Tiny stories. Huge impact.
Tell a Story
in Exactly Six Words
Win $100 cash + Publication in the next Anthology
Free to enter • Open worldwide
Deadline: 30 September 2026 • Midnight PST
“For sale: baby shoes. Never worn.”SUBMIT YOUR SIX-WORD STORIES NOW
— The most famous six-word story ever told
Up to 5 entries • Make them your best
Welcome to the 2026 Six Word Wonder Contest
For sale: baby shoes, never worn.
She waved goodbye. The gallows creaked.
Destroyed Roy, then deployed his decoy.
- Win $100. Get published. Be remembered.
- One will be crowned Six Word Wonder 2026.
- Entry is free. All entries will be credited to you.
- Over 30,000 entries submitted worldwide from past contests.
- Enter up to five six-word stories, memoirs, poems, or jokes in this entry form.
Enter the Six Word Wonder Contest
By entering, you agree to the contest’s full terms and conditions.
Explore More 6 Word Stories
Looking for inspiration? Pick a mood. Follow your curiosity. Every category hides a different kind of story.
Want to Improve Your Chances of Winning?
10 Tips for Writing a Winning Six Word Wonder
1. Immerse yourself in great examples
Study what works. Read past winners and strong entries to understand how to deliver maximum impact in six words.
2. Use prompts or challenges to spark ideas
Stuck for ideas? Start with a strong prompt or constraint — it often leads to your best and most original entries.
Try the 1000 Six Word Prompts or the Challenge Generator
3. Experiment with proven structure
Templates give you a solid framework while leaving room for your own voice, twist, or emotion.
4. Master the rules — especially word counting
Know exactly what counts as a word so your entry is valid. Contractions count as one, punctuation doesn’t.
Read the full word-counting guide
Tips on writing microfiction5. Edit ruthlessly
Every single word must earn its place. Cut, rearrange, and test until the story hits hard when read aloud.
6. Pick a clear genre or mood
Story, joke, poem, memoir, horror, romance — choose one direction and commit to it for stronger impact. Consider the 7 basic plots of six word stories
7. Get a second opinion
Share your drafts with someone else. Fresh eyes often spot the magic (or the weakness) immediately.
8. Try multiple ideas
Don’t stop at one entry. Use all five slots — experiment with variations and take creative risks. Find more resources for your six word creations
9. Study the definitive guide
Learn the core elements (clarity, emotion, implication, twist) and pro techniques that separate good entries from winners.
10. If in doubt — just enter
You can’t win if you don’t submit. In previous contests, roughly 1 in 7 entrants made the shortlist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Six Word Wonder Contest 2026
What is a Six Word Wonder?
A Six Word Wonder is a complete story, memoir, poem, or joke told in only six words.
What does the 2026 winner win?
The winner will be:
- Named Six Word Wonder 2026
- Published in a future Six Word Wonder book
- Awarded $100 cash prize
Shortlisted entries will also be published in the book series.
Does only the winner get published?
No — all shortlisted entries will be included in a future Six Word Wonder book.
Can I enter under a pen name?
Yes — feel free to enter under your pen name.
Do I need to be a writer to enter?
We’re all writers. If you can read, you can create a Six Word Wonder.
What are you looking for in a winning entry?
Great six-word stories, poems, jokes, or memoirs. We’re looking for creativity, originality, and real impact.
It can be beautiful, surprising, clever, emotional, or funny — as long as it works powerfully in six words.
How many entries can I submit?
You can submit up to five entries.
Is it really free to enter?
Yes — completely free.
How is the prize funded?
Shortlisted entries are published in the Six Word Wonder book series. Book sales help fund the cash prize, hosting, and running the contest.
What is the aim of the contest?
To discover outstanding six-word stories and help more people fall in love with the power of Six Word Wonders.
Can I enter in a different language?
Entries must be in English.
Will my entry be credited to me?
Yes — using the name or pen name you provide.
Can I use strong language?
Keep it suitable for a wide audience. Very strong language may not be accepted.
Full Terms and Conditions
Six Word Wonder Contest 2026
Please read these terms carefully before entering. By submitting an entry, you agree to be bound by these rules.
