A jerboa mouse reading a book.

JERBOA LIT

Long ears, short fiction

The Jerboa Lit 500: A Flash Fiction Contest

48 hours, 500 words, and a random prompt: what story is waiting for you?

At Jerboa Lit, we want to read the weird short stories you come up with based on some fun and random conditions. After selection and announcement of the random prompt (including a story genre, an item that must be present, and a phrase that must be included, all drawn from a hat), contest entrants will have 48 hours to write a 500-word story fitting those conditions.

Exercise your creativity, connect with new writer friends, and write/discover/create a story you didn’t even know was waiting for you to make it (and who can say — those 500 words could be the start of something bigger).

And yes: there’s prize money! A total of $2,200 will be paid out across first through fifth place.

Registration is only $20, and it’s OPEN NOW for our competition beginning January 17th, 2025!

COUNTDOWN TO THE INAUGURAL JERBOA LIT 500

(yes, it’s our first—we’re very excited)

Key Dates

October 1st

Registration Opens

January 17

Challenge Begins

January 19

Challenge Ends

Why participate?

Fun prompts!

They’re fun! They’re weird! What will you create?

Prize money!

A total of $2,200 up for grabs!

A timed challenge!

Write 500 words in 48 hours!

A small jerboa mouse whose tail is linked to the name "Jerboa Lit"

Jerboas are small, nocturnal rodents native to desert habitats and also these social media accounts:

Talk to the tiny mouse.

If you have a question or want to get in contact with us for any reason, the mouse’s big ears are open.