Omnidawn Publishing — 2026 Omnidawn Fabulist Fiction Chapbook/Novella Contest judged by Selah Saterstrom

Overview
Omnidawn Publishing, long recognized for its commitment to innovative and hybrid literary forms, invites submissions to its annual Fabulist Fiction Chapbook/Novella Contest. The contest is open to writers worldwide, with no citizenship restrictions, and seeks works that engage the non-realistic imagination. The judge for the 2026 edition is Selah Saterstrom, whose own work often traverses the porous boundaries between the real and the speculative. This is not a venue for conventional genre fiction, but rather for writing that treats the fabulist impulse as a mode of inquiry—where the impossible becomes a lens for examining the possible. The winner will receive a $1,000 prize, publication of a perfect-bound pocket series chapbook or novelette with a full-color cover by Omnidawn, and 20 free copies. The press will also provide extensive publicity through its social media channels and subscriber lists. The contest is administered with the care and editorial rigor that has defined Omnidawn's catalog for over two decades. Submissions should consist of one or more stories totaling between 7,500 and 20,000 words. Works may be primarily realistic with elements of non-realism, or entirely non-realistic. The entry fee is $25, and the deadline is October 17, 2026. What distinguishes this opportunity is its scale and focus: the chapbook/novelette length allows for a sustained yet concentrated reading experience, and the pocket series format signals an attention to the artifact as much as the text. Omnidawn's editorial vision has consistently favored writing that resists easy categorization, and this contest extends that ethos to fabulist fiction. The judge's own sensibilities suggest a preference for work that is formally adventurous, emotionally resonant, and unafraid of the strange. Writers should consider how their submission might function as a cohesive volume, not merely a collection of pieces.