Welcome to the Comedy Short Story Competition for CEA Between the Laughter, a celebration of wit, humour, and the moments that make us smile. This anthology invites writers to craft lighthearted and entertaining tales that bring joy and laughter to readers around the world.
We’re looking for stories that explore the funny side of life—whether through sharp satire, whimsical adventures, or laugh-out-loud absurdity. From clever wordplay and relatable mishaps to heartwarming humour and over-the-top antics, your story should leave readers grinning from ear to ear.
Submissions start in January and close on 31 July of each year, with selected stories earning their place in this delightful collection. This anthology is set to be published toward the end of each year.
Bring the laughs, share your humour, and take us on a journey between the laughter. We can’t wait to crack up with you in our Comedy Short Story Competition!
CEA Short Story Competition Rules
Before submitting your entry for the Comedy Short Story Competition, please ensure you are familiar with the full CEA competition rules, eligibility criteria, and submission guidelines. These can be found on our dedicated CEA Short Story Competition Rules page.
This page contains all the important information you need to know, including:
- Eligibility requirements
- Submission guidelines
- Submission process and fees
- Criteria for selection
- Prizes, rights, and royalties
We encourage all writers to review the rules carefully to ensure their submission meets the requirements. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at [email protected].
Subgenres of Comedy
Comedy invites laughter, joy, and clever wit, using humor to entertain and connect with readers. Below are some examples of comedy subgenres you may explore for your submission. Please note, this is not an exhaustive list, and we encourage creative takes within the genre.
Examples of Comedy Subgenres
- Satire: Stories that use humor to critique or comment on societal, political, or cultural issues.
- Romantic Comedy: Lighthearted tales centered around love, relationships, and humorous misunderstandings.
- Dark Comedy: Humor that explores grim or taboo subjects with wit and irony.
- Slapstick Comedy: Physical humor, exaggerated scenarios, and over-the-top antics.
- Parody: Stories that humorously mimic or poke fun at other works, genres, or cultural phenomena.
- Absurdist Comedy: Narratives embracing the bizarre, illogical, and nonsensical for comedic effect.
- Workplace Comedy: Tales centered on the hilarity of professional life and office dynamics.
- Fish-Out-of-Water Comedy: Humor arising from characters placed in unfamiliar, uncomfortable, or absurd situations.
Comedy shines in its ability to bring lightness and laughter to any situation. Whether your story is sharp and satirical or playful and absurd, aim to leave readers smiling and thoroughly entertained in our Comedy Short Story Competition.
What Writers Should Focus On
The Comedy Short Story Competition encourages writers to bring joy and laughter to readers through clever, engaging, and well-crafted humor. To make your submission stand out, here are some tips and insights to guide your storytelling:
1. Start with a Strong Premise
- Choose a situation or concept that inherently lends itself to humor.
- Ensure your premise is relatable or absurd enough to grab attention and sustain the comedy throughout.
2. Build Relatable Characters
- Create characters with distinct personalities and quirks that drive the humor.
- Use their interactions, misunderstandings, or reactions to create comedic moments.
3. Use Timing and Pacing
- Comedy thrives on timing—deliver punchlines or reveals at just the right moment for maximum impact.
- Balance the humor with moments of pause to keep the story flowing naturally.
4. Explore Different Types of Humor
- Experiment with wordplay, irony, satire, or slapstick to find what suits your story best.
- Avoid over-relying on a single style; mix humor elements to keep the reader engaged.
5. Include Unexpected Twists
- Surprise your readers with plot twists or comedic situations they didn’t see coming.
- Keep the humor fresh by challenging expectations and avoiding tired tropes.
6. Avoid Forced Jokes
- Let the humor arise naturally from the characters, dialogue, and situations.
- Ensure jokes feel relevant to the story rather than inserted for the sake of being funny.
7. Deliver a Memorable Ending
- End your story on a high note with a punchline, humorous twist, or satisfying conclusion.
- Leave readers smiling or reflecting on the cleverness of your narrative.
Focus on creating a story that brings laughter while telling a meaningful and engaging tale. Let your creativity shine as you take readers Between the Laughter in the Comedy Short Story Competition.
Submission Form and Fees
To submit your entry for the Comedy Short Story Competition, please complete the form linked below. This form is required for all submissions and helps us process entries efficiently.
Submission Fees
The following submission fees apply based on your location:
- South Africa: R75 per entry
- United States: $25 USD per entry
- Europe: €25 EUR per entry
- Australia: $30 AUD per entry
- United Kingdom: £20 GBP per entry
Please read the CEA Competitions page to understand the costs and rules.
Payment Process
After completing the submission form, we will contact you to arrange payment. Payment methods include but aren’t limited to:
- EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer)
- Tymebank payment by Pick n Pay (South Africa)
- PayPal
- Payoneer
Please note that the submission fee is non-refundable, as it covers the administrative costs of evaluating and processing entries for the anthology.
Comedy Short Story Competition Submission Form
Enter the Comedy Short Story Competition Today!
The Comedy Short Story Competition is your chance to bring joy, laughter, and clever wit to readers worldwide. Craft hilarious tales and unforgettable moments as part of CEA Between the Laughter, where humor takes center stage.
Looking to Publish Your Comedy Novel?
Have a comedy novel ready to brighten the world? Celenic Earth Publications is here to help you share your humor and creativity with readers everywhere.Visit our Comedy Novel Submission Page to learn more and submit your manuscript today.