AAEF Writing Contest

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Are you an Arab American with a story to tell? We are thrilled to announce a Short Story Contest celebrating the rich and diverse voices of Arab Americans living in the United States, creating a platform for understanding, celebration, and reflection.

This is your opportunity to share your unique journey—moments that have shaped your identity, challenged your perspectives, and brought meaning to your life. Whether your story is joyful, thought-provoking, or deeply personal, we want to hear it! Let your words bridge worlds, spark dialogue, and leave a lasting impact.

What We’re Looking For

Short stories that explore themes such as:

 The formation of a dual identity as both Arab and American.

 The journey of navigating cultural, social, and personal identity.

 Struggles with conflicting social values and balancing multiple cultures.

 Experiences with perceived bias or misunderstanding.

 Joyful accounts of acculturation, assimilation, belonging, and community building.

Why Participate?

 Top Prize: The winner will receive the prestigious AAEF Short Story Writing Contest Award and a cash prize of $1,000.

 Publication Opportunity: The selected story will be featured in a publication, amplifying your voice and inspiring others with your experiences.

Submission Guidelines

 Stories must be original, unpublished works.

 Submitted in a Word document,

 Maximum word count: 10,000 words.

 Deadline: October 15, 2025

The submitted stories will be reviewed by a dedicated committee of readers committed to ensuring a fair and transparent selection process while honoring the voices and experiences of Arab Americans.

How to Submit

To participate, complete the submission form and upload your story below; please note that there should be no images in the file.

To Ask Questions

Please send any questions to aaef-contest@proton.me. 

Acknowledgement

By submitting the form and uploading your story, you confirm that this is an original work by you and has not been previously published. You also agree that after the story is accepted for publication by the AAEF to transfer copyright to the journal of the AAEF's choice.