Member-Sponsored Liminal Spaces Short Story Contest

Details

Liminality. Derived from the Latin limen, meaning threshold, liminal spaces refer to the place or state of mind a person is in during a transitional period or event. It’s a gap, and can be physical (like a doorway), emotional (like a divorce) or metaphorical (like a decision). Liminal space is the gateway between realities, the inhaled breath between the past and the future, the precipice on which the world turns, and a life can change forever.

The liminal space that forms the core of your story can be physical, emotional, metaphorical, or any other way you wish to interpret the theme. Maybe your protagonist is going through a divorce, metamorphosing, or approaching death. Perhaps they find a mysterious portal, or your story takes place in a departure lounge, abandoned hallway, or literally on a precipice. Or perhaps your story hinges on one big decision that completely changes the course of one or many lives. These, along with countless others, are examples of liminal spaces. The key theme is transition, and your story should reflect this.

We’re looking for short stories on the theme of liminal spaces, between 1,000 and 3,000 words in length, excluding the title. The story you submit should be just that – prose that resembles a story, not a disconnected scene or snapshot.

All genres and literary fiction welcome. Adult labels are also fine.

Prize money for this contest is provided by the Scribophile Writing Contest Prize Fund.

Winning entries

Winners have been announced! Log in to see them.

Prizes

Rules

• Entries must be between 1,000 and 3,000 words per Scribophile’s count.

• Entries must be short stories/prose, not poetry or chapters of novels.

• Work submitted must not have placed in a site-wide contest previously. Work submitted that did not place previously may be submitted to this contest if it fits the theme.

• No previously published stories.

• One entry per member.

• Entries must have Public visibility on Scribophile until winners are announced.

• You can post work, respond to critiques, and edit your entries right up to the deadline.

Submission guidelines

• Entry is free, but you’ll need karma points to post your work to the contest. You can earn karma points by writing critiques of posted writing.

• To post your work for the contest, check the box that says, “Enter this work into the Member-Sponsored Liminal Spaces Short Story Contest” and your work will be automatically considered. The check box will remain visible for posted work up until the contest deadline, which is in UTC time.