Here’s an interesting press release I just received about a short fiction writing contest hosted by NPR:
NPR CHALLENGES AUDIENCES TO WRITE “THREE MINUTE FICTION”
ALL THINGS CONSIDERED WEEKEND CONTEST ACCEPTING
ORIGINAL SHORT STORY SUBMISSIONS UNTIL FEBRUARY 28 AT NPR.ORG
Many people aspire to write the great American novel, and NPR is offering an opportunity to take a giant baby step toward that goal by asking audiences to type an epic 600 words. NPR News’ weekend version of the newsmagazine All Things Considered appeals to listeners’ inner authors with a third round of “Three Minute Fiction” – a contest seeking original short stories that can be read in three minutes or less. Entries will be accepted beginning this weekend.
The popular “Three Minute Fiction” contest returns with a new twist after receiving thousands of entries in previous rounds. This time, All Things Considered challenges writers to come up with a story inspired by a photograph selected by the show’s staff. Prospective entrants can kickstart their imaginations by viewing the image at the “Three Minute Fiction” site: www.npr.org/threeminutefiction Stories can be submitted now until February 28 using the site’s online form.
The winning story will be read on-air during All Things Considered weekend and the author will also be interviewed by host Guy Raz. Preliminary judging will be conducted by students at the prestigious Iowa Writers’ Workshop at the University of Iowa, and the winner will be selected from the finalists by NPR book reviewer Alan Cheuse. Complete contest rules are available at npr.org.
By tapping listeners’ creativity and talent, “Three Minute Fiction” continues All Things Considered weekend’s effort to bring listeners into the conversation. The competition’s two previous rounds featured judging by The New Yorker literary critic James Wood and received more than 8,000 entries in total. A fourth round will begin shortly after the current one wraps, with judging by Ann Patchett, bestselling author of Bel Canto, The Magician’s Assistant and What Now?.
The Algonquin Area Writer's Group 