Desperate Literature
@desperatelit.bsky.social
International bookshop
🌟 GRAND (RE)OPENING MAY 10th
12h - 21h
🌟 GRAND (RE)OPENING MAY 10th
12h - 21h
THE 2025 SHORTLIST:
"Generous, soulful distillations. A tasting flight of prosaic kerosene. Each story ignited a flare in a forsaken corner of my mind. I can’t wait to experience more from these voices."
—Henry Hoke, judge
Get the pdf or pre-order the book: desperateliterature.com/product/elev...
"Generous, soulful distillations. A tasting flight of prosaic kerosene. Each story ignited a flare in a forsaken corner of my mind. I can’t wait to experience more from these voices."
—Henry Hoke, judge
Get the pdf or pre-order the book: desperateliterature.com/product/elev...
August 12, 2025 at 2:33 PM
THE 2025 SHORTLIST:
"Generous, soulful distillations. A tasting flight of prosaic kerosene. Each story ignited a flare in a forsaken corner of my mind. I can’t wait to experience more from these voices."
—Henry Hoke, judge
Get the pdf or pre-order the book: desperateliterature.com/product/elev...
"Generous, soulful distillations. A tasting flight of prosaic kerosene. Each story ignited a flare in a forsaken corner of my mind. I can’t wait to experience more from these voices."
—Henry Hoke, judge
Get the pdf or pre-order the book: desperateliterature.com/product/elev...
Ottessa Moshfegh said of the winning story: a "tender and haunting" story exploring "themes of isolation, vulnerability, and connection across literal and figurative borders."
Akella was a recipient of a sponsored entry to the prize and his tale of queer love and ghosts won our hearts.
Akella was a recipient of a sponsored entry to the prize and his tale of queer love and ghosts won our hearts.
August 12, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Ottessa Moshfegh said of the winning story: a "tender and haunting" story exploring "themes of isolation, vulnerability, and connection across literal and figurative borders."
Akella was a recipient of a sponsored entry to the prize and his tale of queer love and ghosts won our hearts.
Akella was a recipient of a sponsored entry to the prize and his tale of queer love and ghosts won our hearts.
ANNOUNCING THE WINNERS of the 2025 Short Fiction Prize
Shastri Akella takes the winning spot with ‘The Border Country,' a ‘tender and haunting’ story of queer love on the Kashmir border.
Runners-up are Swithun Cooper and Alisha Dietzman.
Shastri Akella takes the winning spot with ‘The Border Country,' a ‘tender and haunting’ story of queer love on the Kashmir border.
Runners-up are Swithun Cooper and Alisha Dietzman.
August 12, 2025 at 2:33 PM
ANNOUNCING THE WINNERS of the 2025 Short Fiction Prize
Shastri Akella takes the winning spot with ‘The Border Country,' a ‘tender and haunting’ story of queer love on the Kashmir border.
Runners-up are Swithun Cooper and Alisha Dietzman.
Shastri Akella takes the winning spot with ‘The Border Country,' a ‘tender and haunting’ story of queer love on the Kashmir border.
Runners-up are Swithun Cooper and Alisha Dietzman.
THE LAST DAY TO ENTER!
Prizes: €2000 & 1000€, residencies
at Civitella Ranieri and (NEW) at DL in Madrid, a manuscript assessment w/ @thelitconsultancy.bsky.social, publication, salons, and more...
desperateliterature.com/prize
Prizes: €2000 & 1000€, residencies
at Civitella Ranieri and (NEW) at DL in Madrid, a manuscript assessment w/ @thelitconsultancy.bsky.social, publication, salons, and more...
desperateliterature.com/prize
April 30, 2025 at 7:41 AM
THE LAST DAY TO ENTER!
