French Authors Invited to Join the AEAP Short Story Contest 2026
The Association des Écrivains et Artistes Paysans (AEAP) has announced the return of its short story competition for 2026, now running for the third consecutive year. The contest continues to celebrate literary creativity in rural France and aims to bring new voices to light.
A Literary Contest Honouring Jean de la Brète
French writers, get writing!
The Association des Écrivains et Artistes Paysans (AEAP) launches the third edition of its Short Story Contest, open now through March 31, 2026. The prize pays tribute to Jean de la Brète (pen name of Alice Cherbonnel, born in Saumur in 1858), author of the celebrated 1889 novel Mon oncle et mon curé. Winners will be announced in June 2026, with prizes presented during the AEAP’s annual congress in early September 2026.
How to Enter: The Key Rules
The competition is open to all French-speaking authors, whether amateur or experienced. Each participant may submit one original, unpublished story, written in French and never awarded elsewhere. AI-generated texts are strictly prohibited.
Here’s what you need to know before submitting.
Story requirements:
Must begin with the sentence: “Ce sol, il (elle) l’aimait plus que tout…”
Length between 2,000 and 10,000 characters (including spaces)
Format: A4, Times New Roman 12, line spacing 1.5, paginated, PDF or Word
The author’s name must not appear in the text
Add a code above the title (three uppercase letters + three digits, e.g. DTL568)
How to submit:
By email: send your file (named with your code only) to prix.jeandelabrete@gmail.com
By post: mail one stapled copy, a sealed identification envelope (containing your name, date of birth, address, phone, email, and code, plus a signed statement: “Je m’engage sur l’honneur à respecter le règlement du concours.”), and the €12 entry fee to:
Michel PONTOIRE – Concours Nouvelle, 6 rue de la Pierre, 49000 ANGERS, France
Must arrive by March 31, 2026 (postmark valid). No registered mail.
Fees and prizes:
Entry fee: €12 (cheque payable to AEAP or by transfer upon request)
Prizes: €500 (1st place), €250 (2nd), €100 (3rd)
The jury may decide not to award a prize if submissions fall short of the expected quality
Results and publication:
Results will be announced in June 2026
Winners will receive their awards during the AEAP congress in September 2026
Selected stories may be published in an anthology, with authors’ consent; each published author will receive a free copy
