Glimmer Train - Very Short Story Contest

Glimmer Train is interested in original, unpublished very short stories (under 3,000 words).

Note: When they accept a story for publication, they are purchasing first-publication rights.

Submission guidelines: Please send your work via their new online submission procedure.

Deadline is Aug. 31, 2009. Reading fee is $15 per story.

Prizes:
1st place wins $1,200, publication in Glimmer Train Stories, and 20 copies of that issue.
2nd-place: $500
3rd-place:$300

Click here for more information.

Flash Fiction Contest

NANO Fiction is proud to announce their first annual NANO Prize, to be awarded to a flash fiction piece, prose poem, or micro essay of 300 words or less. The winner will receive $500.

The entry fee is $12 for the first three pieces, and $2 for each additional piece. Those twelve bucks also gets you a one year subscription to NANO Fiction.

Mail all entries and cover letters with a check or money order to:

NANO Prize
PO Box 667445
Houston, TX 77266-7445

Make all checks payable to NANO Fiction. Contest deadline is August 1, 2009.

For more information, click here.

Michael Perry Writing Retreat

Spend a week with Michael Perry, Aug. 10-14, in Mineral Point, WI. The creative nonfiction writing retreat will begin each day with a writing workshop led by Perry. Afternoons will be spent in free writing and there will be readings in the evenings. Fee is $380. The event is held at Shake Rag Alley; for more information, click here.

Writing Prompt - June 6

The writing prompt for the June 6th meeting is: "Three witches blew over." Use it in a poem, essay, story or sketch. Have fun!

Writer's Journal Contest

Writer's Journal is currently sponsoring a contest themed "Romance." Stories should be 2000 words or less. There is a $7 entry fee; deadline is July 31, 2009. Cash prizes and publication in Writer's Journal will be awarded to first, second and third place.

For submission guidelines and other information, please click here.

Glimmer Train - Family Matters

A prize of $1,200 and publication in Glimmer Train Stories is given twice yearly for a short original, unpublished story about family. Submit a story of up to 12,000 words with a $15 entry fee; submission accepted in the month of July only.

Visit the Web site for complete guidelines.

Author Visit - Elizabeth Berg

You're invited to the Oshkosh Public Library for a book talk & signing with New York TImes best-selling author Elizabeth Berg at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 13. She will talk about her latest novel, Home Safe. Visit Elizabeth Berg's website for more information about her books.

Copies of Home Safe may be pre-ordered from Apple Blossom Books or purchased at the library the evening of the event.

Improve Your Writing

There's a great article for beginning writers titled "Learn the Techniques of Writing Before You Write" by Carolyn McKay. The article breaks down the writing process, from how to organize your ideas to complete a writing project.

Writing Prompt - May 16

The writing prompt for Saturday, May 16 is "At least I'm making a lot of money."

Use it in a poem, story, essay or sketch. Have fun!