Summer 2018 Flash Fiction Contest – Round #1
Round—and Prompt— #1 of our Summer 2018 Flash Fiction Contest here! (You can read all of our winners from 2015, 2016, and 2017 here.)
What is it? Our flash fiction series invites writers to write short pieces in response to photos we post.
How does it work? We’ll supply an image from our photo archive and invite writers to respond with flash fiction inspired by the photo, up to 500 words. Remember: You, or your piece, must have a Midwest connection. Each image will be open for submissions for just under 1 week, and we will take a few days for reading and balloting before beginning the next round. At the end of all three rounds, the top (2) entries we feel best represent the photos from each round will be published on the Midwestern Gothic website.
How long is the series? We will be doing this throughout the month of July and early August — which nets out to (3) rounds of images (three submission periods). Round 1 starts on Monday, July 9, 2018 (and ends on Saturday, July 14, 2018 before midnight EST); the prompt is below and will be posted on all social media channels, too. Winners will be announced and winning pieces (winner + runner-up) will be posted after the submission periods for all three rounds are finished, in the first week of August.
How do you submit? Send submissions to Ariel at ariel@midwestgothic.com. Use the subject line “Summer Flash Round X – Author Name – Name of Piece.” For example: Summer Flash Round 1 – Joan Smith – “Eyes of the Wild.” Remember: Include a third-person bio of up to 150 words with your submission.
You can find all guidelines here, including how to submit (and where!). We can’t wait to read your work!
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Prompt #1: Take a look at the following photo, and create a piece of flash fiction inspired by it.
Prompt #1 due date (before midnight EST): Saturday, July 14 2018
Prompt #1 winners published: Monday, August 6 2018
Prompt #1: “Beautiful Junk” by Dawn Olsen
