Precocious Prize for Fantasy – Competition Terms

Last updated: April 2026

These Competition Terms apply to the Precocious Prize for Fantasy, run by Precocious Press.

They should be read alongside the general Terms & Conditions of Precocious Press.

By submitting an entry, you agree to these terms.

1. About the Prize

The Precocious Prize for Fantasy is a short story competition run by Precocious Press, the publishing imprint of Infinite Upstart, operated by Michelle Allen (writing as Michelle Arden Moore).

2. Eligibility

  • The competition is open to writers aged 16 and over

  • Entries are accepted internationally unless otherwise stated

3. Entry Requirements

  • Entries must be original, unpublished work

  • Maximum word count: 6,000 words

  • Entries must be written in English

  • Submissions must follow the guidelines provided on the competition page

Precocious Press reserves the right to disqualify entries that do not meet these requirements.

4. Entry Fee

  • The entry fee is £9.75 per submission

Submission does not guarantee shortlist, publication, or feedback.

5. Content

We welcome romantic and sexually explicit content where it serves the story.
All such content must involve consenting adult characters (18+).
Consensual BDSM, physically intense or charged encounters, and enemies-to-lovers dynamics are welcome; submissions containing non-consensual acts will not be accepted.

6. Submission and Ownership

By submitting an entry, you confirm that:

  • the work is your own original writing

  • you hold the full rights to the work

  • the work does not infringe any third-party rights

All copyright remains with the author unless otherwise agreed in writing.

6. Judging

  • Entries will be judged by Precocious Press

  • All judging decisions are final

  • We are unable to give feedback

Prizes and shortlist selections will be awarded based on the quality of submissions received.

7. Prizes

  • Prizes will be as stated on the competition page

8. Publication and Rights

If your work is shortlisted or selected:

  • You will be contacted with full publication details

  • You will be required to grant Precocious Press a non-exclusive licence to publish your work in the anthology and associated formats, including print and digital editions

  • Full publication terms will be provided at that stage

  • Copyright will remain with you unless otherwise agreed

No rights are transferred at the point of submission.

9. Promotion

Precocious Press may:

  • publish author names and story titles for shortlisted and winning entries

  • request to use specific extracts of selected work for promotional purposes by agreement with the author

This includes use across website, social media, and marketing materials.

10. Changes and Cancellation

Precocious Press reserves the right to:

  • amend these Competition Terms

  • modify the competition timeline

If the competition is cancelled before judging has commenced, entry fees will be refunded.

11. Liability

Precocious Press is not responsible for:

  • technical issues affecting submission

  • lost, incomplete, or delayed entries

Total liability is limited to the entry fee paid.

12. Governing Law

These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

13. Contact

For questions about the competition:

michelle [at] infiniteupstart.com