Eligibility
- Open to entrants worldwide
- Entrants must be aged 16 or over
Entries
- Each entry must be exactly six words
- Written in British or American English
- You may submit up to 5 entries per person
- Entries must be submitted via the form on dougweller.net
Original Work
- All entries must be your own original work
- You must hold the copyright
- Plagiarized or copied entries will be disqualified
Copyright & Usage
- You retain copyright of your work
- By entering, you grant Doug Weller and Six Word Wonder a non-exclusive right to publish your entry (including on the website, in books, on social media, and in promotional material)
- No additional compensation will be provided beyond the stated prize
- AI-generated entries are not allowed and may result in disqualification
Judging & Prize
- Entries will be judged by Doug Weller or his delegates
- Judging is blind and the judge’s decision is final
- The winner will receive a $100 cash prize (via PayPal or equivalent)
- Shortlisted entries will be published in a future Six Word Wonder book (more than one entry may be shortlisted)
Communication
- You may be contacted by email if shortlisted or selected as winner
- You may also receive occasional updates about future contests and publications
- You can unsubscribe from emails at any time
Other Important Rules
- Entries must be lawful in your country of residence
- Friends and family of Doug Weller or his delegates may not enter
- The contest closes on 30 September 2026, midnight PST (unless extended)
- Late entries may not be considered
Last updated: April 2026
Want to explore more Six Word Wonders?
If you’re unsure and would like to learn more about Six Word Wonders, visit here.
Read the Six Word Wonder launch press release.
Explore more six word stories
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- Famous Six Word Stories
- For Sale Six Word Stories
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- Quotation Six Word Stories
- Reddit Six Word Stories
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HI Doug I read everything here on this awesome site / blog, including everything regarding the latest 2026 six-word wonder Contest but still can’t find exactly what link to click onto for actually sending my five entries!
Hi. Great question. I’m working on it – launching soon!
I am very interested in this contest. I hate that I have defaulted to concern about a scam, or at least you pushing me to sign up for the newsletter so I can find the contest link. Prove me wrong Doug. Thanks, Jay
Jay – only natural to be worried. No scam, just stories!
AWESOME! Love your contests! and I have all the six-word books and can’t wait for the next! I read them all the time, such amazing little gems packed in all of them! Thanks for answering my question, looking forward to entering!
Doug, when is the 2025 contest open for entries?
I would like to know this too, please
Thanks
Hello!
When will the winners of 2024 be announced?
Thank you in advance!
Best regards,
Prima.H
When will the winners be announced? Can we atleast have a timeframe?
Hi, Do you know roughly when judging will finish by?
I entered but didn’t receive a confirmation email
Check your spam folder. 😊
I have, but it’s not in there either
I wonder why people under 16 can’t enter. Children and teenagers are more than capable of writing.
It’s a legal thing. Sorry.
Hi. I can see an entry for Christina May. Is that you?
No, but I have received my confirmation email now. I guess there was just a delay.
Hi.
May I know if there’s a limit to the number of submission a participant may send to the event? I already sent my first six and I already received verification that my entries were successfully submitted. Yet, I still have quite a number of plots to share and I’m not sure if I could still send them. Thanks for considering my query. 🙂
Hi. It’s six stories per registered user. Good luck. Doug
Sorry, but I already entered more than six. Will my entries be disqualified?
octopus tentacles reach out to me
i am not like the other girls
I have tried to enter multiple times and when I click enter nothing at all happens. Help?
Hi, Doug,
Again, I submitted one entry with one-six-word-story, but now have 5 more to complete the form. Is it possible to complete another form?
Hi, Doug,
Just left you a comment about submitting another form with six-word-story content, but needed to retype email address, here it is.
Dear Sir/Madam,
I entered the contest but still haven’t received an email from you.
Sincerely,
Kira
Hi!
Me neither… Not even in the Spam folder.
Hi Lucy. Double check now. There was a glitch in the collection form in the last 24 hours.
Hi mr/mis
I haven’t received an email from you
My email is; fatemehseidabadi62@gmail.com
Sincerely
Fatemeh seidabadi
I found the email that confirmed my submission in my spam folder. I recommend checking there! Good luck!
I couldn’t find the email which confirmed my submission either (not even in spam folder).
Hi, Doug,
I recently entered this contest with one-six-word-story, but now have five more to fill-in the entry form. Can I complete a new form? Not sure about deadlines.
6 Word Poem
I wont feel clean
every again.
-Ava Reale
Can stories include copyrighted characters like Superman, or an ent from Lord of the Rings?
Thanks for doing this! Literary adventure!
from Valerie Stilson
What fun! Happy to find you!
Absolutely, positively loved six-word competition. (6 words)
It is challenging and thoughtful too. (6 words)
Makes you think harder than ever. (6 words)
Writers write. Thinkers think. Competitors compete. (6 words)
If only Shakespeare was still alive. (6 words)
Imagine a movie in six words (6 words)
Good luck everyone.
Thanks, coach.