University Libraries encourages students to go 'All In' with short story contest
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University Libraries is proud to announce the Long Story Short contest, an inter-university, global writing contest, is open to all Western students. The writing contest encourages students to create a story inspired by the theme “All In,” for the chance to win one of three cash prizes and international publication.
Submissions are limited to 7,500 characters maximum (including spaces) and are due by Sunday, Nov. 2. Public voting will be open from Nov. 3 through Nov. 23, and the contest winners will be announced on Wednesday, Dec. 3.
The contest is organized by Short Edition, the company that developed short story dispensers—including the Story Machine in Waldo Library—for distribution at libraries, universities and other institutions around the world.
Upon submission, students will be considered for one of the three prizes: $550 to the jury’s winner, $550 to the public vote winner and $400 to the jury’s coup de cœur (jury's favorite).
Regardless of prize money, all students will have their stories published through the Story Machine housed in the Waldo Library. Western's Story Machine, one of the 500 story dispensers in the world, prints a free story with the simple push of a button. It also offers Western students the unique opportunity to publish their work for others to enjoy.
In addition to competing for prizes, the opportunity to publish their works—and increase their exposure—may give students an incentive to participate.
“We are excited to enhance our Story Machine offerings to include more student works,” says Sara Volmering, marketing manager, University Libraries.
“Our Bronco Stories collection is growing with submissions from the entire WMU community. The contest submissions will be added to this collection for anyone to print on demand when visiting Waldo Library.”
Visit the Short Edition contest website for more information.
For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.