The Original Downeast Flash Fiction Contest

1. Theme and Setting

All entries for the 2026 Flash Fiction Contest must align with the annual theme: “Something Wicked This Way Comes in Machias.” Stories must be set in or around the Machias, Maine area, whether through real locations, fictionalized versions, or imaginative interpretations inspired by the region.

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2. Submission Deadline

All entries must be submitted by September 6, 2026.

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3. Eligibility and Submission Limits

• Each author may submit one story.

• Submissions must be the original work of a single author.

• AI‑generated content is not permitted. Entries will be evaluated for authenticity.

• Previously published work is not eligible.

 

4. Word Count Requirements

• Entries may not exceed 1,200 words.

• The title is excluded from the word count.

 

5. File Format and Naming Conventions

• Submissions must be uploaded as a document file.

• The uploaded document must be titled with the author’s name and story title in the following format: Example: John Doe, The Fairy Friend

 

6. Content Standards

• Entries may not contain excessive profanity, vulgarity, or explicit content.

• Submissions must not include personal identification information within the document (such as addresses, phone numbers, or other sensitive data).

 

7. Originality and Authorship

All entries must be:

• Original and free of plagiarism.

• Written solely by the submitting author.

• Created without the use of AI tools for drafting, editing, or generating content.

 

8. Rights and Publication

By submitting, authors grant the Machias Arts Council permission to publish their work in the annual contest anthology or related promotional materials. Authors retain full copyright to their work.