Nanaimo Arts Council Logo

2026 Islands Short Fiction Review Entry Rules

 

Islands Short Fiction Review (ISFR) is open to writers from Vancouver Island and the surrounding Gulf Islands in three age categories.

Junior – Ages 12 and under
Youth – Ages 13 to 18
Adult – Ages 19 and over for emerging authors. Professional writers and
authors with multiple publications are ineligible for this competition.

Short Fiction of up to 2,000 words. Winners share $2,000 in awards! Online registration is open from: February 8 to March 8 (11:59 pm).

Submission requirements:

  • The deadline for submissions is March 8, 2026, at 11:59 pm.
  • Your name MUST NOT appear on any part of your submission except the entry form.
  • ISFR is limited to residents of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.
  • Judges will accept stories of up to 2,000 words; entries over the word count will not be considered.
  • Entries must not be previously published. Submissions which have placed 1st, 2nd , or 3rd in a previous ISFR event may not be entered again.
  • We prefer online entries (doc, docx or pdf formats only, please) but will accept typewritten stories mailed to: Nanaimo Arts Council, PO Box 401 Station A, Nanaimo BC, V9R 5L3.
  • The Nanaimo Arts Council (NAC) will notify the top three winners in the first week of April and announce the winners’ position (1st, 2nd, 3rd ) at the Award Ceremony to be held at the Nanaimo North Library on April 25.
  • Winners may be required to submit proof of identity and age to receive an award.

Entry Fees

  • There are no entry fees for the Junior and Youth categories, but authors are limited to one entry.
  • The Adult entry fee is $10 for NAC members and $39 for non-members for each story submission.
  • Non-members are welcome to join the NAC and submit an entry at the $10 rate. The adult membership fee is $20 adults. Membership is free for youth and full-time students.
  • Payment must be received before judges will consider a submission.
  • Make payment via the online submission form.

Author Categories & Awards $2,000

Junior Authors
First prize: $75 cash & $75 gift certificate
Second prize: $50 cash & $50 gift certificate
Third prize: $25 cash & $25 gift certificate
All Junior Entries: Certificate of Achievement

Youth Authors
First prize: $125 cash & $75 gift certificate
Second prize: $100 cash & $50 gift certificate
Third prize: $75 cash & $25 gift certificate
All Youth Entries: Certificate of Achievement

Adult Authors
First prize: $650 cash
Second: $350 cash
Third: $250 cash

Results will be announced via press release, on social media, online at www.nanaimoartscouncil.ca and in the NAC newsletter. NAC will publish the first, second and third place stories in each category in the Sea Wolf Literary Review and on the NAC website.

Questions?
Please contact the Program Coordinator: amelia@nanaimoartscouncil.ca

 

Sponsored By