May 15th, 2025
The Short Play's the Thing is an international network of magazines for short plays and the home of the Short Plays World Cup.
The Short Play's the Thing is part of waxpoetryart.com – the website for lovers of poetry, art, photography, fiction, and plays.
Play Length – 1500 Words
There is no minimum length.
However long the duration of the play, the text of the play should not exceed 1500 words, not including the title.
Submissions are now open for the debut issue, to be published on January 15th, 2026. New issues are published on January 15th, May 15th, and September 15th of every year.
The Short Play's the Thing is published in Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada by Florencia Bay Books. Edited and designed by Kirk Ramdath. Nanaimo is located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation of the Coast Salish Peoples.
The Short Play's the Thing invites all playwrights from around the world to submit short plays to the following opportunities. Submissions are open all year, divided into three submission periods. Submissions close January 14th, May 14th, and September 14th at midnight, GMT-7, Pacific Daylight Savings Time (Vancouver).
Short Plays World Cup
Every play published in The Short Play's the Thing qualifies for the Short Plays World Cup.
The most-read plays from across the world published in all The Short Play's the Thing magazines and contests during the calendar year will be selected to
represent their nations in the Short Plays World Cup,
shining an international spotlight on your plays.
One play, representing one playwright and one nation, will become the Short Plays World Cup Champion. (More details coming.)
View the inaugural Poetry World Cup 2025, which is a model for the Short Plays World Cup.
The Short Play's the Thing Submission Opportunities
Everyone on Earth can make two separate submissions every submission period.
– A submission to Short Plays Magazine;
– A second submission to the regional publication you qualify for, based on where you live.
Submissions are Competitive
Submit to both opportunities to give the best chance of success.
Regular Submissions – International
Short Plays Magazine – Open to everyone.
Regular Submissions – Regional
Select the continent that includes where you live or is closest to where you live.
Short Plays from Africa
Short Plays from Asia and Oceania
Short Plays from Europe
Short Plays from North America
Short Plays from South America
Please send questions via email to Kirk Ramdath at info@florenciabaybooks.com.
The Short Play's the Thing is part of waxpoetryart.com.
- Visit The Short Play's the Thing Submissions page to see all opportunities.
- Visit The Short Play's the Thing Playhouse.
- This website and all contents ©Kirk Ramdath and specified artists.
(Advertisements)