The Editor Unleashedl/Smashwords Flash Fiction 40 Contest deadline for entries was midnight last Sunday.
40 first-round “winners” will soon be announced, and because Editor Unleashed Forum members themselves are reading and voting on the 40 online, all stories are up and can be viewed here. It’s a classy field. If you’d enjoy a few quick hits of excellent flash fiction every (1000 words or under), head on over.
Historically, I’d have to say that fiction contests generally haven’t been my cup of tea. I’ve always felt that trying to make it as a writer is enough of a gamble already, so rather than pulling contest entries together, your time would be better spent researching markets and tending to your submissions.
I’ve never entered one. I’ve never bought a lottery ticket either, nor have I played roulette or volunteered for a dangerous military mission. It must be my nature: I’m fundamentally a dour Scot with a dim view of my prospects in any game of chance.
But wait a minute…chance? Gamble? Don’t contest winners truly earn their prize? Sure they do–they’ve written a fine story. But I’ve judged a few contests myself, so I’m acutely aware that, near the end of the process, there will inevitably be 10, 15, 20 fine stories, any one of them deserving the win. So you just…pick.
Not a sanguine view.
On the other hand, this contest (which I almost entered myself), has made me soften my negativity. For future reference, here’s how it works:
- Entrants post to a thread in the Editor Unleashed Forum.
- Forum readers and members read and rate each story on a 5-point scale.
- A single Grand Prize Winner is chosen from the top 40 by Maria Schneider, publisher of Editor Unleashed, and “a select group of editors and agents.”
- The Grand Prize Winner takes home $500. If you’re one of the 40, you pocket $25.
- All winning stories will be promoted on the Editor Unleashed and Smashwords blogs.
How refreshing–a short fiction contest NOT taking place inside a literary black box. I mean, isn’t the concept of a completely “open” contest closest to what we all hold as an ideal? And how about that entry fee? Zilch. Somebody pinch me! Maria has designed an ideal contest, and I hope she runs it every year for a long, long time.
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