The Ministry of Culture of Turkmenistan has officially opened applications for the 8th International Mahmud Kashgari Short Story Competition. Organized in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Eurasia Writers' Union, the literary contest invites local authors to submit previously unpublished and unawarded short stories on any topic of their choice. Writers are permitted to enter the competition with up to two individual stories focusing on different themes.

Submissions must adhere to strict guidelines, requiring a word count between 1,000 and 7,500 words, formatted in a 12-point font size. Authors are required to use a literary pseudonym, which must be clearly stated at the beginning of the text. To preserve artistic integrity, all entries must display genuine individual authorship; stories generated or assisted by Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools will be disqualified. Submitted manuscripts will not be returned to the applicants.

Candidates must submit their digital and printed manuscripts along with supporting documents, including a biography, passport copy, and contact details, to the Ministry's designated email address by July 31, 2026. The top-rated national entries will be forwarded to the grand jury via the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY). Winners will receive substantial cash prizes in Turkish Lira during an official awards ceremony scheduled for December 2026.