Call for Entries: Short Story Collection
Do you have a love for words and a story you want to share? Become a published writer and contribute to a special collection of voices.
We are inviting fiction, non-fiction and poetry entries on the themes of compassion, collaboration and/or courage.
Writing needs to be in English, but English does not have to be your first language.
We welcome:
Stories from anyone with lived experience of forced displacement
Stories from anyone who works or volunteers with refugees (whether that's volunteering with food banks, hosting families, working within local charities or frontline organisations).
Please read the full entry guidelines at the bottom of this page before entering.
Founded in Bristol in 2002, TFSW was the first agency in the South West to provide specialist trauma therapy for refugees.
Over 25 years, we've listened to many stories. Of waiting for a decision as time stretches ahead. Of surviving and of thriving.
We've heard from those working and volunteering in the sector. Of difficult days and the deep reward of connection.
This collection brings that tapestry of voices together, marking 25 years of listening, and raising funds for support to continue into the future.
What can I submit? You can submit fiction, non-fiction, essays and poetry. We welcome creativity in your submission. If you’re unsure if your writing is suitable, you can reach out to us.
Story Length: between 1500 and 5000 words. We’re not super strict on a few words either way, but please try to stay within these limits.
Format: doc, docx or Pages, 12-point Times New Roman or similar, A4 or Letter size, 1.5 or double spaced.
Entry fee: none.
Submission: via email attachment.
Language: Submissions in English, whatever English you write, even if English is not your first language or your story has been translated into English. We don’t like pornography, racism, sexism and a whole load of other prejudices but we do understand that sometimes a character may express unwelcome points of view.
If you are uncertain, or have any questions on language, you can reach out to us.
Theme: “Compassion; Collaboration; and Courage”. You can write on all of these themes, or focus on one.
Simultaneous submissions? Yes, but let us know if your story is accepted elsewhere.
Previously published: no, not even on your own website, but something you’ve just shared with friends and family is fine.
What rights are you giving away? The authors retain all rights to their stories. By submitting a story authors grant a licence to Askance Publishing to publish their stories online and/or in print and to use all or part of a story to promote TFSW/Askance.
Please note that our publisher has stressed that if we do not receive sufficient entries of a high enough standard, then we may choose not to publish a book.
Entry Guidelines
Dates: You can submit your story from August 1st 2026 and we close for entries on October 1st 2026. If we are inundated, we reserve the right to close the selection early - so get your story to us early to avoid disappointment. Authors of selected stories will be notified by November 1st 2026.
Who can submit? We would especially like to hear from anyone with lived experience of forced displacement or those that work with and support refugees.
Can I submit more than one story? We will accept up to three submissions from one person, but please be aware that it is unlikely that multiple entries from the same person will be published.
Ready to enter? Follow these simple rules.
1. Prepare your document containing only your story – no personal identifying information within the document, entry inclusion is judged blind.
2. Email TFSW email with the subject of your email as “Short Story Entry” followed by the title of your story. In the body of your email include your full name and address and attach your story document to the email (not in the body of the email please).
3.Please give your document the same name as the title of your story – it makes life a lot simpler!