Two-thirds of the winning weekly Flash Fiction stories were penned by authors who were not part of the 2013 list of winners.
After twenty-eight weekly competitions, fourteen new authors will be included in the next Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Anthology. There were a total of twenty-one authors, but only seven are repeat authors from 2013. Regardless, all twenty-one will be included in the next edition, along with any new winners during the balance of this year.
This competition is open to anyone who would like to enter the competition. Each Saturday, Indies Unlimited posts a picture by award-winning author and photographer K. S. Brooks, along with a short written prompt by five-star author Stephen Hise.
This weekly competition continues to grow year after year, and is an excellent way for independent authors to demonstrate their writing skill to a growing reader network.
Here are some numbers that indicate the popularity of this weekly competition –
Although I have not personally participated as often as in previous years, many of the weekly Flash Fiction pictures and prompts continue to get the creative juices flowing. I honestly have to admit, participating in these weekly competitions, and winning some of them, has done more for my writing than anything else.
Creating a story to go along with these prompts is fun. When I read the entries each week, it is amazing how many different scenarios can get penned by a single prompt. Adding the requirement to have the story meet the 250-word maximum, has created a skill set necessary to convey the story succinctly. I have found this improves my novel writing with most of my chapters now between 1000 and 2000 words.
I encourage more authors to participate in this competition. It is important for new authors to get their names in front of readers. Hopefully, they will like your story enough to check out your other writing, should you have any published material. If you do win a weekly competition, you will be published along with the other weekly winners in the next Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Anthology. This is without any cost to any of the authors!
Judging from the number of new winners so far this year, many new authors have found this to be a worthwhile writing opportunity. I encourage you to give it a shot, and you might be pleasantly surprised by how much fun it is, along with a great way to hone some writing skills.
It’s a great exercise. Beyond the prompt the the writer has complete creative control which leads to some wonderful variations. I love reading them and have also won a few. It’s also a way for readers to discover new authors they may wish to check out. No downside to this at all – only positives.
I am also amazed at how creative the prompts are. There has to be a significant effort. Thank you Stephen and Kat!
One of the best exercises that I’ve stumbled across, and I’m glad that I did; even if rather late in the, “what the Hell am I going to do when this book is out” game-plan 🙂 Flash Fiction really got me reaching out and preparing my social network ahead of time, and forced me to step up my media presence. Including: FB, the launch of my website, Twitter, etc.. I had a “rough” estimate on setting up these services, but we all know how timely people can be with certain deadlines. Generally speaking, I’m not a procrastinator, but I certainly was in this instance.
Not to mention, some of the pictures and captions do exactly what they are supposed to do: inspire me (and others) to write. Stories that I would never consider crafting otherwise.
Great site, fantastic contest, wonderful people, support and advice!
Christian, You might want to share how you stumbled across this competition?
I believe it was from a random web-search regarding “indie publishing”. I had never heard of Indies Unlimited before. I was scrolling through the posts, when I saw the Flash Fiction challenge.
Thanks Christian…that will help. I would like to see more writers aware and participating.
Flash fiction is an excellent writing tool and great fun! I love the fact that the numbers are increasing like they are. Thanks for reporting on this, Dick. And a hearty welcome to all new writers that are taking part!
My pleasure Melissa. I think the increase in competition numbers is directly related to the increased popularity of the IU site.
Thanks for the analysis, Dick. I don’t participate in the flash fiction contests as often as I should, but they’re great fun. And even if you don’t win, they do get you writing — which is the point.
You’re welcome. I enjoy doing analyses, especially when I find an interesting trend.
I’m glad the numbers are increasing, and wonder what this competition will be like down the road. I hope it continues to draw other writers to display their creativity.
Posting an entry does feel good, whether it wins or not. If the competition helps one author to be a published author, it gets a gold star in my book!
I never thought I would enjoy writing flash fiction, but I’m a bit obsessed. 😉
Thanks for doing the math. IU rocks!
It is rather contagious once you get the bug.
Yes! The prompts are fantastic. They actually spur the imagination. Well done guys.
What a team. We can always use more spectators, fans and players.
Hear, hear!