A jerboa mouse reading a book.

JERBOA LIT

Long ears, short fiction

OUR FOURTH CONTEST
IS OPEN FOR REGISTRATION NOW!

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.

Join us by registering for the 4th Jerboa Lit 500, running from March 13-15!

Key Dates

March 13-15

Challenge 4 Occurs

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June 12

Challenge 4 Results Announced

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Why participate?

Fun prompts!

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

Genres, Items, and Phrases

Prize money!

A total of $2,200 up for grabs!

How to Submit

A timed challenge!

Write 500 words in 48 hours!

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

The Jerboa Lit 250: Our Mini-Challenge

This contest works the same way as the Jerboa Lit 500: we send you a prompt, and your story (250 words this time) is due 48 hours later. The prompt will include a genre and item that must appear/be used in your mini-flash. All parts of the prompt are still randomly selected out of our Video Hat. It’s very exciting.

The best part of the Mini-Contests is the quick turnaround: although this contest does not offer feedback, results are announced within a month!

Join us by registering for the 1st Jerboa Lit 250, running from February 27 - March 1!

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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.