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International Bengali Flash Fiction Contest (আন্তর্জাতিক বাংলা অণু-গল্প প্রতিযোগিতা) 2014
A 24by7 Publishing Initiative
24by7 Publishing is proud to announce the commencement of a landmark literary initiative—the International Bengali Flash Fiction Contest (আন্তর্জাতিক বাংলা অণু-গল্প প্রতিযোগিতা)—for the year 2014. This contest marks the beginning of a series of six prestigious flash fiction competitions that will be conducted by 24by7 Publishing, continuing through to the year 2019.
Each contest aims to discover and recognize compelling voices in Bengali literature, focusing on the art of concise storytelling. Authors, both seasoned and emerging, from around the world are invited to participate and showcase their narrative skills within the boundaries of flash fiction—a format celebrated for its brevity, precision, and impact.
Participants in each of the six contests will be carefully evaluated, and the most remarkable entries will be selected by a panel of literary experts. Winners of each individual contest will receive appropriate awards, certificates, and recognition for their literary achievements.
Furthermore, all selected winners from these six contests will automatically be nominated for the 24by7 Publishing International Bengali Flash Fiction Grand Contest in 2018. This final contest will serve as a culmination of this multi-year celebration of Bengali micro-literature.
As the crowning moment of this initiative, 24by7 Publishing will compile and publish an anthology in 2019, featuring the best flash fiction entries from across all six contests. This book will not only include the award-winning stories but will also feature original flash fiction contributions from some of the most celebrated, promising, and influential Bengali writers of our time. The anthology aims to become a collector’s edition, representing the vibrant and diverse voices of Bengali literature in the contemporary world.
Through this multi-phase contest series, 24by7 Publishing seeks to encourage creative expression, highlight literary talent, and contribute meaningfully to the evolving landscape of Bengali literature.
Stay tuned for submission guidelines, deadlines, and announcements related to each upcoming contest.
Let your words travel far—one flash fiction at a time.
Awards
Contest summary
Flash Fiction
Rules & Regulations
Submit your entry
Awards and Recognitions
As part of the prestigious International Bengali Flash Fiction Contest Series (আন্তর্জাতিক বাংলা অণু-গল্প প্রতিযোগিতা) initiated by 24by7 Publishing, winners will receive significant recognition and support to further their literary journeys.
Awards for Each Individual Contest (2014–2019)
In each of the six flash fiction contests to be held between 2014 and 2019, the top three contestants will be chosen as winners. These participants will receive the following awards and benefits:
- Feature on the Official 24by7 Publishing Website: Each winner will be featured prominently on the 24by7 Publishing website. This feature will include the winner’s photograph, a concise biography, and either the winning flash fiction or another notable creative submission. This exposure is designed to help winners build their public literary profile and reach a broader audience.
- INR 500.00 Publishing Gift Coupon: As a gesture of encouragement and to support their future work, every winner will be awarded an INR 500.00 gift voucher. This voucher can be redeemed toward publishing services at 24by7 Publishing, enabling the winners to take the next step in publishing their own books.
- Nomination for the Grand Contest: Winners of each of the six contests will earn an automatic nomination to the Grand Flash Fiction Competition, scheduled to be held at the culmination of the series in 2018. This final competition will determine the best entries from across the entire contest timeline.
- Certificate of Achievement: Each of the top three winners will receive an official certificate issued by 24by7 Publishing, acknowledging their achievement and celebrating their contribution to Bengali literature in the flash fiction genre.
Awards for Grand Winners (2018) – The Best of the Best
At the conclusion of the contest series in 2018, 24by7 Publishing will announce the three best entries among all winners from the previous contests. These grand winners will be specially honored and rewarded with the following:
- Special Feature on the 24by7 Publishing Website: Grand winners will receive an exclusive feature on the 24by7 Publishing website. This will include their photograph, an expanded biography, and their grand-winning flash fiction or related creative content. This permanent feature is intended to spotlight their talent and mark their place in the literary community.
- INR 2,500.00 Book Publishing Gift Coupon: Each grand winner will be presented with an INR 2,500.00 gift voucher, which can be used toward the cost of publishing their own book with 24by7 Publishing. This substantial support aims to provide the winning authors with a meaningful publishing opportunity and bring their larger creative vision to life.
- Grand Winner Certificate: A special, commemorative certificate of excellence will be issued to each grand winner, clearly indicating their position as one of the best writers of the entire contest cycle.
- Publication in a Special Anthology (2020): The creative submissions of the grand winners will be officially published in an exclusive anthology curated by 24by7 Publishing in 2020. This highly anticipated publication will feature their award-winning flash fiction works, along with other selected entries from the contest series. Additionally, the book will include original flash fiction from a range of celebrated, upcoming, and influential Bengali authors—making it a significant literary compilation of contemporary Bengali short-form storytelling.