Prizes: €2000 & 1000€, residencies
at Civitella Ranieri and (NEW) at DL in Madrid, a manuscript assessment w/ @thelitconsultancy.bsky.social, publication, salons, and more...
desperateliterature.com/prize
Prizes: €2000 & 1000€, residencies
at Civitella Ranieri and (NEW) at DL in Madrid, a manuscript assessment w/ @thelitconsultancy.bsky.social, publication, salons, and more...
desperateliterature.com/prize
@minorlits.bsky.social recently ran an interview with our judge Henry Hoke: tinyurl.com/5dck3a6n
"What is urgent to the writer? That’s really exciting to me in judging. I’m a small plates person. I like a little concentrated bite of something."
Submit your work: desperateliterature.com/prize
"What is urgent to the writer? That’s really exciting to me in judging. I’m a small plates person. I like a little concentrated bite of something."
Submit your work: desperateliterature.com/prize
April 29, 2025 at 3:17 PM
@minorlits.bsky.social recently ran an interview with our judge Henry Hoke: tinyurl.com/5dck3a6n
"What is urgent to the writer? That’s really exciting to me in judging. I’m a small plates person. I like a little concentrated bite of something."
Submit your work: desperateliterature.com/prize
"What is urgent to the writer? That’s really exciting to me in judging. I’m a small plates person. I like a little concentrated bite of something."
Submit your work: desperateliterature.com/prize
🔥Partner Journal Shoutout🔥
Presenting Minor Literature(s)
@minorlits.bsky.social, an online journal specializing in experimental prose.
Surprising, bold, cutting-edge, vital...
For a chance to have your work published by this literary great, submit today:
desperateliterature.com/prize
Presenting Minor Literature(s)
@minorlits.bsky.social, an online journal specializing in experimental prose.
Surprising, bold, cutting-edge, vital...
For a chance to have your work published by this literary great, submit today:
desperateliterature.com/prize
April 29, 2025 at 3:17 PM
🔥Partner Journal Shoutout🔥
Presenting Minor Literature(s)
@minorlits.bsky.social, an online journal specializing in experimental prose.
Surprising, bold, cutting-edge, vital...
For a chance to have your work published by this literary great, submit today:
desperateliterature.com/prize
Presenting Minor Literature(s)
@minorlits.bsky.social, an online journal specializing in experimental prose.
Surprising, bold, cutting-edge, vital...
For a chance to have your work published by this literary great, submit today:
desperateliterature.com/prize
Last year's runner-up Amanda Hildebrandt had her story 'No Safe Place' published by the journal. In 2021, Phillippa Finkemeyer's 'Cables' got selected. Read these and other stories from the prize with our partner journals!
desperateliterature.com/previous-win...
Submit your own stories now!
desperateliterature.com/previous-win...
Submit your own stories now!
April 28, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Last year's runner-up Amanda Hildebrandt had her story 'No Safe Place' published by the journal. In 2021, Phillippa Finkemeyer's 'Cables' got selected. Read these and other stories from the prize with our partner journals!
desperateliterature.com/previous-win...
Submit your own stories now!
desperateliterature.com/previous-win...
Submit your own stories now!
⚡Partner Journal Shoutout⚡
Kill Your Darlings
Next up is Australian mag @kydmagazine.bsky.social! They're so much more than a lit journal. They have a whole spectrum of editorial services, classes, and content meant to help writers reach their full potential.
desperateliterature.com/prize
Kill Your Darlings
Next up is Australian mag @kydmagazine.bsky.social! They're so much more than a lit journal. They have a whole spectrum of editorial services, classes, and content meant to help writers reach their full potential.
desperateliterature.com/prize
April 28, 2025 at 7:33 PM
⚡Partner Journal Shoutout⚡
Kill Your Darlings
Next up is Australian mag @kydmagazine.bsky.social! They're so much more than a lit journal. They have a whole spectrum of editorial services, classes, and content meant to help writers reach their full potential.
desperateliterature.com/prize
Kill Your Darlings
Next up is Australian mag @kydmagazine.bsky.social! They're so much more than a lit journal. They have a whole spectrum of editorial services, classes, and content meant to help writers reach their full potential.
desperateliterature.com/prize
April 28, 2025 at 10:15 AM
You can read many previously shortlisted stories for free on our website, and you can also buy the books!
The Eleven Stories anthologies 2018-2024 are available in pdf or print form.
