The Friends of the Merrill Collection are holding a Spec-Fic short story contest: " All entries submitted to the Friends of the Merril Short Story Contest must have a speculative fiction element (see the FAQ page for our definition). As we are no longer posting the winning stories on the website, there are no restrictions on content or subject matter. All entries must be previously unpublished." Length: up to 6K; Prizes: "First Place: $500.00 (CDN); Honourable Mentions (2): $50.00 (CDN) each." There is an entry fee for this one: "All stories submitted to the Friends of the Merril Short Story Contest must be accompanied by a $5.00 (CDN) entry fee. This fee is used to fund the winners’ purse and all funds raised in excess of that amount are used by the Friends of the Merril Collection to support the Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation, and Fantasy at the Toronto Public Library." No reprints, electronic submission only, see contest page for more details. Submissions period opens November 14th, 2014 (do not submit before); Deadline February 15th, 2015.
I generally avoid posting contests or sub ops with entry fees, but reading this in their guidelines persuaded me to make an exception: "We know that for many writers the idea of entry fee based contests is a touchy subject, both because of the fraudulent practices that choke the field like the risen dead clawing their way free from rotting loam, and because of the idea of the fees themselves. We, the Friends of the Merril Collection, would like to make very clear the fact that we are not charging “reading fees”. We are running a contest to raise funds to aid the Merril Collection, and to raise awareness of the Collection. We hope you will visit the Merril Collection of Science Fiction, Speculation, and Fantasy website, or better still, join us at The Lillian H. Smith Branch of the Toronto Public Library for readings, exhibits, discussions and other special events! Your entry fees and donations will help the Friends continue to offer great programming throughout the year."
An excellent way to use the funds, I think, so bravo, Friends of the Merrill.
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The Toronto Public Library is fantastic, and I live near the branch housing the Merrill Collection. It's really a treasure trove of sci fi and fantasy, and the fee, I would be assured, is going to a fair cause not a fly by night.
ReplyDeleteThey had a fantastic Dr Who exhibit from their collection, recently. Its a fantastic collection and if you're visiting Toronto, worth a visit. The entire system hosts so many events, and shows and programs, for all its branches and communities.