How to host a fiction writing contest
What's the story
Hosting a flash fiction writing contest is a fun and interactive way to connect with the literary community. This type of competition pushes writers to craft ultra-condensed stories within a tight word limit, resulting in some truly inventive and powerful pieces of micro-fiction. And, planning one needs a lot of attention to detail - you have to define the rules, promote the contest, and then of course, celebrate the winners.
Rules
Setting clear guidelines and themes
The key to a successful flash fiction contest lies in well-defined, concise rules. Set a strict word limit, ranging from 100 to 1,000 words. This helps participants understand the constraints. Pick a captivating theme or keep it open-ended to encourage wider participation. Be clear about submission formats and deadlines to prevent misunderstandings.
Promotion
Promoting your contest effectively
Use social media channels, literary blogs, and community newsletters to promote your contest. Collaborating with local bookstores or libraries can also help you reach a wider audience. Charging a small entry fee ($5-$10) can help cover costs, although offering free entries may attract more submissions. Emphasize the prizes. Even small cash awards ($50-$100) or the chance to get published can generate a lot of excitement.
Evaluation
Judging submissions fairly
Choosing judges with a literature or writing background guarantees expertise in assessing flash fiction contests. A blind review system, wherein judges are unaware of the authors' identities, eliminates favoritism. Judgment criteria should encompass creativity, theme adherence, uniqueness, and emotional resonance. This approach fosters a fair and impartial evaluation of submissions, concentrating solely on the strengths of each story.
Engagement
Engaging participants beyond the contest
In addition to announcing winners and awarding prizes, you should plan to publish the best stories in an anthology or feature them on your website. Hold a virtual or physical event where finalists can read their work aloud. This not only celebrates their accomplishment but also fosters a sense of community among writers.
Feedback
Offering constructive feedback
While it's not possible to give detailed feedback on every submission (because of the sheer number of entries), providing general feedback on what most people did well and what they could work on helps everyone. For finalists, or if they ask for it, give them more specific feedback about what you loved in their story and what they could polish a bit.