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...

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.

@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

Read 2024 shortlister Preeti Vangani's @preetivangani.bsky.social's story 'Gods of Fathers' :
minorliteratures.com/2024/11/06/g...

Other shortlisters in @minorlits.bsky.social include Andrea Mason @andreamason.bsky.social, Stephen Lynch, and Young Rader.

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!

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...

Hear what 2024 winner Sukie Wilson and runner-up
@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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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