Flash Fiction Writing Contest

Saul Bellow was not one for brevity, so perhaps we’re just being cheeky. In any case, the most “macro” of books has inspired the “micro” in us, and we’re holding a flash fiction contest. Give us your teeny tiny version of the great American novel, your “I am an American, Chicago born” in 750 words or less. Stories must be set in Chicago, and, more importantly, inspired by Chicago, just as Bellow was. The entries will be judged by Stuart Dybek, an expert in both flash fiction and Chicago, whose collection The Coast of Chicago was the One Book, One Chicago selection in spring 2004. Three finalists will read their work at the event at Stop Smiling on Thursday, October 13; and the winner will have their work published in a future issue of the newly revitalized magazine The Chicagoan.

Postmark Deadline: Friday, September 23, 2011

• Reading Fee: None
• Send no more than three pieces per entry, 750-word maximum per piece.
• Only one entry per person.
• All entries must be prose fiction.
• All entries must be submitted via email to onebookonechicago.contests@gmail.com.
• All entries must be anonymously submitted (see below).
• Previously published works and works forthcoming elsewhere are acceptable.
• Simultaneous submissions are OK.
• All entrants must currently live in the Chicagoland area.

Entrants must include their name, phone number, postal address and email address in the body of their email. Please attach each entry as its own .doc or .pdf file. No personal information may be included on the entries themselves. One Book, One Chicago cannot consider work from anyone who is a current or former student of the prize judge. We also will not consider work from anyone who is a personal friend of the judge. Winners will be notified by email on or around October 6.