I’m delighted to be one of the judges for the 2018 Literary Taxidermy Short Story competition, sponsored by Regulus Press.
It’s a cool idea for a competition: writers produce an original short story of up to 3,000 words in any genre, using opening and closing lines from a classic work of literature.
But not just any work (because that would make it too easy, and where’s the challenge in that?). This year’s competition offers you the choice of opening/closing lines from The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett, Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll, or “A Telephone Call” by Dorothy Parker. Each of these is considered a separate contest and will be judged separately, which means you can enter a story in each one if you wish.
Intrigued? Check out the specific lines and the rest of the contest rules, and take a look at the excellent panel of judges.
I’m participating because I love the idea, and because I think the contest is set up fairly: a voluntary (not required) entry fee, cash prize of $500 for the winner in each contest, and no rights grabbing (winners and runners-up grant only first English-language publication rights to Regulus Press).
I’m excited to read the work and to help choose the winners. Which could be you! Unleash your imagination and submit your story by noon on June 4.