Buying a copy gets you a discount on your 2025 entry 😉
desperateliterature.com/product/sext...
The Eleven Stories anthologies 2018-2024 are available in pdf or print form.
Buying a copy gets you a discount on your 2025 entry 😉
desperateliterature.com/product/sext...
April 23, 2025 at 9:03 AM
You can read many previously shortlisted stories for free on our website, and you can also buy the books!
The Eleven Stories anthologies 2018-2024 are available in pdf or print form.
Buying a copy gets you a discount on your 2025 entry 😉
desperateliterature.com/product/sext...
The Eleven Stories anthologies 2018-2024 are available in pdf or print form.
Buying a copy gets you a discount on your 2025 entry 😉
desperateliterature.com/product/sext...
Hear what 2024 winner Sukie Wilson and runner-up
@richiejones.bsky.social have to say about the Prize...
desperateliterature.com/prize
@richiejones.bsky.social have to say about the Prize...
desperateliterature.com/prize
April 23, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Hear what 2024 winner Sukie Wilson and runner-up
@richiejones.bsky.social have to say about the Prize...
desperateliterature.com/prize
@richiejones.bsky.social have to say about the Prize...
desperateliterature.com/prize
Shortlisters have the chance to be published in one of our partner journals.
This year, we are working with @minorlits.bsky.social, @gorsejournal.bsky.social, Kill Your Darlings, Helter Skelter, Protoype, @thelondonmagazine.bsky.social & Tenement Press.
desperateliterature.com/prize
This year, we are working with @minorlits.bsky.social, @gorsejournal.bsky.social, Kill Your Darlings, Helter Skelter, Protoype, @thelondonmagazine.bsky.social & Tenement Press.
desperateliterature.com/prize
April 23, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Shortlisters have the chance to be published in one of our partner journals.
This year, we are working with @minorlits.bsky.social, @gorsejournal.bsky.social, Kill Your Darlings, Helter Skelter, Protoype, @thelondonmagazine.bsky.social & Tenement Press.
desperateliterature.com/prize
This year, we are working with @minorlits.bsky.social, @gorsejournal.bsky.social, Kill Your Darlings, Helter Skelter, Protoype, @thelondonmagazine.bsky.social & Tenement Press.
desperateliterature.com/prize
The 2025 Prize is judged by Mariana Enríquez, Henry Hoke (@henryhoke.bsky.social), and Ottessa Moshfegh.
For a chance to get your work in front of their eyes, enter at desperateliterature.com/prize
For a chance to get your work in front of their eyes, enter at desperateliterature.com/prize
April 23, 2025 at 9:03 AM
The 2025 Prize is judged by Mariana Enríquez, Henry Hoke (@henryhoke.bsky.social), and Ottessa Moshfegh.
For a chance to get your work in front of their eyes, enter at desperateliterature.com/prize
For a chance to get your work in front of their eyes, enter at desperateliterature.com/prize
OTHER PRIZES
✅10-day residency at Desperate Literature
✅Invitation to the European Writers Salon, Brussels (@saloneurope.bsky.social)
✅1-yr access to @thelitconsultancy.bsky.social
"Being a Writer" platform
desperateliterature.com/prize
✅10-day residency at Desperate Literature
✅Invitation to the European Writers Salon, Brussels (@saloneurope.bsky.social)
✅1-yr access to @thelitconsultancy.bsky.social
"Being a Writer" platform
desperateliterature.com/prize
April 23, 2025 at 9:03 AM
OTHER PRIZES
✅10-day residency at Desperate Literature
✅Invitation to the European Writers Salon, Brussels (@saloneurope.bsky.social)
✅1-yr access to @thelitconsultancy.bsky.social
"Being a Writer" platform
