May is National Short Story Month and to celebrate, the library is looking for writers to contribute short stories. The catch? Tell us a story in exactly 65 words. From your submissions, a panel of staff members will select one story to post on a special Tumblr each day during the month of May.
Why 65 words? Last year, we held a very popular How-To festival called “65 Things at 65 Witherspoon” and this will build on the success of that event. Besides, we can’t think of a more perfect town to celebrate the power of its stories. Submit yours now. Entries will be accepted through April 30.
Want a better idea of what a 65 word story looks like? We wouldn’t ask you to do something that we wouldn’t try on our own. Here’s a sample:
I Know
Get up. We have to leave soon.
I know, she says.
I search for my armor. Makeup. Shoes. Pulverize the spinach, blueberries, bananas, flax. Getting myself together, she’s still in bed.
GET UP. WE HAVE TO LEAVE SOON!
I KNOW!
Full stop. Breathe. I will remember the knowing that we will get through this adolescent hailstorm; it will not last.
I love you.
I know.
Photo courtesy of the author.