storySouth 2009 Million Writers Award Now Open For Nominations
Every year since 2004, Jason Sanford of storySouth has curated the Million Writers Award, a contest designed to promote online fiction. Here’s how it works: editors and readers nominate their favorite online stories of 1000 words or more, then a team of judges whittle these nominations into a list of Notable Stories. Sanford then selects a Top 10, and people vote for the final overall winner, who this year will receive a $100 cash prize. Here are a couple paragraphs from Sanford explaining and advocating the award:
As the old saying should go: If you can’t join them, beat them. The storySouth Million Writers Award for best online fiction of the year will help all internet-based journals and magazines gain exposure and attention … The Million Writers Award takes its name from the idea that we in the online writing community have the power to promote the great stories we are creating. If only a few hundred writers took the time to tell fifteen of their friends about a great online short story–and if these friends then passed the word about this fiction to their friends (and so on and so on)–this one story would soon have a larger readership than all of the stories in Best American Short Stories.
Last year, HTMLGIANT friend Matt Bell won the award for his story “Alex Trebeck Never Eats Fried Chicken”, published in Storyglossia. Since Storyglossia is an excellent magazine, “Alex Trebeck” is a great story, and Matt is a terrific writer, something must be going right.
To be fair, the 1000 word rule is controversial. Some editors of online magazines believe the rule marginalizes sub-1000 word stories, which many proponents of online literature believe to be the form that the internet serves best. Wigleaf Top 50 Very Short Fictions award is a different and equally excellent showcase effort that helps somewhat alleviate this issue.
The important thing: celebrating online fiction. Which the Million Writers Award has done for 5 years now, so kudos. And remember: it’s up to you. Nominate your favorite stories, or Barack Obama’s going to win this thing too.
CLICK TO NOMINATE YOUR FAVORITE STORIES NOW JAH
Tags: Matt Bell, million writers award, storysouth
how can people vote now if 2009 is not over yet?
how can people vote now if 2009 is not over yet?
The 2009 contest is for stories from 2008.
The 2009 contest is for stories from 2008.
sorry i’m retarded
sorry i’m retarded
good to see this still happening.
good to see this still happening.
people should note: the stories have to be 1,000 words or more to be considered.
it seems every year there are tons under that get nominated, and don’t even get looked at except to phase out
people should note: the stories have to be 1,000 words or more to be considered.
it seems every year there are tons under that get nominated, and don’t even get looked at except to phase out
To wit, a thousand words is the new brevity.
To wit, a thousand words is the new brevity.
That is definitly a bizarre rule and silly rule… unless they also have a sub-1,000 word category, then they are cutting off the majority of online fiction.
That is definitly a bizarre rule and silly rule… unless they also have a sub-1,000 word category, then they are cutting off the majority of online fiction.
5k says bell ko’s barack in round 7
5k says bell ko’s barack in round 7
As for the >1000-word stories, there’s Wigleaf, which was said, but also the Micro Award (www.microaward.com). The latter has a bare bones presentation, but looks like it has potential to gain clout in the coming years.
As for the >1000-word stories, there’s Wigleaf, which was said, but also the Micro Award (www.microaward.com). The latter has a bare bones presentation, but looks like it has potential to gain clout in the coming years.
Oops, I used the greater than sign. Should be <1000-word.
Oops, I used the greater than sign. Should be <1000-word.