FlashLIT is a hallmark of applied learning at UNCW where the entire student body is invited to participate. This is a writing competition where contestants have one week to write 500 words (or less) in any genre of writing. The top three winners are awarded monetary prizes. The three winners, along with selected honorable mentions, are published in an anthology each year. Students from the Creative Writing Department Publishing Lab will produce the anthology, and students in a studio art course focusing on either illustration or graphic design illustrate all entries, so it is truly a cross-campus applied learning production.
Find out more about FlashLIT 2026.
FlashLIT Writing Competition
Contest Rules
If any of these rules or formatting guidelines are not followed, your submission will be automatically disqualified.
- Must be a UNCW student, currently enrolled.
- 500 words or less.
- Must relate to the year's theme. Must mention UNCW Library.
- One entry per student.
Formatting Guidelines
- Double spaced, 12 pt., Times New Roman, 1-inch margins on all sides.
- Use one tab to indicate every paragraph indent.
- Section breaks should be notated by (***).
- Turn off all auto-formatting features (such as automatic paragraph indenting, outlining, bullet points).
- Enter only one space after terminal punctuation. If you used two spaces, search/replace to update your file.
- For dashes, use em-dash character with no space on either side, or use two hyphens, and we’ll search and replace the em-dash during typesetting.
- For any special characters or glyphs, such as trademark symbols, accents, or irregular punctuation, please note them by highlighting them in yellow. If you'd like to include a special character or a glyph but you don't know how to set it, please submit a hard copy of your story with specific instructions for the placement and type of special character to be inserted.
- Files should be saved and submitted as follows: lastname_firstname.docx.
- Submit a .docx version of your submission via the form here.
NOTE: Edits and revisions will NOT be allowed after submissions, nor will the publisher have time to check your work. Take care that your piece is fully edited and perfected before submitting.
For more information, contact Shira Pilarski.
FlashLIT Anthologies
The anthologies gathered here are the product of several years of collected student work, their themes and content ranging across the board.