5th Annual Flash Fiction Contest at the R.F. Burton Library

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It’s that very special time of the year, when the leaves begin to fall.. the weather turns chilly.. the streets become even sootier with the extra fireplaces in use.. and my mind’s eye turns to literary distractions.  I am pleased to announced (in conjunction with the R.F. Burton Library) the 5th Annual Flash Fiction Contest.

Beginning November 1st through December 15th, the R.F. Burton Library will be accepting submissions of the Flash Fiction genre.  There will be a mailbox located on the first floor of the R.F. Burton Library where notecards can be submitted.. or they may be given to me (Canolli Capalini) directly.  Please bear in mind that 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 might seem impossible, but do stop by the library to pick up any (or all) of the four volumes of “Dialogues”, the anthologies of the previous contests that are available there. 

This year’s theme is Reinvention/New Beginnings.  You may use this phrase metaphorically, alleghorically, literally, mentally, physically, or in a completely abstract sense.  In other words, however you see fit to express what that phrase means to you.  The only restriction is that it MUST be a steampunk setting.  And it may be any steampunk setting you choose.  Perhaps you favor the gritty streets of New Babbage, the gleaming bronze of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, or the shining whimsical mechanics of Howl’s Moving Castle.  Whatever brand of steampunk best suits your fancy. 

Now, here are some rules:

1. All entries must be submitted with RFB5 and the author’s name in the title of the notecard.  All notecards submitted and/or any illustrations included with the notecard MUST be full permissions.  Any notecards without RFB5 and the author’s name, or not full perms, will be summarily destroyed.  (example:  RFB5 – Canolli Capalini).
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 full permissions (that’s right, you can illustrate your magnificent Opus).
4. The Winner of the contest will receive L5000 and be the first story featured in the anthology.  Runner Up/s will receive L2000.  (There are no losers here, ladies and gentlemen, this is merely for incentive.. especially in today’s economy).
5. Just to be clear here.. the winner of this contest is chosen by the sole judge, me (Canolli Capalini).  If questioned, I may provide a reasonable justification for why I chose what I did, or I may not. 
6. All stories that are submitted to the contest remain the author’s property, but may be used in anyway the library 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 an R.F.Burton collection.
7. This contest is open to ALL.  You do not have to be from New Babbage to participate.. and people from ALL communities are actively encouraged to submit.  The only thing I ask, if you are NOT from New Babbage, please note it with the title of the piece and the author’s name on the notecard.  This is no bearing on the contest and makes no difference to how I judge it.  I’m just curious as to who’s thinking about steampunk out in the world.

Beginning November 1st, there will be a mailbox in the first floor lobby of the R.F.Burton Library in Babbage Canals, New Babbage.  You may submit notecards there, or give them directly to Canolli Capalini.  I will not accept any submissions before November 1st nor after December 15th.  Last year I was a bit delayed, so the contest ran a bit longer.

If you have any questions, please contact myself or Serafina Puchkina, the established owner/librarian 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.  Serafina and myself do this out of love for the written word.  Have fun with it. :)