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4th Annual Flash Fiction Contest – R. F. Burton Library

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

Alas, I fear I have been delayed.  This year’s annual flash fiction contest is running a bit behind.  However, this does not invalidate it and I am happy to say, the R. F. Burton Library is proud to present it’s 4th Annual Flash Fiction Contest.

Beginning December 1st through January 15th, the R. F. Burton Library will be accepting submission of the Flash Fiction Genre.  There will be a mailbox placed on the first floor of the lobbey of the library, where notecards may be submitted.. or they can be given to me directly.  (Bearing in mind, of course, my IM’s do occasionally become capped).

To clarify for newcomers, Flash Fiction is a genre of writing that challenges the author.  Complete a story, a moment in time, in 600 words or less.  Now, this may seem impossible.. but do stop by the library and pick up any (or all) of the three volumes of “Dialogues” available there.  You can see that published entries are quite entertaining and brilliant.

This year’s theme is a bit different..  Wind Up Key(s)..  You may use this phrase metaphorically, allegorically, literally, mentally, physically, or in a complete abstract sense.  As an image component, etc..  but the story must incorporate the idea or physical object somehow, in any way you care to do it or in whatever manner that portrays what it means to you.  The only standard is it must be set in a steampunk setting.

Now, here are some rules:

1.  All entries must be submitted with RFB4 and the authors name in the title of the notecard and must be submitted full perm.  (example:  RFB4 – Canolli Capalini).  Any entries without this will be summarily destroyed and ignored.

2.  All entries must have the title of the piece, the author’s name, and the WORD COUNT at the top of the notecard. 

3.  Illustrations are accepted and must be submitted full perm (that’s right, you can illustrate your magnificent Opus).

4.  Winners of the contest will be the first story featured in the publication and will receive 5000 lindens.  Subsequent runner ups will also receive 2000 lindens.  (There is no loser here, ladies and gentlemen, this is merely for more incentive).

5.  Just to be clear here.. the winner of the contest is chosen by me, Canolli Capalini.  I am the sole judge of this shindig, and if questioned, may provide a reasonable justification of why I chose what story I did.. and I may not.  I’ve been doing flash fiction for years, and have been published, so I think I have a fair idea of what I’m looking for.  

6.  All stories that are submitted to the contest remain the author’s property, but will be for use of the library in any way it sees fit.  That means I can reprint your story, publish your story in connection with the R.F. Burton, distribute it and publish it online as part of the R.F. Burton collection.  *Note:  This does not mean that anyone can glean the stories from the library and republish them elsewhere without the library’s (i.e. my) specific permission.  It does mean that you may submit your story to multiple contests if you choose.  Should someone else solicite your participation, all well and good, but please let me know.  This is to keep individuals from using this endeavor to further their own personal gains and publications.

7.  This contest is open to ALL.  You do not have to be a Babbagite in order to participate.  However, for my own curiosity, if you are not from New Babbage (i.e. if you are from Steelhead, Caledon, etc) please note on the notecard with the title and wordcount.  This has absolutely no bearing on judgement and it is only for my personal edification to see where people actually submit from.  :)

 

Beginning December 1st, there will be a mailbox posted just inside the doors of the library.  You may drop notecards there or submit them directly to Canolli Capalini.  I will not accept any submissions prior to December 1st and none AFTER January 15th.  Normally I run this contest Mid November to the end of December, but delays have shifted the time scale.

If you have any questions, please contact myself or Serafina Puchkina, the established library of the R. F. Burton Library.

Thank you for your time,

C.Capalini

Capalini Fine Furnishings

P.S. Please note.  This is all in fun.  The library is owned by me and run by Serafina and we do this out of our love for the written word.  :)

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20 Comments

  1. Ceejay Writer Ceejay Writer November 30, 2011

    Glee!  One of my favorite events of the year. And made even more special because, as you say, you do it for love of the written word.

    I shall be …. Opting In.  *eyedart*

     

     

  2. Breezy Carver Breezy Carver December 1, 2011

    twirls in .. looks up .. ah ” This shindig” is a most Special One Indeed !!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX54zNjcpXc

    Thank YOU Miss Canolli and Dear Sera for your lovely seasonal Tradition for all :) .. 

    twirls out .. tapping foot to the song .. and a toast to …  “Let’s get it started”   ..   tosses in an “Indeed” to make it just right  .. grins :)

  3. Canolli Capalini Canolli Capalini December 2, 2011

    Peeks at the mailbox in the library.. and huffs disappointedly..  “Darn, not one yet…”

    • Emerson Lighthouse Emerson Lighthouse December 3, 2011

      *picks up a pen and starts writing*

    • Ceejay Writer Ceejay Writer December 3, 2011

      I’m workin’ on it, sheesh, woman!  Go have some tea and build an elephant or something! 

      :)

    • Junie Ginsburg Junie Ginsburg December 3, 2011

      *lights up a cigar and assumes a posture conducive to deep thought*

      Hmm…

      I wonder how long the ceiling has needed to be re-painted?

      Oh!  Wait!  Flash fiction…

  4. Canolli Capalini Canolli Capalini December 5, 2011

    *peeks in the mailbox….*

  5. Ceejay Writer Ceejay Writer December 5, 2011

    *giggles at Little Miss Impatient*  You’ll get mine soon, missy! Probably by the weekend! 

    But it’s good to keep this thread poked, so people don’t forget.  Come on!  600 words, that’s so very do-able! 

     

  6. Stargirl Macbain Stargirl Macbain December 6, 2011

    Canolli, you know the writer’s rule: We will wait until the last minute, unless we sense a deadline extension, then we will wait until after the last minute. 

  7. Phineas Frakture Phineas Frakture December 6, 2011

    Canolli can relax now…mine’s been submitted.

  8. Canolli Capalini Canolli Capalini December 8, 2011

    *sticks her hand down in the inky black well of the cannister mailbox, her fingertips brushing across some envelopes…*

    Ohhhh.. 

     

  9. Mr Tenk Mr Tenk January 13, 2012

    Prizes are now 10,000 lindens for first and 5,000 lindens for second. you still have 3 days to get your notecard to the library.

  10. Glaubrius Valeska Glaubrius Valeska January 16, 2012

    O dear, just in by the hair of my chinny-chin chin.

  11. Maddox Sinclaire Maddox Sinclaire January 16, 2012

    ((OMIGAWSH….. When I turned mine in, I hadn’t read this….. is it too late to fix it?))

  12. Ceejay Writer Ceejay Writer January 16, 2012

    It’s not clear what you need fixed, Maddox, but I hope you dropped a corrected notecard in the box by deadline! 

  13. Maddox Sinclaire Maddox Sinclaire January 16, 2012

    ((I did. I did it three times…. >.>…..<.<….. I is paranoid sometimes. XD))

     

    • Glaubrius Valeska Glaubrius Valeska January 16, 2012

      Plenty of Plans for Paranoids involved. Did I include the word count? Does my note card have the right title? Wait, how do I set the permissions? Why the hell did the text print over half of my illustration? O, wait, was it my real name? … *sigh*

  14. Maddox Sinclaire Maddox Sinclaire January 16, 2012

    ((Oh shnap…. I don’t know if I did the permissions thing… SHITE…..Ah well.))

  15. Cadmus Lupindo Cadmus Lupindo January 17, 2012

    I won’t be submitting this year.

    But Ms. Capalini you might be interested to know that your contest does inspire writing beyond the contest. I have just recently began writing a sequel to my submission from what, two years past.

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