Back to the top | Awards | Contest summary | Flash Fiction | Rules & Regulations | Submit your entry.
Contest Summary
International Bengali Flash Fiction Contest Series
Organized by 24by7 Publishing
The International Bengali Flash Fiction Contest (আন্তর্জাতিক বাংলা অণু-গল্প প্রতিযোগিতা), organized by 24by7 Publishing, is a prestigious multi-phase literary event created to promote and celebrate short-form storytelling in the Bengali language. The series comprises six unique contests, each centered around a distinct human emotion or universal theme. The winning entries from each contest will be considered for a final grand competition, culminating in the publication of a curated anthology in 2020.
Below is a detailed summary of each contest in the series. Please refer to the rules & regulations section for eligibility, submission format, and other important guidelines.
First International Bengali Flash Fiction Contest
- Theme: ক্রোধ / রাগ (Anger)
- Submission Deadline: May 15, 2014
- Submission Status: Closed (Submission date has expired)
- Winner Announcement: Winners will be declared on the date of the book’s official release.
- Notes: The contest received an overwhelming response, and final selections are currently under review for inclusion in the anthology.
Stay connected—follow this page and our official Facebook handle to receive timely updates on results, publication dates, and more.
Second International Bengali Flash Fiction Contest
- Theme: কাম / রিরংসা (Lust)
- Submission Deadline: December 15, 2018
- Submission Status: Open (Submissions are currently being accepted)
- Winner Announcement: To be declared after judging and shortlisting are complete.
- Notes: Writers are encouraged to submit their original flash fiction pieces based on the complex and layered emotion of desire. Submissions must reflect depth, brevity, and cultural relevance.
Interested participants are advised to submit their entries before the deadline and refer to the detailed submission guidelines provided on the contest portal.
Third International Bengali Flash Fiction Contest
- Theme: To be announced
- Submission Deadline: To be announced
- Submission Status: Closed (Submissions not being accepted at this time)
- Winner Announcement: Will be published after the contest is conducted and judged.
- Notes: Further details regarding this contest will be updated in due course. Please check back for announcements.
Fourth International Bengali Flash Fiction Contest
- Theme: To be announced
- Submission Deadline: To be announced
- Submission Status: Closed
- Winner Announcement: Yet to be declared
- Notes: Information about the theme, submission date, and judging process will be revealed later.
Fifth International Bengali Flash Fiction Contest
- Theme: To be announced
- Submission Deadline: To be announced
- Submission Status: Closed
- Winner Announcement: To be announced
- Notes: Please revisit this page or follow our official social media channels for the latest updates.
Sixth International Bengali Flash Fiction Contest
- Theme: To be announced
- Submission Deadline: To be announced
- Submission Status: Closed
- Winner Announcement: Will be disclosed after final evaluation
- Notes: This will be the final contest in the six-part series, after which the grand finale and publication of the anthology will be announced.
Organized by 24by7 Publishing
As the culmination of the International Bengali Flash Fiction Contest Series initiated in 2014, 24by7 Publishing will host the prestigious Grand Contest—bringing together the best of the best from all six flash fiction contests held under this banner.
Overview
At the end of the contest cycle, all top-selected participants from the six qualifying flash fiction competitions will be officially nominated for the 24by7 Publishing 2015 International Bengali Flash Fiction Grand Contest. This final contest is designed to showcase the most powerful voices in short-form Bengali storytelling—voices that have risen to the top through a competitive and merit-based selection process.
The Grand Contest is not a standalone competition but a final evaluation round where only previously qualified contestants from the earlier six contests will compete for the top honor. It represents the highest level of recognition offered through this literary initiative.
Publication & Recognition
The most outstanding flash fiction submissions from the Grand Contest will be compiled and published by 24by7 Publishing in a special anthology, scheduled for release in 2015. This publication will not only feature the grand-winning stories but also include handpicked works from other talented participants across all six contests.
Adding further prestige, the anthology will also feature original flash fiction contributions by some of the most celebrated, promising, and emerging Bengali authors of our time. It aims to be a landmark publication—one that captures the essence of contemporary Bengali micro-literature through a rich blend of emerging and established voices.
Current Status
- Nomination Process: Open only to qualified contestants from the six earlier contests.
- Eligibility: Must have secured a winning position (Top 3) in one of the six International Bengali Flash Fiction contests held from 2014 to 2019.
- Submission Status: Closed to new participants. Only previously selected authors are eligible.
- Winner Announcement: To be declared at a later date, following internal evaluation and editorial curation.
Through this Grand Contest, 24by7 Publishing reaffirms its commitment to building a vibrant global platform for Bengali writers and enriching the cultural fabric of Bengali literature through the dynamic form of flash fiction.
For future announcements, release details, and publication previews, please keep following this page and stay connected through our official Facebook updates.
