THE 16TH SAM'S DOT DRABBLE CONTEST OPENS

 

The Sixteenth Sam's Dot Drabble Contest is now underway.  Here's what you need to know:

 

1.  What is a "drabble"? 

A "drabble" is a very short story containing exactly 100 words...no more, no less.  Its title is limited to 15 words, no more.  And it is a story.  Like any story, it requires correct spelling, grammar, a beginning, characters, a denouement . . . it's a story.

 

2.  What if the story does not have exactly 100 words? 

The drabble must have exactly, precisely, no more and no fewer than 100 words, or it will not be considered for the contest. 

 

2a.  How do you count hyphenated words?

Ah, yes, this question cropped up in the previous contests.  Hyphenated words count as one word.  "Rock-and-Roll" is one word.  So is "son-of-a-bitch" and "mother-" . . . well, you get the idea. 

 

3.  What if the story title has 16 or more words? 

The story title of a drabble must contain no more than 15 words.  It may, of course, contain fewer than 15 words.

 

4.  What is the theme of the sixteenth contest? 

I'm glad you asked me that question.  The theme of the Sixteenth Sam's Dot Drabble Contest is:  "Alien Architecture." 

 

SPECIAL NOTE:  We're looking for tales that deal with the possible structures in which hypothetical alien sentient beings and other life forms might dwell.  You'll have to be precise in your details, because you only have 100 words for the entire story.  You might also consider stories in which the alien sentient life form has to deal with strange and unfamiliar human structures.  Again, be creative.  Be adventurous.  And do it in 100 words.

 

5.  How long is the contest open? 

The Sixteenth Sam's Dot Drabble Contest runs from 1 November 2009 to 2400 hours Central Standard Time on 31 December 2009.

 

6.  How many stories may I enter? 

As many as you can write.  However, no multiple submissions.  Please submit one story at a time. 

 

7.  What do the winners receive? 

First prize will be a copy of one of the Sam's Dot anthologies [a trade paperback].  Second prize will be a copy of one of our illustrated poetry chapbooks.  Winners will be announced in the 1 February 2010 edition of Expressions Newsletter. 

 

8.  How do I submit my drabble? 

Submit your drabble in the body of an e-mail to tlrelf at cox.net.  [You will need to convert this to a usable e-mail address].  Do NOT send attachments...hey, c'mon, it's only a hundred words, capisce?  Oh, and be sure to include your snailmail address...if you win, you want the prize, right?

 

9.  How will I know if my drabble is selected for publication?

Here's how the selection process works.  First, our illustrious drabble editor, Terrie Leigh Relf, selects the first- and second-place winners and one or two honorable mentions.  Then she selects up to 18 additional drabbles that she adjudges the best of the contest submissions.  The resultant 22 drabbles are sent to 7ARS for illustration [usually she selects 5 or 6 for illustration].  Then we publish, two months after the contest closes.

          It's at this point that the communication breakdown occurred.  Henceforth [hmm...do people actually still say "henceforth"?], all selectees will be notified by e-mail of their selection, within one month after the contest closes.  There!  Problem solved!

 

10.  Will I be paid for my published drabble?

Indeed you will.  If we publish your drabble, we will pay you 1 cent a word [which means $1.00 per drabble] plus a contributor's copy of The Drabbler in which your work appears.  You also receive a slight discount if you wish to order extra copies.

 

Okay, that's it.  If you have a question about this contest, please e-mail Terrie Relf at that same address....