The Library Shop SD’s annual Matchbook Story Contest is now open!
What started as an oddball challenge to fit a short story inside a book of matches has grown into our most popular program and San Diego’s most notorious flash fiction contest. Can you fit your story inside a book of matches?
Each entry costs $5, there’s no limit to how many stories you can submit, and all the proceeds support the San Diego Public Library system.
The winning short story will be printed on a limited-edition matchbook available for purchase at the Library Shop and the winning author will receive 50 matchbooks, a $50 Library Shop gift card, publication of their story in the Library’s monthly e‑newsletter with a distribution list of over 100k library supporters (Library Connections) and exhibition of their Matchbook Short Story in the Hervey Family Rare Book Room’s tiny book display.
And, each entry fee will quadruple its impact thanks to a $5,000 matching gift from longtime supporter and Foundation Trustee Judith Wenker. Thanks to this generous match, participants’ entries will turn $5 into $20 to support the Library.
The Matchbook Story Contest is open to all ages. Entries must be received by November 15th. The winning story will be chosen by a Blue Ribbon Panel of Judges comprised of former Matchbook Story Contest winners. The winning story will be announced at the Fourth Annual Shorties, San Diego’s Shortest and Quirkiest Awards Gala Thursday, December 7th.
