Sweek Flash Fiction Competition: #MicroLetter

Sweekers, if you participated in the previous rounds of Sweek microfiction contest, please keep in mind that this time the rules have changed. As we stated in the general guidelines: one month we give you a specific word to include in your story (last time it was: #microheart) and then in the following one – we give you the topic.

In this round you have to write your flash fiction about a letter.

A letter might bring you an exciting or heart-breaking news. It can also strengthen readers’ bond with the characters of your story (you probably remember the letters in the “The Sorrows of Young Werther” about his failed romance) or add some flavour to the plot itself.

Your story, your approach! Show us that you can say a lot in a little by writing your #Microletter story with 250 words of prose!

How to participate:

Step 1: Download the Sweek app or use our website:

Website: https://sweek.com/

Android app: http://bit.ly/SweekforAndroid

iOS app: http://bit.ly/SweekforiOS

Step 2: Create an account or log in.

Step 3: Upload your story by going to ‘My stories’ and ‘Start a new story’.

Step 4: Publish your story with the tag #microletter either in the title, description or tags section (which is a part of Story Details) and description.

That’s it! Don’t forget to share with your friends and family to get more readers!

Duration:

Submissions open: 1st of March –  22nd of March (23:59 CET)

Winners announcement: 30th of March

Prizes:

The Best Story: $50 cash prize + getting published in the Sweek book + a free copy of the bundle!

The Best Feedback: $15 cash prize.

The Most Popular Story: will be awarded a special badge.

All shortlisted authors will get published in the bundle and will be featured on Sweek.

How does it work?

1. Every round gives you a new word that you must include in your story (open topic) or a specific theme to write about (here: letter).
2. Only prose is accepted.
3. You can join the contest at any time (even if you didn’t take part in the previous rounds). Also, the winners and shortlisted authors of the earlier editions are welcomed to participate in the following editions.
4. At the same time the contest is running in the following languages: English, Dutch, German, Turkish, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian and Polish.
5. You have 3 weeks to write, then the jury members along with the Sweek editorial team will be judging the entries.
6. The winners will also be announced via our Social Media (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter), blog and e-mail on 30/03/2018.
7. The jury prize will be based on the writing style, originality and plot development of the story. The most popular story will be determined by the total number of likes.
8. Every round you must tag your story with a hashtag that includes the word #micro + the word of that round (here: #microletter). 
9. The author of the best story will receive $50 and will be published in the Sweek Microfiction book with all the shortlisted stories via Sweek self-publishing.
10. There will be one winner in The Best Story category, one person will get The Best Feedback title and one story will be awarded as The Most Popular Story (read more about the prizes below).
11. To win in The Best Feedback category you must tag your comments with #microletterfeedback.
12. The shortlist will include 10-20 titles (all will be published in the bundle). If there are enough high-quality stories selected by the jury, the longlist will also be announced. However, the titles on the longlist will not get to the bundle.
13. The new round will be announced on 01/04.

GENERAL COMPETITION GUIDELINES

1. You need to be 13 years or older to participate. Younger participants need their parents’ permission.
2. The contest is international and is open to every country. Nonetheless, your story must be written in English.
3. The story cannot exceed 250 words.
4. The story doesn’t have to be exclusive (for instance, it can be from your blog) but needs to be newly uploaded on Sweek.
5. The story must have the #microletter (in the main title of the story / its description or within the tags section).
6. The story must be created by you. You can also write with a friend if you want to, but in case you win, the prize will be shared. Plagiarism is strictly prohibited and actions may be taken against those involved in plagiarism.
7. The story must be submitted and finished before the deadline. Don’t edit your story afterwards – it will lead to your disqualification from the contest.
8. You can participate with multiple entries.
9. You can join any round of the contest at any time.
10. The story can be in any genre, as long as it’s prose, not poetry. It can be a combination of e.g. young adult, romance, fantasy, science fiction and crime.
11. Most popular story is determined by the number of likes. Falsification of likes and followers will lead to disqualification. The most popular story needs to meet quality requirements determined by the Sweek team. You can only win one popularity prize as a writer.
12. Spam comments/messages with promotion of your story (except for a special story dedicated to promotion) will result in disqualification and possible account deletion if the behavior continues.
13. If winners do not respond within a timeframe of two weeks, then the price will be given to the second place.
14. By entering in this competition, you give Sweek the right to publish your story in a book. In case the author does not agree, he/she must state in the short description that Sweek cannot publish the story in print.
15. The cash prize will be transferred via PayPal  (Sweek bears the transfer costs). If the winner is based in Europe, the cash prize will be arranged via a bank transfer. In case there is no option to create a Paypal account, we can arrange the prize via a gift card or a bank transfer for which the costs are split. We’re not responsible for currency conversion rate at the time of transferring the cash prize.
16. Participation in this contest means that the user is aware of and accepts the rules of this contest. 

#MICROLETTERFEEDBACK

How to join?

Step 1. Search for #microletter on Sweek and read a story.
Step 2. Provide feedback/critique in a comment on the story.
Step 3. Add #microletterfeedback at the end of your comment so that we can find it.
Step 4. You can participate as many times as you like until 22nd of March 2018. You can take part even if you didn’t write a story on the topic!

WINNERS ANNOUNCEMENT

WINNERS 

The Best Story –  Olinda Braganza – “Your Wish is My Command!”

The Best Feedback – Rinandharu

The Most Popular Story – Veronika Faith – “I invite.”

FULL SHORTLIST

“Mud” by Mark Groenen [English]

“His Gems” by RashmiAgrawal

“Her Promise” by ariellelynn

“Through the window” by Arya Ashok Dixit

“Your Wish is My Command!” by Olinda Braganza

“A Boy Named Love” by Christina Li

“The Letter #MicroLetter” by MelissaNeubert

“Letters” by Swatilekha Roy

“Number 57 #microletter” by Kathryn Evans

“Let’s Play” by Sean

 

THE JURY

Julian Tunru
Julian Tunru is the author of the Dav Iven historical fiction series, creator of The Nearly Complete Guide to Writing Your Novel, and self-confessed semicolon enthusiast.