Western students go 'All In' with short story contest

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—This fall, the University Libraries joined 14 institutions to participate in the Long Story Short contest, an inter-university, global writing contest. The writing contest encouraged students to create a story inspired by the theme “All In” for the chance to win one of three cash prizes and international publication. Seventeen Western students submitted entries into the contest. 

Upon submission, students were considered for one of three prizes: $550 each for the jury’s winner and public winner, and $400 for the jury’s coup de cœur (jury's favorite). 

“We were excited to enhance our Story Machine offerings to include more student works,” says Sara Volmering, marketing manager, University Libraries.

The annual 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.

Although our WMU entries did not win a prize, all students will have their stories published in the Story Machine housed in Waldo Library. Western's Story Machine, one of 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 work—and increase their exposure—was an enticing incentive for students to participate. 

“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,” says Volmering.

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