desperateliterature.com/prize
✅10-day residency at Desperate Literature
✅Invitation to the European Writers Salon, Brussels (@saloneurope.bsky.social)
✅1-yr access to @thelitconsultancy.bsky.social
"Being a Writer" platform
desperateliterature.com/prize
RUNNERS-UP:
✅1000€
✅Pub. in Eleven Stories + one of 7 partner journals
✅Fame&Glory
✅Meeting with agent @teddyfromtheblock.bsky.social
(Johnson & Alcock)
desperateliterature.com/prize
✅1000€
✅Pub. in Eleven Stories + one of 7 partner journals
✅Fame&Glory
✅Meeting with agent @teddyfromtheblock.bsky.social
(Johnson & Alcock)
desperateliterature.com/prize
April 23, 2025 at 9:03 AM
RUNNERS-UP:
✅1000€
✅Pub. in Eleven Stories + one of 7 partner journals
✅Fame&Glory
✅Meeting with agent @teddyfromtheblock.bsky.social
(Johnson & Alcock)
desperateliterature.com/prize
✅1000€
✅Pub. in Eleven Stories + one of 7 partner journals
✅Fame&Glory
✅Meeting with agent @teddyfromtheblock.bsky.social
(Johnson & Alcock)
desperateliterature.com/prize
WINNER
✅2000€
✅A week at the magnificent Civitella Ranieri residency
✅Manuscript assessment with @thelitconsultancy.bsky.social and meeting with agent @teddyfromtheblock.bsky.social
(Johnson & Alcock)
✅Pub. in Eleven Stories + one of 7 partner journals
desperateliterature.com/prize
✅2000€
✅A week at the magnificent Civitella Ranieri residency
✅Manuscript assessment with @thelitconsultancy.bsky.social and meeting with agent @teddyfromtheblock.bsky.social
(Johnson & Alcock)
✅Pub. in Eleven Stories + one of 7 partner journals
desperateliterature.com/prize
April 23, 2025 at 9:03 AM
WINNER
✅2000€
✅A week at the magnificent Civitella Ranieri residency
✅Manuscript assessment with @thelitconsultancy.bsky.social and meeting with agent @teddyfromtheblock.bsky.social
(Johnson & Alcock)
✅Pub. in Eleven Stories + one of 7 partner journals
desperateliterature.com/prize
✅2000€
✅A week at the magnificent Civitella Ranieri residency
✅Manuscript assessment with @thelitconsultancy.bsky.social and meeting with agent @teddyfromtheblock.bsky.social
(Johnson & Alcock)
✅Pub. in Eleven Stories + one of 7 partner journals
desperateliterature.com/prize
ONE WEEK LEFT TO ENTER!
Prizes: €2000 & 1000€, residencies
Civitella Ranieri and (NEW) at DL in Madrid, manuscript assessment w/ @thelitconsultancy.bsky.social, publication, salons, and more...
desperateliterature.com/prize
Prizes: €2000 & 1000€, residencies
Civitella Ranieri and (NEW) at DL in Madrid, manuscript assessment w/ @thelitconsultancy.bsky.social, publication, salons, and more...
desperateliterature.com/prize
April 23, 2025 at 9:03 AM
ONE WEEK LEFT TO ENTER!
Prizes: €2000 & 1000€, residencies
Civitella Ranieri and (NEW) at DL in Madrid, manuscript assessment w/ @thelitconsultancy.bsky.social, publication, salons, and more...
desperateliterature.com/prize
Prizes: €2000 & 1000€, residencies
Civitella Ranieri and (NEW) at DL in Madrid, manuscript assessment w/ @thelitconsultancy.bsky.social, publication, salons, and more...
desperateliterature.com/prize
You can read our winners' stories online with Tenement Press and others on our page and theirs.
For a chance to get your work published, submit until April 30! Judged this year by Ottessa Moshfegh, @henryhoke.bsky.social , and Mariana Enriquez.
desperateliterature.com/prize
For a chance to get your work published, submit until April 30! Judged this year by Ottessa Moshfegh, @henryhoke.bsky.social , and Mariana Enriquez.
desperateliterature.com/prize
April 21, 2025 at 5:07 PM
You can read our winners' stories online with Tenement Press and others on our page and theirs.
