Save the Date!
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36 Hours
6 Prompts
1 Short Story
$1,000s in Prizes
August 17-18, 2013
Nothing shatters writer’s block like a tight deadline and some good-natured competition. Sledgehammer 36-Hour Writing Contest attracts professional authors and sometimes-writers alike from far and wide. This year, we want to make it better than ever! It’s our sixth anniversary, and because six is the square root of thirty-six–our magic number–we want to amp up the competition. So we’re doing six writing prompts, instead of our usual four, and six prize packages. That’s right, six chances to win!
“Whoa, back up a bit,” you might be saying. “What’s this business about writing prompts? Where do we get those from?” Well, let’s get into the details. Contestants will meet all at one location (TBD) at noon on Saturday, August 17, where the Sledgehammer staff will give you your first writing prompt and a clue. With that clue, you’ll embark on a scavenger hunt around Portland to collect a total of six writing prompts. You must incorporate all six writing prompts into the original story you’ll write and turn in by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday.
To make the contest even more fun, you can compete either as a team or individually. Gather up some friends to create your own A-Team, or hole yourself up in a twenty-four-hour cafe to tap in to your own genius. How you approach the writing is up to you–just be sure to enter your best work, and don’t forget any prompts!
There will be six categories in which you can potentially win a prize package. The details are still being hashed out, so check back for updates. Past prize packages have collectively totaled more than $12,000!
All winners will be announced the week of September 30. Winners are invited to read at various venues throughout the year.
Thank you to our 2013 Sledgehammer-level sponsors!
See more sponsors in the right sidebar.
Monthly Mini Sledgehammer Writing Contests
Join us for monthly Mini Sledgehammer Writing Contests, 36 minutes dedicated to shattering your writer’s block!
Our first Wednesday series is the newest, occurring monthly at Centennial Library in Metlakatla, Alaska.
First Wednesdays, 6 p.m.
Fourth and Milton
Metlakatla, AK 99926
Our second Tuesday series is graciously hosted by Blackbird Wine & Atomic Cheese.
Second Tuesdays, 7 p.m.
4323 NE Fremont St.
Portland, OR 97213 (map)
503-282-1887
Free to enter. Each event includes 36 minutes of writing guided by four writing prompts. Stories will be judged, and the winner will take home prizes.
We’ll bring notepads, but feel free to write on your laptop instead. Events start promptly, so arrive early to settle in with a glass of wine or to browse the bookshelves before the clock starts ticking!
PLEASE NOTE: There will be no Mini Sledgehammers during August due to proximity to the big event!
