Micki Findlay
Vancouver IslandArtist
Author / Freelance Writer, Columnist, Poet / Photographer / Multimedia Designer
OUR 50-WORD MEMOIR CONTEST IS COMING
SOON
We will be announcing a contest for 50-Word Memoir Stories soon. Submissions will open in the spring of 2023. To receive notification and updates about the contest, please fill out the form at the bottom of this page. Meanwhile, start writing! As soon as we’re ready to launch, you will see all the contest information and submission requirements listed here. You can also sign up below to be notified when the contest is about to open.
What is a 50-Word Memoir?
A 50-Word Memoir is a bite-sized, true-life story written in no more and no less than 50 words.
It can be written in either story or poetic form. Your choice. But it can’t be just a jumble of words. It must have some structure, a theme and a purpose.
WANT TO SEE A FEW EXAMPLES OF 50-WORD MEMOIR STORIES? CLICK HERE.
Why 50 Words?
So glad you asked!
- It is an excellent way for us wordsmiths to narrow our focus and sharpen our writing.
In other words, it forces writers to get to the heart of the matter without a lot of extraneous
words. (As you can see, it's good for me because I tend to ramble on!)
- It provides an excellent resource for writing prompts that can lead to longer stories.
- It can help writers develop daily writing habits, in spite of having busy lives.
- It’s a fun challenge (and sometimes more challenging than you might think!).
- When we feel 'stuck' or uninspired, it can provide the perfect quick start we need.
- It’s addictive.
- It’s free therapy.
WHY I STARTED WRITING 50-WORD MEMOIRS
I (Micki Findlay – Freelance Writer, Author, Poet and Cheesecake Connaisseur), stumbled upon a 50-word fiction site one day and thought it was an excellent idea.
Why? Because I have the attention span of a flea, but bite-sized pieces I can handle. (Pun intended.) So, as a non-fiction author (who is also a tad crazy), I decided to write a 50-Word Memoir Story every day for an entire year and post them online to help me stay accountable.
As of this moment, I have written over 284 stories since June 9, 2022.
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(You can find Micki's 50-Word Memoir Stories at these links: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Want to know more about Micki's other writing? Click HERE.)
WHY A CONTEST?
Some writers have caught on to the 50-Word Memoir Challenge, but are unsure of where they can post their offerings for a wider audience to read, especially if they are not particularly social-media-savvy. My hope is that this contest will not only inspire people to start writing, but it will also provide the longlisted and shortlisted writers with a place to show off their best work. (I will do the posting so easy-peasy.)
Additionally, it adds significant credibility to your writer's bio to include the words, 'Award-Winning'!
WILL THERE BE A FEE?
Yes, but a very small one. As there will be a prize for the winner, my paltry fee of $1 USD per 50-word story/poem will help pay for the $50 USD prize money and help pay for my time in responding to emails, posting, marketing, and designing posts to share shortlisted stories, and the winning story, on social media.
It should also encourage writers to submit their best work.
(I hope to increase the prize money in future contests. We'll see how this one goes)
WHY USD FUNDS?
US Currency is recognized worldwide, so I guess you could say it's more inclusive.
GET ON THE LIST TO BE NOTIFIED
Sign up to receive the first word when our contest is about to go live.