Flash 500: Going Rogue

Details

So what are you in for? Killed the sucker who welched on a deal? Robbing a bank? Littering? Don’t worry, soon enough they’ll be writing pamphlets on your dirty deeds before your sorry hide’s done swinging in the breeze.

Rogue literature harkens back to a time when executions were public events, where people gathered to watch a criminal pay (or just for the sport of it). Literature as we know it today got a boost from rogue biographies that were passed around in the 16th-18th centuries at public executions. These thin pamphlets described the criminal’s life, their crimes, and perhaps even their confessions. If you’ve ever read Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe, then you have a good idea of what rogue literature evolved into. These novels were meant to entertain but also to teach the public: these are crimes and they will be punished, so repent.

Here’s what I’m after: a rogue biography set beyond the confines of 18th century England. It can be set anywhere, anytime (that isn’t 18th century England of course). But it has to be unique. It can’t be something merely “I’m a highwayman, and I’m a bad man, and now I’m going to die.” It doesn’t have to be from the perspective of the criminal either.

Any last words?

Winning entries

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Prizes

Rules

• Entries must be received before midnight of Friday, June 29th (UTC time) and the winner will be announced within one week of that date.

• Entries must be rogue biographies set beyond the confines of 18th century England no more than 500 words.

• Sharing what you've learned makes these mini-contests better for everybody: although we don't require it, we'd appreciate it if you come weigh in on the group discussion thread here

• Only one entry per member, please. Multiple entries will all be disqualified.

• Work must have Public visibility on Scribophile until a winner is announced.

• Winners must have a valid PayPal account or we won't be able to send the prize money!

Submission guidelines

• To enter the contest, post your work on Scribophile and check the box that says "Enter this work into the F5 Going Rogue contest". The system will automatically enter your work. You can see this checkbox until the contest deadline, given in UTC time.

• We don't charge anyone to enter, but you'll need karma points to post your work. You can earn karma points by writing critiques of work by other members.