2014 International Bengali Flash Fiction Grand Contest
Presented by 24by7 Publishing
The 2014 International Bengali Flash Fiction Grand Contest serves as the ultimate stage of the multi-phase literary journey initiated by 24by7 Publishing. This grand contest is designed to bring together the finest talents discovered through the six individual contests conducted between 2014 and 2019 under the International Bengali Flash Fiction series.
Grand Finale of the Series
At the conclusion of the six contests, all top-performing and selected contestants—those who secured a winning position or received special recognition—will be formally nominated for the 2015 International Bengali Flash Fiction Grand Contest. This final contest aims to identify the most outstanding flash fiction writers from among all earlier phases and celebrate the highest standards of Bengali micro-literature.
Unlike standalone competitions, the grand contest is exclusively open to qualified participants—those who have already demonstrated excellence and earned their place through prior selection. It serves as the final round of evaluation, where the best of the best are considered for the top literary honor of the series.
Anthology Publication in 2015
The most exceptional flash fiction entries from this grand contest will be compiled into a special anthology to be published by 24by7 Publishing in 2015. This commemorative publication will serve not only as a showcase of the grand winners’ talent but also as a literary archive that reflects the depth and diversity of Bengali flash fiction in the contemporary era.
This anthology will feature:
- The winning entries from the Grand Contest.
- Selected submissions from earlier rounds of the series.
- Flash fiction contributions from renowned, emerging, and promising Bengali authors, creating a rich, multi-voiced collection that represents both new and established literary talent.
This unique publication will offer readers a chance to experience a powerful cross-section of modern Bengali storytelling in its most compact and evocative form.
Current Status
- Eligibility: Participation in this grand contest is by nomination only, granted to winners and selected authors from the six preceding contests.
- Submission Status: Closed to general entries. Only qualified nominees may participate.
- Winner Announcement: To be declared upon completion of internal evaluations and editorial decisions.
The 2014 Grand Contest stands as a tribute to the creative spirit of Bengali literature and the global Bengali-speaking community. It is not just a competition—it is a literary celebration, a publishing opportunity, and a historic documentation of evolving narrative styles in flash fiction.
Stay tuned to 24by7 Publishing’s website and official social media channels for future announcements, the list of grand winners, and details regarding the book’s release.
Back to the top | Awards | Contest summary | Flash Fiction | Rules & Regulations | Submit your entry
অণু-গল্প বা Flash Fiction
What is Flash fiction
অণু-গল্প সাহিত্যের একটি বিশেষ ধারা । Sudden fiction, micro fiction, micro-story, short short, postcard fiction - এমন বহু ডাক নামে পরিচিত হলেও, ২০০০ সাল পর্যন্ত্য, অধুনা "Flash Fiction" নামে বিখ্যাত সাহিত্যের এই ধারাটি, "short short story" নামেই পরিচিত ছিল। চীনারা আবার খুব সহজ ভাবে একে বুঝিয়ে থাকেন - একটি সিগারেট শেষ হওয়ার আগেই পাঠক শেষ করে ফেলতে পারবেন একটি অণু-গল্প। ‘অণু’ শব্দের অর্থ ক্ষুদ্র । অর্থাৎ খুব স্বল্প পরিসরে লেখা গল্পকে অণু-গল্প বলা যেতে পারে । কিন্তু শুধু পরিধি দিয়ে কি সত্যি-ই মাপা যেতে পারে অণু গল্পের বিশালতা ? অণু গল্পের plot বা গল্প-ভাবনা একটা বড় গল্প হয়ে ওঠার সব রকম ক্ষমতা রাখবে। কিন্তু কোনমতেই তা যেন সারসংক্ষেপ না হয় । ক্ষুদ্র পরিসরে ছোট গল্পের সব রকম গুণ এতে থাকতে হবে । অণু গল্প আজকের দিনের T -২০ ম্যাচ, যেখানে সীমিত পরিসরে লেখক প্রমাণ করে দেবে তার ধক, চিনিয়ে দেবে কলমের ধার। একটা সার্থক অণু- গল্পকে একটি সার্থক কবিতার সাথেও অনেকে তুলনা করে । কত কম সময়ে লেখক পাঠকের মনে নিজের সৃষ্টির একটা ছাপ ফেলতে পারে, অণু-গল্প তারই চ্যালেঞ্জ ।
Flash Fiction (other names - short short story, sudden fiction, micro fiction, micro-story, short short, postcard fiction) is a special style of the fiction literature. The term "short short story" was the most common term until about 2000, when it was overtaken by "flash fiction". In China the style is frequently called a "smoke long" or "palm-sized" story, with the comparison being that the story should be finished before the reader could finish smoking a cigarette.Flash Fiction is the art of telling a story in a very short range of words. The theme/plot of a flash fiction should have all the ingredients within to become a good short story. But it should not just be the plot-summary. It should contain all the qualities of a short story - but in small scale. Flash fictions can be compared with T-20 matches where only the talented one proves themselves in the limited overs. Some may compare flash fiction to a successful poem . Flash fiction is a challenge for the authors to impress the readers within a limited time-frame.
