Skip to content
Hours & Location, opens an overlay Help, opens an overlay
Main navigation Events
Open search form

Fall Into Fiction

Fall into Creativity

Fall is here again! To celebrate, San José Public Library is hosting a short story contest.

How to Enter

Complete the online submission form for Fall into Fiction between September 1-30.

OR

Submit your story in person at a San José Public Library location, opens a new window between September 1-30 

Guidelines

  • Who Can Enter: Amateur writers in California only. All ages.
  • Style: Any writing style.
  • Unpublished: No previous print or online publication, including blogs.
  • Length Limit: 8,000 characters max, spaces and punctuation included.
  • Audience: Must be for general audiences. No explicit or mature content.
  • One Entry: One submission per person.
  • Proofread: Check for spelling or grammar errors.
Please review our full list of Submission Guidelines for more details.

Age Categories and Prizes

  • Children (0–9): Prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.
  • Pre-Teens (10–12): Prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.
  • Teens (13–17): Prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.
  • Adults (18+): Prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.

Judges may award an honorable mention prize in each age category. Prizes include a bundle of goodies to keep the creativity, words, and fun flowing.

All winners and other selected works will be published on SJPL Short Édition online platform and in the Short Édition Dispensers at select locations. 

Judging

Library staff oversee the judging process. To understand what the judges will be looking for, you can view the detailed judging rubric. Winners will be announced in November. 

Questions?

If you have any questions about the Fall Into Fiction Contest, email us at shortstories@sjlibrary.org.

Submit Your Short Story

Writing Help

Blogs

Blog Post

Fall Into Fiction Writing Prompt: Fantasy

Get inspired for your Fall Into Fiction story with this list of Fantasy reads!
SJWrites
Group portrait of university students standing together in corridor.
Blog Post

Fall into Fiction Writing Prompt: Diverse Voices

What makes your voice, your culture, your language, your background, your perspective or experience unique? Write about it today!
SJWrites
A feather and old books sits next to a lit candle with flowers scatted on the table.
Blog Post

Fall Into Fiction Writing prompt: Romance

Having a romantic connection with another human being is one of the most powerful emotions there is! Write about your experiences today!
SJWrites

Staff Picks

Physical and digital titles

Online Writing Resources

resources

A girl lying in a field of green grass reading a book.
Online Resource

NoveList Plus

Discover books to read next based on what you already like. For adults and older teens. Use library card number if asked for "Patron ID".
A student is writing on paper with pens and pencils scattered around a table.
Online Resource

Short Édition

Read short works of fiction from local and international writers, or submit your own to the Short Edition collection.
Hands holding a cellphone.
Online Resource

Pressbooks

Create a professional-looking eBook, or format your book for printing.
Back to Top