifications of the contest review the guidelines on thewordsfaire.com, contact us at thewordsfaire@gmail.com or message us on Instagram HERE.

Independent Press Editorial Director Application (3-Month Position)

Are you a student looking for a remote Internship in the publication industry? Are you a established creative who is looking to accumulate experience for their own ventures and future career opportunities? Do you have time to spare, a burning desire to learn about the publication industry and curate literary excellence from all over the world?
 

The Words Faire Press was founded in order to help breakout creatives and rising authors reach new audiences and gain publication experience, whether that be for the fledgling creative trying their hand at a new art form to the forever writers/artists who have hundreds of publication credits. We are dedicated to opening a door to the publication world, providing accessible knowledge and access to the industry for those who wish to experience what goes on behind the curtain. 

What is the Position?:

Applications are now open for the Editorial Director Role: 

• This is a part-time (2-5 Hours a week), 12-15 week position (with the possibility of extension). 
• The work is on a volunteer-basis, however, there will be paid opportunities to host and curate digital workshops and residencies of which you will retain the majority of the profits (the minority being retained for operating costs and taxes). 
• The work is remote, and can be completed on a flexible weekly basis. 
• One-on-One mentorship with company founder/EIC and weekly progress meetings. 

Check Out our daily digital publication 'The Exhibition' here!

The Editorial Director (after a mentorship training period) will be responsible for: 

• Management of Submittable; the administrative oversight of monthly publication calls, Project Management tasks for designated projects, Tracking/Responding to author queries, and optional assistance to the EIC with quarterly themed print publication (Either an Anthology or Creative Collection of Art and Writing). 

• Weekly digital publication scheduling on The Exhibition; this entails the final reading and evaluating submitted manuscripts (Approving accepted works and declining rejected works), website integration of the accepted pieces for a minimum of 1 publication a day (can be scheduled ahead all at once), pairing literary works with submitted visual accompaniment, final copy editing of formatting, biographies, and SEO optimization. Website changes and updates as required.

• Curation of the Bi-Weekly Publication Newsletter; designating the top publications of the past 2 weeks, design of newsletter components, by-lines and promotional updates (Hosted on Substack).

• Management of volunteer literary reading team; bi-weekly scheduling of assignments and onboarding of new readers as needed, and Working with team to set and maintain a high standard of literary excellence of work published to our international audience. 

• Optional Income Opportunity; The creation and curation of digital workshops and creative residencies and the scheduling and formation of promotional materials. 

Who We Are Looking For: 

This opportunity will be dually considered for those applicants with and without experience, but are able to demonstrate a history of creative and critical projects and driven work-ethic. 

• In your application, please include a biographical statement about you, your background, and why you think this position will benefit your goals. 
• We want to know the real you! What do you like to read? Are you a writer or an artist? Feel free to include a sample of your work. 
• Detail how you foresee the responsibilities for TWF fitting into your weekly schedule. 
• Please include a resume with all relevant experience and credentials. 

If you are selected for the second round of consideration, you will hear from us in order to schedule an interview. 

We look forward to hearing from you. 

What Are We Looking For?

We are accepting B&W visual art and photography submissions for our upcoming print publication:

"A SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR A DYSTOPIAN UTOPIA"  Creative & Critical Collection

A (satirical) compilation of commentary on the state of society, interpersonal communication, post-capitalism, mental health, and over-consumption. 

Guidelines:

• Submit 3-5 high quality JPEG or PNG images for publication consideration. All entries will automatically be considered for the contest winning cover art image.
• ALL IMAGES MUST BE MONOCHROMATIC! Thank you! (If you submit images to us in color, it is with understanding it will be edited to B&W if used in the publication to fit the theme)
• We are looking for personal, thought-provoking, hypnotic, and theme compatible art and photography to publish alongside the writing in this collection.
• Need ideas? Think abstract B&W portrait photography, post-apocalyptic, human or post-human, etc. 

Contest!

The winner of the Cover Image contest will receive a complimentary copy of the book and personal marketing for their professional writing medias during the promotional period for the book release. Two Runner-Ups will be featured as part of the promotional materials for the book release. All artists published in the print collection will receive a complimentary digital copy as well as a shareable discount code for the print version.

How to Submit:

• Include a brief third-person bio (max 100 words) with your submission.
• Include a cover letter with how your work fits the theme of the collection.
  

Rights: The Words Faire seeks first publication rights and the right to archive the collection digitally. All rights revert to the author/artist after publication.

Please review our publication Terms & Conditions below before submitting. 

The Words Faire Press invites submissions of ALL digital art and photography to be featured alongside literary pieces in our Words Faire daily digital publication called 'The Exhibition'', which has a monthly audience of thousands around the globe. We are looking for visual works that enhance and complement the written word—whether through abstract, interpretive, or narrative-driven pieces.

View some of the work published on 'The Exhibition' at thewordsfaire.com/words. 

Submission Guidelines:

• Format: Digital art and photography only. Please provide only high quality images. 
• Rights: All rights remain with the artist. By submitting, you grant us permission to publish your work in our digital publication.
• Theme: Open to any artistic interpretations, though preference may be given to pieces that resonate with the literary tone or themes of the selected writing.

We celebrate all forms of artistic expression and look forward to showcasing your work!

POETRY, PROSE, LITERARY FICTION, GENRE FICTION, SCREEN-PLAYS, SHORT-FICS, ART, COMICS, CREATIVE NONFICTION, EXPERIMENTAL WORK AND MORE!

To allow our team to process the large amount of submissions we have received, Free submissions are open the first week of each month, and the following 3 weeks of the month will be paid submissions. Thank you for helping to support the literary arts!

The Words Faire accepts all forms of creative submissions for online publication to 'THE EXHIBITION', an international collection of creativity and oddities for your viewing pleasure. From cultural work to freeform mind dumps to existentialist poetry to achingly human literary fiction- we want it all. Anything you got. We want to put humanity on our 'stage'. 

The Word’s Faire accepts simultaneous submissions, but please withdraw your submission as soon as it is accepted elsewhere or notify us as soon as possible. 

Please do not send us full manuscripts, this submission opportunity is for digital short form publication. 

Fiction & Creative Nonfiction: 10k Words Max

Poetry & Prose: 12 Pages Max

Please submit fiction in Times New Roman, 12-point font, double-spaced. 

Poetry and Experimental Work can take any formatting liberties, but we do reserve the right to adjust formatting as needed if accepted for publication. 

The Words Faire reserves the right to accept or decline submissions that fit within their current publication standards. To check on the status of your submission, please wait 4 months after the time of your submission before contacting us. Please review the submission requirements before sending them. 

We are thrilled to read your work and hope that it will find a home with our publication. 

Please review the Terms & Conditions before submitting to The Word’s Faire.