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?
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.
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 on December 3 at the Fifth Annual Shorties, San Diego’s Shortest and Quirkiest Awards Gala.
Each entry costs $5, and there’s no limit to the number of stories you can submit. All the proceeds support the San Diego Public Library system.
2023: Isabella Gutierrez is the 7th Annual Matchbook Story Contest winner, as announced @ The Fourth Annual Shorties!
Winning Story:
I wrote my last note to her on the back of a Starburst wrapper. I even drew a heart next to my name.
Years later she told me she had it pinned to her wall all through high school, until the bright red had faded and the words lost their meaning.
-Isabella Gutierrez
Congratulations to our nine finalists whose stories were performed live at the Shorties by Write Out Loud San Diego: Kurt Winbigler, Ravinder Sangha, Roxana Rad, Rebecca Pollard, Judith Leggett, Anna Hallett, Timothy Calaway, Diana Manley, and Claire Hsu Accomando.
2022: Cindy Chen is the 6th Annual Matchbook Story Contest winner, as announced @ The Third Annual Shorties!
Winning Story:
While we sat there, they came. They watched her with blank warm eyes and lifted her away. We still talk about her — the girl who was taken by a murder — and wonder if the crows will ever strike again.
-Cindy Chen
Congratulations to our nine finalists whose stories were performed live at the Shorties by Write Out Loud San Diego: Timothy Calaway, Ann Alves, Judy McDonough, Anne Eggertsen, Gladys Hernandez, Ned Norman, Karim Bouris, Daniella Rodiles, Kate Olsen!
2021: Sarah Hilliard is the 5th Annual Matchbook Story Contest winner, as announced @ The Second Annual Shorties!
Winning Story:
“Imagine yourself as a frog on a lily pad,” the soothing voice murmurs in my ear. Obediently, I picture it: Slimy and cold, I am adrift in a polluted pond. A heron’s lethal beak looms. My legs prepare to leap but it is too late. I delete the meditation app.
-Sarah Hilliard
Congratulations to our nine finalists whose stories were performed live at the Shorties by Write Out Loud San Diego: Timothy Calaway, Abby Kutzman, Ossiwary Commissary, Susan Hammons, David Smollar, Maureen Townsend, Brian Birk, Felice Data, Benjamin Jenkins!
2020: Michele Garb is the 2020 Maskbook Story Contest winner!
Winning Story:
After their date he turns to her, pausing. Smiling, she gets ready to say: I had fun too, or yes let’s do this again, or even, I love you too. But he says, “This has been really weird.”
-Michele Garb
2019: Kate Fellowes is the 2019 Matchbook Story Contest winner!
Winning Story:
Who stole my youth? The detective I hired uncovered the truth. “They were in it together,” he said, passing me photos. Father Time showed no remorse, his face kind and gentle. Mother Nature was unrepentant. “Honestly, darling,” she said when questioned, “what did you expect?”
-Kate Fellowes
Second Place Story:
The bus is empty, like the crumpled lifesaver wrapper in my parka’s pocket. We saved the raspberry ones for last. “The best flavor,” I insisted; she loved their color. Roadside heather spattered in drifted snow blurs by. Sometimes when we kissed, a tiny, purple, disappearing crescent slid across our tongues.
-Chris Gorie
Third Place Story:
It was our last match and last nerve. Wet, gritty, uninviting: Our sleeping bags, relationship metaphors. Great pops sounded from the lakeshore. A bear slapping fish on rocks? Fear grabbed our axe. A long flash of gas. It was just a beaver and you, farting, restoring our love.
- MacKenzie Elmer
2018: Cristina Schaffer is the 2018 Matchbook Story Contest winner!
Winning Story:
The smell of garlic sizzling woke me up. Mom was home. Hadn’t seen her in four days. Mahjong. Sometimes she won, mostly she didn’t. I dressed for school. At least I got fried rice and spam this morning.
- Cristina Schaffer
Second Place Story:
I couldn’t cross you Two parallel lines onwards upwards never meeting again
- Elma Trinidad
Third Place Story:
My brain cracking open in a wily fire sparks small illuminations some call art.
- Marilyn Rudoff
2017: Tara Gilboy is the 2017 Matchbook Story Contest Winner!
Winning Story:
@ToBuildAFire replied to
@TheLittleMatchGirl:
These are junk.
#JackLondon
#HansChristianAndersen
- Tara Gilboy
Second Place Story:
My life in six words
Cursed with happy childhood;
No bestseller
- Claire Hsu Accomando
Third Place Story:
January Thaw
At last, skates off. Kicking, gliding, she
Rocketed up toward the light, but she could
Not find that broken surface in the ice.
- Evy Potochny