Do you have the literary skills to bust out a creative short story, complete with a fully developed narrative arc (including a climax), in 1,000 words or less? If so, we want you to enter our second annual fiction contest.

Our theme this year is pretty straightforward. We're simply looking for coming-of-age stories based in Charlotte.

THE GUIDELINES

What kind of fiction are you looking for?
We're looking for previously unpublished work that illustrates a coming-of-age story set in Charlotte. Feel free to define that as strictly or loosely as you like, though ultimately we'll be deciding if you pulled it off well enough to publish. Stories must be the original work of the entrant, unpublished and not currently under consideration for publication. Judges will make their decisions based on originality, style and literary quality. (Don't worry: Authors' names will be concealed during judging to preserve objectivity.)

How long should my story be?
Since this is a flash fiction contest, think anywhere from 300 to 1,000 words. (Not sure what flash fiction is? Read this and this.)

If my story is selected, what do I get?
Aside from bragging rights of being published in an award-winning newspaper? First prize gets $200 and publication in Creative Loafing. Second and third prize amounts are still being determined.

Is there an entry fee?
Yes, $5 per entry, and no more than three stories per entrant. You can pay via Paypal (see button below) or send us a check.

What's the deadline?
We must receive your submission by Dec. 6, 5 p.m. Our fiction issue will publish on Jan. 9.
To submit, email your story to backtalk@creativeloafing.com with the subject line FICTION CONTEST 2014. If we don't receive your entry fee by Dec. 6, we will not pass along your masterpiece to our judges.

Have any questions? Email us at backtalk@creativeloafing.com.