Now Accepting Submissions: 2026 Utah Readers Fest Anthology
The Utah Readers Fest is proud to announce an open call for short fiction to be included in a special anthology releasing exclusively at the 2026 festival this November. We welcome stories from all genres, provided they demonstrate a clear and meaningful connection to Utah. This connection may be thematic, historical, cultural, symbolic, or narrative in nature. Stories do not need to be set in Utah, but the link must be unmistakable within the work.
• Students encouraged! Our anthology reserves spaces for student authors. Please note student status in submission
• Deadline: June 7, 2026
• Word Count: Up to 8,000 words (preference for works less than 4,000)
• Format: Standard manuscript submission format (details below)
• Eligibility: Original, unpublished fiction
• Compensation: Accepted authors will receive payment and print copy
• Contributor Benefits: Invitation to exclusive social event prior to Utah Reader’s Fest
• Publication: Anthology will debut as an exclusive release at the 2026 Utah Reader’s Fest in November
For additional information/updates: UtahReadersFest.org
Show us what “Utah” inspires in you!
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
NOTE: Submissions not meeting format guidelines will be returned without being read.
Submissions must be in manuscript format (title page with contact details, double spaced, 12pt Times New Roman, 1-inch margins) with the title and page number in the header.
Submissions must be in .doc or .docx file format and submitted as an attachment. (Do not put your submission in the body of an email.)
Subject line of the email must be CASJW Submission_[Your Name]_[Title].
Example: CASJW Submission_Luke Skywalker_Universal Travel Guide
Submit stories for consideration via email postmarked by midnight of June 7, 2026 to luwgenremonkeys@gmail.com
CRITERIA
Submissions will be graded on a scale of 1-5 in the following categories.
*Overall story quality
*Meeting the theme
*Characters
*Writing skill
*Readability
*Originality