For a chance to get your work published, submit until April 30! Judged this year by Ottessa Moshfegh, @henryhoke.bsky.social , and Mariana Enriquez.
desperateliterature.com/prize
For a chance to get your work published, submit until April 30! Judged this year by Ottessa Moshfegh, @henryhoke.bsky.social , and Mariana Enriquez.
desperateliterature.com/prize
In 2024, they ran @stricklandwrites.bsky.social 's
story 'The Mothers'.
tenementpress.com/The-Mothers
They've published @jaygao.bsky.social , Siri Katinka Valdez, Isha Karki, @katiescribbles.bsky.social , Angela Finn, Lorenzo Mandelli, Shola Von Reinhold & Jacob Spears.
story 'The Mothers'.
tenementpress.com/The-Mothers
They've published @jaygao.bsky.social , Siri Katinka Valdez, Isha Karki, @katiescribbles.bsky.social , Angela Finn, Lorenzo Mandelli, Shola Von Reinhold & Jacob Spears.
April 21, 2025 at 5:07 PM
In 2024, they ran @stricklandwrites.bsky.social 's
story 'The Mothers'.
tenementpress.com/The-Mothers
They've published @jaygao.bsky.social , Siri Katinka Valdez, Isha Karki, @katiescribbles.bsky.social , Angela Finn, Lorenzo Mandelli, Shola Von Reinhold & Jacob Spears.
story 'The Mothers'.
tenementpress.com/The-Mothers
They've published @jaygao.bsky.social , Siri Katinka Valdez, Isha Karki, @katiescribbles.bsky.social , Angela Finn, Lorenzo Mandelli, Shola Von Reinhold & Jacob Spears.
🔥Partner Journal Shoutout🔥
Tenement Press
Next up in our lineup of literary magazine partnerships is Tenement, an occasional publisher of esoteric, accidental, angular & interdisciplinary literatures.
Learn about the prize and submit your stories at:
desperateliterature.com/prize
Tenement Press
Next up in our lineup of literary magazine partnerships is Tenement, an occasional publisher of esoteric, accidental, angular & interdisciplinary literatures.
Learn about the prize and submit your stories at:
desperateliterature.com/prize
April 21, 2025 at 5:07 PM
🔥Partner Journal Shoutout🔥
Tenement Press
Next up in our lineup of literary magazine partnerships is Tenement, an occasional publisher of esoteric, accidental, angular & interdisciplinary literatures.
Learn about the prize and submit your stories at:
desperateliterature.com/prize
Tenement Press
Next up in our lineup of literary magazine partnerships is Tenement, an occasional publisher of esoteric, accidental, angular & interdisciplinary literatures.
Learn about the prize and submit your stories at:
desperateliterature.com/prize
⭐Partner Journal Shoutout⭐
@gorsejournal.bsky.social is a stunning, original Dublin-based journal featuring essay, fiction, poetry & interviews.
gorse has published 2019 & 2022 shortlisters Joshua Riedel & Jona Xhepa @quetzalfiach.bsky.social
2025 Prize info at desperateliterature.com/prize
@gorsejournal.bsky.social is a stunning, original Dublin-based journal featuring essay, fiction, poetry & interviews.
gorse has published 2019 & 2022 shortlisters Joshua Riedel & Jona Xhepa @quetzalfiach.bsky.social
2025 Prize info at desperateliterature.com/prize
April 19, 2025 at 6:12 PM
⭐Partner Journal Shoutout⭐
@gorsejournal.bsky.social is a stunning, original Dublin-based journal featuring essay, fiction, poetry & interviews.
gorse has published 2019 & 2022 shortlisters Joshua Riedel & Jona Xhepa @quetzalfiach.bsky.social
2025 Prize info at desperateliterature.com/prize
@gorsejournal.bsky.social is a stunning, original Dublin-based journal featuring essay, fiction, poetry & interviews.
gorse has published 2019 & 2022 shortlisters Joshua Riedel & Jona Xhepa @quetzalfiach.bsky.social
2025 Prize info at desperateliterature.com/prize
Being shortlisted with us means a chance to be published in one of our partner journals. Previously or forthcoming in
@prototypepubs.bsky.social: Grace Henes, Aled Turner, Mira Mattar, Campbell Anderson, Connor Oswald, and Shane Tivenan.
