Introduction
Always wanted to see your story in print? Here’s your chance!
To uncover Singapore’s next literary talent, the Singapore Young Writers Press is organising the Singapore Short Stories Showcase (4S)! Featuring a different theme each time to get your creative juices flowing, the top entries might be compiled into the Singapore Short Stories Showcase (4S) where winners stand to win attractive prizes and bragging rights! 🙂
So, for fun, fame or fortune (we’re offering $600 worth of prizes), send in your best shot!
Contest Details
Theme
Begin your story with the following line: “As the clock struck 11 o’clock…”
Categories
Category 1: For participants born in 2017 and 2016 (P2 & 3 as of this year)
Category 2: For participants born in 2015 and 2014 (P4 & 5 as of this year)
Closing Date
30 June 2026 (2359h)
Submission Guidelines
The Singapore’s Short Story Showcase (4S) is designed for young writers to showcase their talents. To help us bring this contest to you, please follow these simple guidelines when submitting your entries:
- All entries must be original and entirely the work of the writer.
- Please include your name or pen name as you would like to be featured, should your work be featured in our Singapore Short Stories Showcase.
- Submissions must be in English and no more than 1,000 words, excluding the words provided in the prompt. There is no minimum word requirement. Entries exceeding the word limit will be disqualified. Please type the exact word count (excluding your story’s title and your name) in brackets behind your title, and indicate the category you are participating in.
- Please email your entries in an editable word format to sywp4s@gmail.com with the subject: 4S3. This is important as emails will be filtered to the relevant email folders based on subject title.
- Winners will be contacted by the email through which entries are submitted.
Judging
A panel of three judges will announce the winners based on the quality of the stories submitted. The judges will be looking for high-quality writing, stories that demonstrate originality, imagination and creativity, and writers who can capture the reader and hold their attention.
Results will be announced on 30 September 2026 on https://singaporeyoungwriterspress.com/4S3. The decisions of the judges are final and not subject to appeal or review.
Prizes (per category)
1st Prize: $150 Cash + Trophy + Individual Certificate of Achievement
2nd Prize: $100 Cash + Trophy + Individual Certificate of Achievement
3rd Prize: $50 Cash + Trophy + Individual Certificate of Achievement
Publication Terms and Conditions
To help us bring your works to a wider audience, participants agree that the Singapore Young Writers Press retains the non-exclusive, perpetual, world-wide, royalty-free license (with the right to sublicense) to use submitted entries for any purpose consistent with its mission, including educational, archival, research and publicity purposes.
Good luck!
P.S. *If you would like to receive writing tips and activity updates such as future contest invites directly, please join our mailing list at https://singaporeyoungwriterspress.com/mailing/
*If you would like to order the latest compilations from the National English Writing Competition, please visit https://singaporeyoungwriterspress.com/shop/
Thank you!