Ekphrasis Short Story Contest (Winter 2026)
We are running a contest for our Winter Issue, open to students at the University of Saskatchewan. The deadline for applications are February 10, 2026.
The grand prize is a $20 USask Bookstore gift card. Runners-up will receive publication in the magazine.
Ekphrasis Short Story Contest
Ekphrastic writing is writing that seeks to vividly describe a piece of art. We have provided two paintings below as writing prompts: Nighthawks (Edward Hopper) and Wanderer above the Sea of Fog (Caspar David Friedrich). Use one of these paintings as inspiration for a very short story (200 words or less).
- You must be a student at the University of Saskatchewan
- All short stories over 200 words will be disqualified
- Your submission must be your own work (i.e., no GenAI use allowed)
- Members of IMR are not eligible for the grand prize, although their work may be published in the magazine alongside other contest entries.
The fiction editors will compile a shortlist consisting of the best submissions. The shortlisted stories will be shared with the whole editorial board, who will read and vote for their favorite piece. The pieces will be judged anonymously.
The short story with the most votes will be declared the winner, and will receive a $20 USask Bookstore gift card alongside publication in the Fall Issue.
All shortlisted pieces will be published in the magazine with the artist’s name and a short bio.
