Contests: Cheryl and 24-Hour Short Story Contests

By Gillespie and Queen

Fall 2004 24-Hour Short Story Contest

This is how it works:
1. Register at www.writersweekly.com and pay $5 fee
2. Starts October 23 at 12 p.m.
3. Contest topic and word limit is emailed to all participants
4. Writers have 24 hours to complete short story and email to website

1st Prize -- $300 cash prize
2nd Prize -- $250 cash prize
3rd Prize -- $200 cash prize
20 Honorable Mentions
Drawing Prizes

The top three prizes will have their winning stories published on the website and also receive a "Freelance Income Kit."

According to the guidelines, the story doesn't have to include the exact topic dialogue but must touch on the topic in some way to qualify. In addition, it must have a title, not exceed the word limit, and include contact information. Word count ranges from 500 to 2000 words.

The webpage lists contest rules, FAQs, and judging criteria. The criteria states repeatedly that winning stories must have good endings.

Also, check out the website (www.writersweekly.com/misc/contest.html) for helpful information on writing jobs, freelance opportunities with paying markets, and new writer resources.

This sounds like something most of the Pikers could do, and would be a great practice before November. Who's up to the challenge?

-- K.G.

Write Fiction Like Cheryl

Tuesday the 31st is the last day to send in your entries!

Assistant Editor Cheryl Haimann is the author of the long running how-to column, Backyard Astronomy. She has written numerous non-fiction articles on poetry, politics, and film. She has also participated in National Novel Writing Month several years running. But she has never submitted any fiction to the Press. Her response to the editor is always:

"I don't have any fiction."

Normally this wouldn't be an issue, except that Cheryl has also been known to drop tantalizing hints about her (entirely fictional) NaNo novels. Hints that have included back alley gun fights, cigarette smoking jaded heroines, and a tropical island of passion.

It is enough to make the staff writers foam at the mouth with curiosity.

Since Cheryl is adamant about refusing to let the editor read any of the fiction she claims she doesn't have, the editorial staff has decided to hold a contest. If we can't read Cheryl's fiction, we'll try to write fiction as if we were Cheryl. Since she is the only one who has read any of the fiction the contestants will be trying to emulate, Cheryl has kindly agreed to be the judge.

So here it is. The official "Write Fiction Like Cheryl" contest rules.

Who:
Anyone. Press staff writers, non Press staff writers, people residing outside the U.S., and maybe even Cheryl herself.
What:
A work of fiction between 250 and 5000 words in length, done in the style of author Cheryl Haimann. Since we don't know what kind of fiction Cheryl writes, we're just going to have to go out on a limb and continue with the Piker Press standard of no erotica, please. Beyond that, you know about as much as the rest of us now.
When:
Entries must be submitted to contest@filthypikers.com by August 31, 2004, 11:59 pm. Contest participants give one time electronic publication rights and permission to maintain a copy in the electronic database to the Piker Press; all other rights are retained by the author.
Where:
Winners will be announced in September on the Piker Press forums under the Piker Press category. Winning selections may appear in the Piker Press.
Why:
Because Cheryl won't let us read the real stuff.
The Prize:
Possible publication in the Press and the respect and envy of all your friends. Or at least all your friends amongst the Press staff.

Direct questions about the contest or the rules to editor@filthypikers.com. If you have questions about Cheryl's writing style, you are welcome to post them in the Filthy Piker discussion forums.

-- A.Q.