Are You the Next Hemingway? Short Story Writing Contest

Marilyn Mai | Apr 26, 2011 6:00 pm | 13 comments | 2764 reads

Everybody has to start somewhere. Ernest Hemingway had the Toronto Star, Virginia Woolf had the Times Literary Supplement, and even on the China scene, Peter Hessler had the New Yorker … now you can get your big break through the My Beijing Stories.com Short Story Writing Contest.

Ok, so maybe that borders on delusions of grandeur. But you know, before you’re submitting to the big boys, you have to at least write something, and then get people to read it. This would be a good start. The bonus? You can win RMB 1,000 (or RMB 500) for your troubles.

The details:

-Submit a non-fiction China story (that either happened to you or someone you know).

-Must be 3,000 words or less.

-Your story will be posted on the My Beijing Stories website, where members will vote for their favorites.

-Story submission runs Apr 28-May 18, and voting runs May 19-29.

Just think, that time you were robbed at knifepoint and pushed into a squatty might not be for naught. Disappearing ayi? Nightmare trip to the security bureau? All good short story fodder!

Ok, maybe good things happen to you here, too, like being swept up to star in a commercial or TV show. Whatever the case, write up your story and send it in, where others will vote for the best stories. Winner with the most votes will receive a RMB 1,000 cash prize, and the runner up will get RMB 500.

For all the competition fine print (eligibility, rights, yada yada yada), check out the My Beijing Stories.com website. Please excuse their “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” aesthetic, which I’m sure is meant to call would-be contestants to action while maintaining an air of early '90s street cred. Word.

Those of you feeling more ambitious can look into the M Literary Residency sponsored by Capital M. Every year the restaurant group sets up two writers for three months, one in Shanghai and the other outside of Bangalore. Check here for more information.

Photo from www.planetofsuccess.com.

Comments

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Re: Are You the Next Hemingway? Short Story Writing Contest
Posted May 20, 2011 2:10am by FYI_yall

@Marilyn Mai

The GT's Flash Fried Fiction (FFF) short story contest will be publishing the last of its 12 accepted stories this Friday, May 20.

The contest’s top three winners will be announced at a reading ceremony at Punk@Opposite House on June 28 at 6 to 9 pm (20RMB entry, proceeds go to the Dandelion School for migrant children, sorry for the shameless plug!). All top three winners will receive books courtesy of the Bookworm, while the top winner will also receive a 5,000RMB cash prize. All twelve published writers will receive a copy of the Bookworm’s Mala literary journal.

This year’s FFF judges include UK-based literary agent Toby Eady, Hong Kong-based literary translator Harvey Thomlinson and Chinese architect, creative guru and editor of the literary journal Chutzpah Ou Ning. One of the contest’s participating writers drew interest from Mr. Eady, and will potentially be signing with him.

Also the GT article you linked to was written well before the contest’s deadline, and was generally inaccurate in appraising how much interest it garnered from writers. One of the 12 published stories was written by an author previously long-listed for the Man Asian Literary Prize. Here’s more recent news of what’s been going on with the contest: http://en.huanqiu.com/beijing/culture/2011-03/640020.html

Contact flashfriedfiction@gmail.com for more info on next year’s contest.

Re: Are You the Next Hemingway? Short Story Writing Contest
Posted May 15, 2011 7:13pm by My Beijing Stories

Only 3 days left until the story contest submission deadline!

Enter your story by the end of May 18 for a chance to win up to 1000 RMB and have your story immortalized on the MBJS.com Wall of Fame!

Click here for details.

If you like My Beijing Stories.com, support us with a link in your signature!

www.mybeijingstories.com

Re: Are You the Next Hemingway? Short Story Writing Contest
Posted May 10, 2011 6:22am by BeijingBloke
My Beijing Stories<br /> wrote:
Your story can be funny, gross, informative, scary, touching, frustrating or fun

Well yeah but ultimately it will have to be something that the readership of your website can not only relate to, but also like.... so

‎'Na only poor man de sabi say him brother never chop since
morning. The big oga wey put poor man for sun no de remember. Because why? Him
own belle done full up with cornflake and milik and omlate.'

Re: Are You the Next Hemingway? Short Story Writing Contest
Posted May 8, 2011 1:31pm by My Beijing Stories

There's only 10 days left to enter the My Beijing Stories.com Story Writing Contest!

Submit your entry by May 18!

If you like My Beijing Stories.com, support us with a link in your signature!

www.mybeijingstories.com

Re: Are You the Next Hemingway? Short Story Writing Contest
Posted May 4, 2011 5:16pm by My Beijing Stories

We are already getting entries for the contest!

Your story can be funny, gross, informative, scary, touching, frustrating or fun – anything as long as it’s an entertaining and true story that happened to you or someone you know in China.

Take a look at the stories already on www.mybeijingstories.com if you need any inspiration!

If you like My Beijing Stories.com, support us with a link in your signature!

www.mybeijingstories.com

Re: Are You the Next Hemingway? Short Story Writing Contest
Posted May 3, 2011 10:28pm by sereneselchie

So far I haven't the faintest idea on what to write.

Too bad.

NOt talking about my English writing skills. Wink

Re: Are You the Next Hemingway? Short Story Writing Contest
Posted May 3, 2011 10:10pm by Peking Man

Good to know. This one has a 3000 word limit and a decent deadline, the 18th of May I think, so that's easier for contestants. I've got a few ideas for what to write myself, hope my entry gets the win!

Re: Are You the Next Hemingway? Short Story Writing Contest
Posted May 3, 2011 4:28pm by marilynmai

It ended in December 2010. And according to this article, there weren't a ton of takers.

Too bad.

Re: Are You the Next Hemingway? Short Story Writing Contest
Posted Apr 28, 2011 3:31pm by Les Entrees

didn't the global times have a short fiction competition with a 5000 yuan prize a while back? what happened to that?

Re: Are You the Next Hemingway? Short Story Writing Contest
Posted Apr 28, 2011 12:11am by Kmax

Finally. A competition with a real prize. I'm in.

Re: Are You the Next Hemingway? Short Story Writing Contest
Posted Apr 27, 2011 10:58am by Beckah Lee

This is so cool! 1000 RMB in CASH? I'm definitely going to enter. Biggrin

Hmmm...now what am I gonna write about...:P

I like www.mybeijingstories.com!
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Re: Are You the Next Hemingway? Short Story Writing Contest
Posted Apr 27, 2011 12:58am by My Beijing Stories

Hi Catherine,

Thanks for your interest in the competition! Absolutely, second language English writers are welcome to join. Entries are judged by votes from the readers themselves, so your story being a great, entertaining read is what really matters.

You can find additional contest details here.

Good luck!

If you like My Beijing Stories.com, support us with a link in your signature!

www.mybeijingstories.com

Re: Are You the Next Hemingway? Short Story Writing Contest
Posted Apr 26, 2011 8:20pm by sereneselchie

Dear Madam,

I am a native Chinese speaker, I use English as a second language, but I am very fond of writing especially expressing my ideas and making myself known for it. I am wondering if I am qualified for this competition and if I am, am I going to compete with those native English speakers by the same standard or am I going to get some sort of discount since I am apparently at a disadvantage as far as the English language is concerned.

Thank you very much, I look forward to your reply.

Sincerely yours
Catherine