Flash Fiction Contest: Robots!

Hello fellow humans!

It's spring here in the Pacific Northwest, and that means it's time for a new flash fiction contest. Starting today, I'll be accepting submissions for our 100-word story contest, with the theme of Robots.

This is meant to be a broad category, to cover everything from cyborgs and killer computer brains to artificial intelligence and machine learning tools. There's a rich history of robots and computers in all types of genres, not just traditional science fiction, so I encourage you to be creative.

The theme was inspired by an ongoing project I'm working on, in which I'm using an AI writing tool to create entirely original stories. The first story I had this AI write was, appropriately enough, exactly 100 words:

The Boy Who Lived With Robots And Had A Photographic Memory

I lived in a house with only robots for company. They did my cooking, cleaning, and even waking me up for school. They weren't my parents. They were always there, but they were never a family to me.

One day I was wandering the halls of my house when I encountered a room I'd never seen before. In the center of this room was a large glass table with a crystal ball on it, and above was a large sign that read “Crystal Ball Room.” Never having seen this room before, I wondered if it was even real at all.

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Does this qualify as a story? I'll allow you to be the judge. But for me personally, I'm getting prepared to welcome our new robot overlords.

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Here are the rules for the contest:

1. All stories must somehow engage with the theme of robots, AI, or anthropomorphic machines. Be creative.
2. The story must be exactly 100 words, not including the title.
3. Only one submission per person. All entries are due by May 31st.

That's it. Start writing. I hope I get plenty of stories, so please spread the word.

*Note: This contest is meant for fun. While there are no actual prizes, as always, EXTREME bragging rights are involved!

Contest Submissions Are Closed

Hey everyone!

We've reached the end of the submission period for the latest contest. I'll start posting the stories tomorrow, saving the winner for last, as always. A lot of good stories once again, and I'm excited to share them with you all.

We're still accepting normal story submissions, so please continue sharing your 100-word gems. And if any contest submissions come in now that the deadline is closed, I'll post them with the other submissions, but they won't be eligible for sweet, sweet victory.

Thanks for all your contributions!

That is all.

It's Time To Get Out And Enjoy Nature

Unfortunately, for many of us, we can't. Or not the way we might be used to. So that's the topic of our next 100-word story contest: Nature.

Submissions are due by May 31st. Please follow the normal submission guidelines (here) but also include Nature Contest in the subject header so I know it is for the contest. One contest submission per person (though you are free to submit as many nature-themed stories for regular posting as you want).

Remember, I’ll still be posting non-contest-related posts on a daily basis, so keep sending in your stories, on any topic!

The rules are simple:

1. All stories must somehow engage with the theme nature. Be creative.
2. The story must be exactly 100 words, not including the title.
3. Only one submission per person. All entries are due by May 31st.

Starting in June, I'll for the most part post the stories in the order I received them, but I will keep the winning story for last.

That's it. Start writing. I hope I get plenty of stories, so spread the word.

*Note: This contest is meant for fun. While there are no actual prizes, EXTREME bragging rights are involved!