Abbey Hill Literary's 1st Quarter 2010 challenges are here,
plus a NEW, separate, Flash Fiction competition!
Submission Deadline: February 28, 2010
Select one of the following five challenges and write a short story of up to 1,500 words that begins with the words of that challenge.
1. You gotta' love an underdog. That's why...
2. Leslie tightened her (his) rain soaked hood, shoved her (his) spade into the muddy dirt, and...
3. Sometimes a kiss is...
4. On her (his, my) left, sun-coaxed daisies waved at the sun, while on her (his,my) right, snow spatter clung to ice blasted trees.
5. Dan guessed the truth was somewhere in the middle.
(feel free to substitute "he," "she," "I," or another character name)
OR, select one of the two scenarios below and write a short story of up to 1,500 words that incorporates that scenario.
6. Write a story where the plot or main action takes place at a circus, carnival or state fair. Make us feel the thrum of the creaky rides, hear the scratchy voices of the carnival barkers, or smell the greasy food. Is there danger and intrigue, or are children giggling over cute stuffed animals to be won with the toss of a ball? Take us there.
7. Write a story in which the main character, in some way, dies and is reborn. Does s/he go to heaven? Hell? Come back as a grizzly bear or a dragonfly? Return as a child born half way round the world? Or is s/he given a chance to start over in this life? Surprise us with your short story interpretation of this age-old theme.
NEW THIS QUARTER: Abbey Hill Literary is happy to announce the addition of a NEW and separate Flash Fiction contest (up to 750 words) with, at this time, a single prize of $100.00. The use of the above prompts and scenarios is NOT required for this 750 word competition, and your story may incorporate any theme or plot (excluding, as always, erotica or extreme violence or gore). Quarterly entries for this contest will be judged separately from entries using the above challenges. Entry fee is $10, or, $20 if a critique is requested.
As in previous Abbey Hill Literary competitions, your short story contest entry that uses one of the above seven challenges must begin with the exact words of one of the opening lines, numbered 1 through 5 above, OR it must fit within one of the two scenarios, numbered 6 and 7, above. You may enter just one, or as many short stories into the contest as you wish, but a separate entry fee of $10.00 is required for each individual story entered. If you wish to receive a critique of your short story, a total entry fee of $20.00 (which includes one entry fee and one critique) is required. Critiques are mailed within 45 days after the close of each contest. Also, be sure to include a title for your story.
If you use one of the above seven challenges, and if the opening words of your short story are not exactly as shown in Challenges 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, OR your story line does not fit within Challenges 6 or 7, your story will be disqualified, discarded, and entry fee forfeited.
Any short story exceeding 1,500 words if using one of the above challenges, or exceeding 750 words if entered into the separate Flash Fiction contest, will also be disqualified, discarded, and entry fee forfeited. Stories received without entry fee will be discarded without being read or evaluated. Abbey Hill Literary uses the MS Word count function to determine number of words.
via ahliterary.com