Is your short story title good enough to win a Puddle?
THE MEAGER PUDDLE OF LIMELIGHT AWARDS
2010
BEST SHORT STORY TITLE & BEST FLASH FICTION TITLE
Forget those Winter blues!
The 2010 Puddle Awards for the ‘Best Short Story Title’ and 'Best Flash Fiction Title' are now open.
I love reading about people's current WIPs, empathizing with their frustrations and sharing their joy when things go well. There's an ocean of talent here on the worldwide web. Much of it doesn't get the recognition it deserves.
Here's your chance to bathe in the spotlight - or at least get your socks damp in the meager puddle of limelight - I can provide here on my blog.
This month there are two Puddles up for grabs: Best Short Story Title and Best Flash Fiction Title (1,000 words and under).
Here’s how it works:
If you want to enter, all you have to do is post a comment (or if you prefer, send me a private message) with your best short story and/or flash fiction titles. Please note: no more than two entries in each category per person. Don’t forget to tell me the relevant genre for each title and whether it’s for a short story or flash fiction piece (1,000 words or less).
I’ll collate them all and put them up for LJ users to vote on by secret ballot at the end of this month.
Remember, it’s the title, not the story itself which folks will vote on.
What do I get if I win?
Should your title be voted the winner, I’ll post an interview with you and/or a guest blog post here on An Englishman in New Jersey and on the FindAWritingGroup.com blog , where you can pimp your work/website/blog and generally bask in the glory of your victory.
Can I enter the same story titles as last year?
With the exception of previous winning titles, yes.
What happened to the Puddle for Best Novel Title?
That Puddle will be up for grabs in the Summer.
Do you plan to enter your own stuff, Jon?
No. As I’m sure you’d agree, with titles like the one for my novel, Dracula vs the Daleks; my flash fiction, An Interesting Story About Some Interesting Things Which Happened to Some Interesting People in Some Interesting Places; and the semi-autobiographical Life With My Old Gran - No Picnic and That’s A Fact, I’d be a shoe-in for the awards, but to avoid any question of foul play I’ve excluded myself from the ballot.
I don’t have a Live Journal account. Can I still enter?
Sure, but you’ll need an LJ account to vote for anything. And if you don't, you'll have to enter via an anonymous comment, so don't forget to leave your name and website/email address as well as your entries.
How will the voting work?
Voting will take place in the form of a secret Live Journal poll. I’ll explain things in more detail when I post the entries.
Does it have to be a completed story?
It can be a WIP, but you’ve got to have at least made a start on it.
Do I have to have written it?
Absolutely, please don’t submit a title unless it’s from your own work.
What’s the closing date for entries?
To be considered for one of the 2010 Meager Puddle of Limelight Awards for ‘Best Title’ please submit your entries by ...
ETA: Due to popular demand... well one person's request, I've reopened for entries. In the interest of fairness, I've reopened the entry doors for everybody. They'll now close on Friday, March 19th at 6:00pm (US Eastern).
ETA: Now closed for entries - voting starts next month
Sure, the Puddles may not be as prestigious as a Hugo or the like, but any award voted for by your peers is one worth having. Besides, just like those shiny diamonds people like to sing about, bragging rights are forever.
Good luck to all who take part, or as previous contestants might say:
Vene, vidi, puddli
Jon