Entries open 1–30 November 2026 Enter the Prize →
The Aporia Prize · 2026

Our first prize. For the writers who found us,
and the ones about to.

Every beginning
is a threshold.

Aporia's inaugural writing competition on the theme of Thresholds — the doorways, the almosts, the in-between. Show us one.

Enter the Prize See the Prizes
Open 1–30 Nov · Winners 8 Dec · Poetry · Fiction · Essays · Flash

The Theme

Thresholds

A threshold is a place you can stand in but not stay. The moment before the door opens. The last line of a letter you never sent. The country you left, the person you were about to become. Aporia itself means an impasse that is also an opening — so for our first prize, we asked for yours. Write the crossing, in whatever form carries it.

What You Can Win

The Prizes

A cash prize, a feature, a place in a special edition — and, for everyone who enters, the detailed reading Aporia is known for.

First Prize
Winner
₹5,000

+ featured publication
+ special-edition cover placement
+ winner's card & full spotlight

Second
₹3,000

+ featured publication
+ special edition
+ contributor card

Third
₹2,000

+ featured publication
+ special edition
+ contributor card

Special Mentions  ·  up to five · published in the special edition, each with its own mention card

Every entrant receives personal, detailed feedback on their piece — and is considered for the special edition.

The Process

How to Enter

Three steps, a few minutes.

1

Write to the theme

One piece — poetry (up to 3 poems), fiction or flash (up to 2,500 words), or an essay. Original, unpublished, and yours. No AI-generated work.

2

Submit your piece

Paste your work into the entry form with your details. It takes a few minutes.

3

Pay the entry fee

You're taken straight to Razorpay to pay ₹200 (India) or $5 (international). The fee supports the journal and your detailed critique.

The Calendar

Key Dates

1 November

Entries open

Submissions begin. The threshold is open.

30 November · 23:59 IST

Entries close

The final deadline. No late entries.

1–6 December

Judging

Every piece is read closely and screened to Aporia's standard.

8 December

Winners announced

Winners and special mentions published, and the special edition released.

Good to Know

Questions

Who can enter?
Any writer, anywhere, of any age. Aporia is a journal for young and emerging writers, and all are welcome. Writers under 18 are eligible for every prize; a parent or guardian's consent is required before a young winner is published or paid.
What's the fee for?
It supports Aporia — a small, independent journal — and it guarantees you a detailed, personal reading of your work, which we give to every entrant, win or not. It is not a "pay to win": judging is purely on the writing.
Who judges the prize?
Entries are read and judged by the full Aporia editorial team. Judging is purely on the writing.
Can I get a refund?
Entry fees are non-refundable. The one exception: if we fail to send you your personal feedback, we will refund your fee in full. No other refunds are given, including for entries that are disqualified.
Can I enter more than one piece?
Yes — each piece is a separate entry with its own fee. A poetry entry may contain up to three poems as a single set.
Does it have to be about the word "threshold"?
No. Interpret Thresholds however you like — literally or loosely. We care that the piece lives somewhere in that idea, not that it names it.
What about AI?
Entries must be your own, human-written work. We screen submissions, and AI-generated writing is disqualified without refund. This protects every honest entrant. AI-assisted translation of your own original work is permitted (see below).
Can someone help me with my entry?
You can ask a teacher, parent or friend what they think of your piece, but every word must be yours. Co-writing, ghostwriting, and having someone else draft or edit your entry (paid or unpaid) are not allowed, and entries that break this rule may be disqualified without refund. Please don't offer or ask for this kind of help in our community groups either.
Can I enter work translated from another language?
Yes, as long as the original work is your own. You may use AI tools to help with the translation. Please include the original-language text with your entry and a short note saying how it was translated. We judge authenticity on the original.
Do I keep the rights to my work?
Yes. You keep full copyright. By entering you grant Aporia first publication rights for winning and selected pieces; everything else remains entirely yours.
How are winners paid?
By bank transfer or UPI in India, and the appropriate method internationally. For winners under 18, prizes are arranged with a parent or guardian.

Cross ours.

The threshold is open from the first of November. Bring us the crossing only you could write.

Enter the Prize — ₹200 / $5
Entries open 1 November 2026 · Deadline 30 November · Winners 8 December