As part of Banned Books Week 2018, the Public Library Association has announced a short-story writing contest, opening on Tuesday, September 25th to Tuesday, October 30th.The theme for the national short story contest is:
COURAGE
Courage is defined as “mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty” (Merriam-Webster). Courage is an essential element to storytelling. It allows characters to confront their fears and persist despite the circumstances.
Courage allows people to do what they’ve never imagined themselves capable of before….
From giving a voice to someone who is silenced, to standing your ground in the face of a dragon, to feeling strong and proud in your own skin, and to making the leap into the unknown: We all take courage.
And lastly, to the courageous writers who go forth to set free their story, take strength in knowing that the literary community supports you. You are fulfilling the mission of the American library: “to preserve our democratic society by making available the widest possible range of viewpoints, opinions and ideas, so that all individuals have the opportunity to become lifelong learners – informed, literate, educated, and culturally enriched,” (Council of the American Library Association, 1999).
All participating writers are to submit no more than one short story of 8,000 characters maximum in length, spaces included.
Ready, set, go!
The contest begins on Tuesday, September 25, 2018 (12:00am CT) and the submission platform will remain open until Tuesday, October 30, 2018 (11:59pm CT).
Click here for more info and submission guidelines.
Editorial and juried review begins Tuesday, November 6, 2018 and runs through Tuesday November 20, 2018. Short Édition’s editorial team will choose 40 to 60 finalists to be announced on the website November 6. From these finalists the jury will then choose one winner and two runners-up, to be announced in early December.
Writers, please note that in order to submit your story and engage with other stories, commenting and liking as you wish, you must first create your own account with Short Édition.
For full rules and submission guidlelines, visit: https://short-edition.com/en/contest/set-stories-free-2018