F(r)iction operates at the intersection of literary craft and visual culture, publishing a triannual print collection that treats fiction as an art object. The Fall 2026 Short Story Contest is a focused call for fiction, with a single judge—Joy Deva Baglio—setting the aesthetic tenor. The contest is administered by F(r)iction, an organization with a demonstrated commitment to narrative work that is formally ambitious and emotionally resonant. The prize structure is straightforward: a $1,000 award for first place, and up to five finalists considered for publication in either the print collection or the online blog, F(r)iction Log. This dual pathway reflects the organization's broader curatorial vision, which values both the permanence of print and the immediacy of digital publication. For the submitting writer, the contest offers more than a cash prize. It is an opportunity to enter a curated conversation. F(r)iction's editorial eye tends toward stories that are structurally inventive, voice-driven, and unafraid of the strange or the beautiful. The judge, Joy Deva Baglio, brings her own sensibilities to the selection process, and her involvement signals a preference for work that is both intellectually rigorous and emotionally alive. The $15 submission fee is a standard gatekeeping mechanism in the contest ecosystem, but it also ensures that submissions are read with care by editors who are invested in the outcome. The timeline is exact: submissions must be received by November 14, 2026. There is no ambiguity about the deadline, and no extended window. Writers should treat this as a firm cutoff. The contest does not specify a word limit in the provided facts, but the emphasis on short stories suggests a focus on the form's traditional length—typically between 1,000 and 7,500 words. The absence of a stated prize for finalists beyond publication consideration is notable; the primary reward is visibility and editorial endorsement. This is a contest for writers who understand that publication in a respected venue can be as valuable as a cash award.