AAEF Short Story 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• Stories must be original, unpublished works.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

Judging panel 

All submitted stories will undergo an initial review by a distinguished committee of professors with expertise in the field. Finalists from this review will be carefully selected and passed on to award-winning author Sahar Mustafah, whose literary discernment and deep cultural insight will guide the selection of the most compelling story.

How to Submit

To participate, please email your submission or inquiries to aaef-contest@proton.me.

Make sure to include your full contact information (full name, address, email address, and phone number), your birth date, and the following statement:

“By submitting and emailing my story, I confirm that this is an original work by me, with no AI assistance beyond basic grammar checks, and that it has not been previously published. I also agree that after the story is accepted for publication by the AAEF to transfer copyright to the journal of the AAEF's choice.”

The Arab American Educational Foundation (AAEF) is dedicated to upholding a fair and transparent selection process that amplifies the voices and lived experiences of Arab Americans.

Download a PDF version of the contest flyer here.

Download a JPEG image version of the contest flyer here.