PRESENTED IN COLLABORATION WITH

Calling all micro-fiction storytellers! 🏁

For the second year in a row, Freewrite is teaming up with Grant Faulkner, co-founder of the Flash Fiction Institute and author of The Art of Brevity, to bring you the fastest, most adrenaline-pumping writing event of the year.

Whether you're a seasoned writer or a creative rookie, the Freewrite 500 is your chance to rev up your imagination, write a 500-word story, and win big.

You do not need to own a Freewrite to participate.

[REGISTRATION CLOSED]

How It Works

🎟️ Fill out the form above to secure your spot. It's totally free. (You must register to participate.)

📖 Watch the free mini flash fiction lesson by Grant Faulkner, which includes the announcement of the prompt for the contest. WATCH IT HERE.

📝 You'll have the weekend to finish and submit your 500-word storybased on the prompt by end of day on Monday, August 17. Entries must be 500 words or less. The entry form is plain text. Any necessary formatting should be noted in [brackets]. [SUBMISSIONS CLOSED]

✏️ Our judging panel, led by Faulkner and made up of writers from the Freewrite team and the Flash Fiction Institute, will judge each piece based on: length (500 words), relevance to the prompt, and creativity.

🥇 NEW THIS YEAR: The panel will select three finalists, and then announce one grand prize winner.

All work must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday, August 17, 2026.

The Prize Pack

One winner will receive:

• Publication on the Freewrite blog and Flash Fiction Institute blog
• 1 Freewrite Traveler
• 1 hour-long one-on-one coaching session with Grant Faulkner
• 1 free Flash Gym session with the Flash Fiction Institute
  
• 1 Words Are Hard prompt deck
  
• A paperback copy of Set Your Story Free, the ultimate guide to freewriting
• A digital copy of the opening chapter of Grant Faulkner's book, The Art of Brevity

Second and third place writers will each receive:

• Publication on the Freewrite blog and Flash Fiction Institute blog
• 1 Freewrite Alpha
• 1 free Flash Gym session with the Flash Fiction Institute
• 1 Words Are Hard prompt deck
• A paperback copy of Set Your Story Free, the ultimate guide to freewriting
• A digital copy of the opening chapter of Grant Faulkner's book, The Art of Brevity

The Schedule

• Thursday, Aug 13: Lesson & prompt announcement
• Monday, Aug 17: Submissions deadline
• Monday, Aug 31: Finalists announced
• Monday, September 7: Grand prize winner announced

Questions? You can reach us at hello@getfreewrite.com.

Write on.

The Freewrite 500 Pit Crew 🏁 

Full contest terms and conditions

Scroll down for the answer key.

Short answer: Anything!