References (তথ্য সূত্র):
- Batchelor, Bob. Cult Pop Culture: How the Fringe Became Mainstream. Praeger, 2011, p 81.
- Cohen, Elizabeth. Flash fiction strives for big impact with few words. Press & Sun-Bulletin. Aug 13, 2000, Living p. 1
- Wikipedia – Flash fiction
- Google n-grams
Awards
Contest summary
Flash Fiction
Rules & Regulations
Submit your entry
Back to the top | Awards | Contest summary | Flash Fiction | Rules & Regulations | Submit your entry
Official Rules & Regulations
International Bengali Flash Fiction Contest
Organized by 24by7 Publishing
These Official Rules and Regulations govern the conduct of all six contests under the International Bengali Flash Fiction Contest series organized by 24by7 Publishing. Participation in this contest constitutes full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of the terms and conditions set forth below.
Eligibility Criteria
- The contest is open to writers of all nationalities, provided that the submission is written in Bengali Unicode.
- There is no entry fee or purchase required to participate. Entry into this contest is completely free of charge.
- Only the first 50 valid entries received for each individual contest will be accepted for consideration. Early submissions are therefore encouraged.
- Participants are required to:
- Follow 24by7 Publishing on either Google+ and/or Twitter, and
- Like the official Facebook page of 24by7 Publishing.
Entry & Submission Guidelines
- All entries must be submitted exclusively through the official online entry form. No physical or email submissions will be accepted.
- The submission must be completed by the participant themselves—third-party or proxy submissions are not permitted.
- The word count for each flash fiction entry must be between 200 to 500 words, inclusive.
- Entries must be written in Bengali Unicode, submitted as either a .doc or .docx file format.
- Participants unfamiliar with Bengali Unicode are encouraged to use tools like Google Input Tools or Avro Keyboard for accurate script formatting.
Contest Timelines
- The start and end dates for each contest will be clearly announced on the 24by7 Publishing website.
- Submissions must be made within the specified period. Late entries will not be considered under any circumstances.
Formatting & Anonymity
- Each entry must be anonymously submitted. Do not include your name or contact details in the story file itself.
- A separate section within the entry form will collect necessary personal details, which will remain confidential and will not be visible to the judges.
- Spelling or typographical errors in the story may lead to disqualification, depending on the severity.
Judging Process
- All entries will be judged anonymously by an independent panel of qualified reviewers.
- The decision of the judges will be final, binding, and non-negotiable.
- Contestants are strictly prohibited from attempting to contact the judges or influence the judging process in any way. Such attempts will result in immediate disqualification and a permanent ban from all future contests organized by 24by7 Publishing.
Disqualification Criteria
Submissions may be disqualified for the following reasons:
- Multiple entries submitted by the same person for a single contest.
- Submissions that have been previously published, whether in print or digital format.
- Stories that contain plagiarized content or violate any copyright laws. Such entries will not only be disqualified but may also result in an indefinite ban.
- Attempts to communicate with organizers or judges via email, phone, or social media about contest outcomes or processes.
- Failure to comply with any of the rules outlined in this document.
Winner Announcement & Publication Rights
- The list of winners will be officially announced on the 24by7 Publishing website following the conclusion of each contest.
- All winning and shortlisted entries will be published under the banner of 24by7 Publishing, and the publishing rights—including both digital and print—will be retained by 24by7 Publishing.
- By participating, the contestant grants 24by7 Publishing the right to use their name, biography, photograph, and content for commercial or non-commercial promotional purposes across any media platform—print, digital, or broadcast—without further consent or compensation.
Photograph Submission Guidelines
- Contestants must upload a passport-size photograph (2″ x 2″), in color, in either formal or informal attire.
- The image should have a minimum resolution of 300 DPI and must be in .JPG format.
Legal Notice & Organizer Rights
- 24by7 Publishing reserves the right to change, amend, or cancel any part of the contest—including these rules—at any time, without prior notice.
- The organizer also reserves the right to cancel the contest entirely if deemed necessary, at its sole discretion.
- Failure to comply with any of the above rules and regulations may lead to disqualification without appeal.
- The organizer maintains the right to permanently disqualify any participant found violating the terms intentionally.
For all official updates, please visit the 24by7 Publishing website and follow us on our verified social media handles.
Back to the top | Awards | Contest summary | Flash Fiction | Rules & Regulations | Submit your entry
Submit your entry now!
Only first 50 valid entries will be eligible!
Don’t forget to read the rules & regulations.
[Submission form]