Call for submissions!

We're looking for: short stories (< 5k words) for publication.

PROMPT

‘THE WORLD ENDED YESTERDAY’ 

Global destruction. Society in ashes. Humanity on the brink.

Genres

Post apocalypse, dystopian, cyberpunk, speculative fiction, and science-fiction. Horror will be considered on a case by case basis. Associated original artwork  is encouraged, but not required**. The use of generative AI in any form is strictly prohibited***.

Format 

• .docx/.pdf

• Times New Roman

• Single spaced

• 12pt font. 

Cost for Submission

Free! 

Submission Deadline

December 15th, 2026.

Winners will be announced December 30th, 2026. 

Prizes: 

First Place: $50 USD.

~Published on Rust 'n Dust's website, newsletter, and anthology

~Author has the opportunity to choose the theme for the next upcoming contest

~Featured Author bio on both the website, and our newsletter 

Runners up (x2): $25 USD

~Published on Rust 'n Dust's website, newsletter, and anthology

All submissions will be considered for future publication. 

*The following genres will NOT be considered: romance, fantasy, historical fiction, young adult,  fanfiction/copyrighted material, or erotica. Explicit content is allowed, so long as it’s in the context of a larger story, and with appropriate contact tags.

** All artwork requires appropriate copyright usage

***AI Usage: Suspicion of use will result in an automatic rejection. This includes but is not limited to drafting, writing, and editing. Draft copies, revision logs, etc must be provided at request to verify authenticity. 

***

Rust 'n Dust Publishing is an independent publisher focused on stories born amidst ashes and forged in the wastelands, where the human spirit is pushed to its breaking point. Raw. Brutal. Human.

By submitting to the contest, you agree to the following rules:

1. I hereby declare that I am the exclusive copyright owner of the submitted work, that it is my own original creation, and that I have the full legal right and authority to submit it to this contest under the terms provided.

2. Generative AI was not used in the process of drafting, editing, or writing the submitted work.

3. Rust ‘n Dust Publishing reserves the right to reject any submission for publication for any reason.

To submit an entry, click here.