Dream Foundry Contest for Emerging Writers

Guidelines summary

Pays

1st $1,500, 2nd $750, 3rd $400 (cash only; winners keep all rights)

Length

Up to 10,000 words

Wants

Speculative fiction by emerging writers

Simultaneous submissions

Yes

Multiple submissions

No

Reprints

No

Response time

Not stated

Submissions

2026 window ran April 13 to June 8, 2026 Next window by the posted schedule: April 13, 2027.

Submission or entry fee

No submission fee

Rights

Winners keep all rights, including first publication

Also note

Only for writers with under 4,000 words of paid speculative fiction published, earning under $320.

Last checked

October 31, 2026