Short Story Competition 2026
Conditions of participation
For the 2026 short story competition, we seek prose texts driven by the keywords „WÄNDE | WALLS“. We welcome submission from students and staff of Münster University or students from other academic institutions in Münster. The texts must not exceed 7,500 characters (including spaces). Since the texts are to be submitted anonymously to the jury, author names should only be noted in the accompanying email. The winners will receive prize money totalling 1,500 euros.
Send your short story – in German or in English or both – as a PDF file (text 1.5 lines) by 31.01.2026 to: kultur@uni-muenster.de. The winning texts will be presented in an author reading in May 2026 and will appear in print.Regarding AI
In the ever-shifting landscape of storytelling and literary wizardry, we simultaneously tip our hats to the rise of ingenious technologies like ChatGPT. Embracing the novelty of AI, we are open to participants engaging with artificial intelligence, expecting a harmonious duet, exploring the enigmatic realms between dividers, frontiers, enclosures, dams, fortifications, obstacles or stepping stones under the theme of ""WÄNDE | WALLS."
Now, for those who choose to work with AI, ChatGPT included, we say, "Bravo!" But a word of advice: use AI as your trusty sidekick, enhancing your narratives with a sprinkle of computational magic. However, dear participants, maintain the essence of your creativity, preserve the authenticity of your voice, and ensure your stories shimmer with originality. We're counting on your accountability, for within this collaboration, fantastical tales are born, and we eagerly anticipate the wonders you'll conjure.
But please let us know if you have used AI, because what is AI other than the collective work of all authors whose works were used (without permission) to train the AI?
Award ceremony
The award ceremony with author readings will take place as part of the NEUE WÄNDE festival in May 2026. The festival runs from May 8 to May 10. The exact date for the award ceremony will be set in January 2026.
Previous competitions
Short Story Competition 2024 "Vergessen"
Winning texts in the UniKunstKultur magazine winter 2024/25 [de/en]
Short Story Competition 2022 "Green Tales"
Winning texts in the UniKunstKultur magazine [de]