Contest

Time Out Chicago and Bleak House Books announce a short-story contest open to all writers living in the Chicago area. Bleak House—a Madison, Wisconsin–based purveyor of fine literature—is looking for stories with a Chicago and Midwest flavor, to be included in a forthcoming short-story collection, The Future Is Bleak. Finalists will be honored by Time Out Chicago with a party and reading in the city.

Here's the lowdown:
1. Entries should be mailed to: Time Out Chicago, Short Story Contest, 247 South State Street, 17th floor, Chicago, IL 60622.
2. There is no entry fee.
3. Stories must be no longer than 2,500 words. Submissions are limited to one story per person.
4. Please include your name, address, e-mail address and phone number, along with the title of your story, in a cover letter. Print only the title of the story on the manuscript and ensure that your name does not appear on the story. Writer bios are unnecessary, as this will be a blind judging.
5. Stories must be previously unpublished. Simultaneous submissions are fine, provided you alert us if your story is accepted elsewhere.
6. Stories must be postmarked by September 21.
7. Winners will be announced in late October.
8. The winning story and finalists will be considered for publication by both TOC and Bleak House Books.

Send questions to shortstory@timeoutchicago.com. Please, no e-mail submissions.