Member-Sponsored Carlos' Crime Fiction Contest 1

Details

Carlos Dunning is seeking the best in short crime fiction. What does "the best" mean? First, it means a piece that is original. If you've got a stereotyped or hackneyed notion or characters, you need to re-think where you're coming from or maybe handle your material in a way that makes it fresh and unconventional.

Second, it means writing and storytelling that has impact for the reader. Sure, a dum-dum bullet to the gut has impact, but so does a charming and witty heroin addict wearing a priest's collar.

Carlos believes that the best crime writing (not to mention genre writing of any sort) is entertaining and interesting, even intriguing and compelling. But stories that are comical, droll, or even hysterically riotous will also be looked on favorably.

The story (or scene or vignette or more-or-less self-contained chapter) must fall into the general genre of crime fiction. This means that something illegal, illicit or ethically over the line must have taken place in the past, must be taking place in the present, or will take place at some point in the future or be threatened—all as expressed in the context of the piece. Adult material is okay.

Carlos may comment on entries as they come in. For example, the story length is limited to 3,000 words. If you enter a story that is 5,000 words long, Carlos may bring this to your attention with a comment on your entry, and he may be just a little sarcastic about it.

Winning entries

Winners have been announced! Log in to see them.

Prizes

Rules

• Entries must be received before midnight of Friday, February 28th (UTC time) and the winners will be announced on March 7th, 2014.

• Entries must be no more than 3000 words per Scribophile's count.

• Multiple entries are allowed.

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

Submission guidelines

• To enter the contest, post your work on Scribophile and check the box that says "Enter this work into the Member-Sponsored Carlos' Crime Fiction Contest 1." Your work will automatically be considered. The checkbox will be visible until the contest deadline, which is in UTC time.

• Entry is free, but you'll need karma points to post your work. You can earn karma points by writing critiques of work by other members.

• If you have placed in a contest in the past with a particular piece, you may not resubmit that piece in other contests.