open til April 30!
desperateliterature.com/prize
@prototypepubs.bsky.social: Grace Henes, Aled Turner, Mira Mattar, Campbell Anderson, Connor Oswald, and Shane Tivenan.
open til April 30!
desperateliterature.com/prize
April 15, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Being shortlisted with us means a chance to be published in one of our partner journals. Previously or forthcoming in
@prototypepubs.bsky.social: Grace Henes, Aled Turner, Mira Mattar, Campbell Anderson, Connor Oswald, and Shane Tivenan.
open til April 30!
desperateliterature.com/prize
@prototypepubs.bsky.social: Grace Henes, Aled Turner, Mira Mattar, Campbell Anderson, Connor Oswald, and Shane Tivenan.
open til April 30!
desperateliterature.com/prize
Partner Journal 3:
@prototypepubs.bsky.social is a publisher of fiction, poetry, anthologies, and interdisciplinary projects. They are committed to championing the work of new voices in free-form contemporary literature.
For a chance to feature, submit now:
desperateliterature.com/prize
@prototypepubs.bsky.social is a publisher of fiction, poetry, anthologies, and interdisciplinary projects. They are committed to championing the work of new voices in free-form contemporary literature.
For a chance to feature, submit now:
desperateliterature.com/prize
April 15, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Partner Journal 3:
@prototypepubs.bsky.social is a publisher of fiction, poetry, anthologies, and interdisciplinary projects. They are committed to championing the work of new voices in free-form contemporary literature.
For a chance to feature, submit now:
desperateliterature.com/prize
@prototypepubs.bsky.social is a publisher of fiction, poetry, anthologies, and interdisciplinary projects. They are committed to championing the work of new voices in free-form contemporary literature.
For a chance to feature, submit now:
desperateliterature.com/prize
The Prize would not be possible without our sponsors:
@degrootfoundation.bsky.social @saloneurope.bsky.social @spread-the-word.bsky.social @tlcuk.bsky.social @prototypepubs.bsky.social @thelondonmagazine.bsky.social @minorlits.bsky.social @kydmagazine.bsky.social +++
desperateliterature.com/prize
@degrootfoundation.bsky.social @saloneurope.bsky.social @spread-the-word.bsky.social @tlcuk.bsky.social @prototypepubs.bsky.social @thelondonmagazine.bsky.social @minorlits.bsky.social @kydmagazine.bsky.social +++
desperateliterature.com/prize
April 8, 2025 at 11:18 AM
The Prize would not be possible without our sponsors:
@degrootfoundation.bsky.social @saloneurope.bsky.social @spread-the-word.bsky.social @tlcuk.bsky.social @prototypepubs.bsky.social @thelondonmagazine.bsky.social @minorlits.bsky.social @kydmagazine.bsky.social +++
desperateliterature.com/prize
@degrootfoundation.bsky.social @saloneurope.bsky.social @spread-the-word.bsky.social @tlcuk.bsky.social @prototypepubs.bsky.social @thelondonmagazine.bsky.social @minorlits.bsky.social @kydmagazine.bsky.social +++
desperateliterature.com/prize
See what Sukie Wilson, author of 'Leaving Night Country' and @richiejones.bsky.social, author of 'Nuggy Spins the Lemons,' have to say about the Prize.
You can read both of their winning stories in @thelondonmagazine.bsky.social !
Submit your stories now: desperateliterature.com/prize
You can read both of their winning stories in @thelondonmagazine.bsky.social !
Submit your stories now: desperateliterature.com/prize
April 8, 2025 at 11:18 AM
See what Sukie Wilson, author of 'Leaving Night Country' and @richiejones.bsky.social, author of 'Nuggy Spins the Lemons,' have to say about the Prize.
You can read both of their winning stories in @thelondonmagazine.bsky.social !
Submit your stories now: desperateliterature.com/prize
You can read both of their winning stories in @thelondonmagazine.bsky.social !
Submit your stories now: desperateliterature.com/prize