The Television Show Contest

Details

This month's contest is sponsored in part by Scribophile member Keshiins Deer.

Scribophile is proud to present flash fiction master Len Kuntz as the judge for our newest contest. Len is a writer from Washington State and, in the last two years, over 500 of his fiction and poetry pieces have been published in print and online.  Several of his works have been named "Best of the Web" and anthologized, and he's currently an editor at the literary magazine Metazen.

Everyone has a favorite TV show. Whether it’s a sitcom like Friends or How I Met Your Mother, a science fiction adventure like The X-Files, or a crime drama like Criminal Minds or Law and Order (or perhaps even L.A. Law or Hill Street Blues for those of us of a certain age), television shows have left their mark—shaping both our culture and us as individuals. Our favorite programs not only entertain, but for us writers often inadvertently instruct us in writing techniques like plot, pacing, point-of-view, dialogue, symbolism, and character development—sometimes without us even knowing it!

For this month’s contest, write a piece of flash fiction (1,000 words or less) inspired by a television show. Note: While we have nothing against fan fiction, this isn't a fan fiction contest. Stories that include characters from a television show won't be eligible. Instead, choose themes, character types, and plot devices you've learned from your television to inspire your writing. Use your favorite TV show as a springboard for your muse. If you’re inspired by I Dream of Jeannie, a story about a genie is appropriate. A story about a hot genie and an astronaut—not so much. Don't be limited by decade, genre, country, or popularity. Use television to spark your creativity—don't just copy it!

Ladies and gentlemen, start you remotes!

Winning entries

Winners have been announced! Log in to see them.

Prizes

Rules

• Your entry must be a piece of flash fiction of 1,000 words or less inspired by themes or storytelling devices a television show, but not fan fiction. Mention the television show you were inspired by in the “About this Work” section of your piece, but no further justification is necessary.

• Entries must be received before midnight of October 31, 2011 (UTC time), and winners will be announced within two weeks of that date.

• Entries will be judged by writer Len Kuntz. Decisions are final.

• Only one entry is allowed per member. Multiple entries will all be disqualified.

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

• Winners must have a valid Paypal account, or we won't be able to send the prize money!

Submission guidelines

• To enter the contest, post your work on Scribophile and check the box that says "Enter this work into the contest". Your work will automatically be considered. The checkbox will be visible until the contest deadline, which is in UTC time.

• Entry is free, but you'll need karma points to post your work. You can earn karma points by writing critiques of work by other members.