The 9th Annual Literal Literary Postcard Story Contest

PLEASE NOTE: THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.

What it is:

A postcard story starts not with words, but an image. The image can be from a store, an online resource, your own creativity or received in the mail. Find a postcard that inspires you and inspires a story. A short story.

How it works:

1) Send us a story and a postcard—the relationship can be as strong or as tangential as you like, so long as there is a clear connection between the story and the image.

2) If you’re not sure where to look for a postcard, you can make your own or visit Wikimedia Commons.

3) The story can be fiction or non-fiction; maximum length is 500 words.

For a classic example of a postcard story, read "How to Survive in the Woods" or "Death in the Family."

Visit our postcard story archive for more examples of notable stories.

Prizes:

First Prize: $500

Second Prize: $250

Third Prize: $150

All winning entries will be published in Geist and on geist.com

Honourable Mentions: Swell Geist gifts and publication on geist.com

Entry Fee: $20

Includes a one-year subscription to Geist, Canada's favourite literary magazine. International entrants will receive the digital edition.

All additional entries are $5.

How to enter:

ONLINE: Click here. You will be prompted to upload your story, image and pay your entry fee.

BY MAIL: Send your postcard story, attached to the image with a paper clip (no staples, please), with a cover letter, $20 entry fee and note about how you found out about the contest to:

Geist Literal Literary Postcard Story Contest

210-111 West Hastings Street

Vancouver, BC V6B 1H4

Please note that judging is blind, so ensure your name doesn't appear on the story or the postcard.

Entries without an accompanying cover letter or entry fee will not be accepted.

Good luck and happy writing!

NEW EXTENDED DEADLINE: Entries must be postmarked no later than March 1, 2013.

Questions? Check out our Poscard Story Contest FAQ here.

Still unsure? Please email geist@geist.com or call 604-681-9161 with your queries.

THE FINE PRINT

Winning entries: Geist takes first serial rights for print and non-exclusive electronic rights to post the text and image at geist.com. All other rights remain with the author.

All publication rights for non-winning entries are retained by the entrants.

Postcards will be returned only if requested.

Geist contests are open to all entrants except Geist staff, contract employees, board members and executives of the Geist Foundation.

Latest Comments

Response

Hi Jill,

The setting for the story can be anywhere in the world and this goes for the postcard itself as well.

The Canadian connection is only required for regular, non-contest, submission to Geist.

Posted by Web Editor February 12, 2013 11:11:37
postcard place

I thought I read somewhere that the postcard has to be a Canadian postcard, but now I can't see that anywhere... can the story take place elsewhere?

Posted by jill February 11, 2013 21:38:55
Response

Hi Judith,

Geist welcomes all international entrants (best of luck to you and your class!).

The entry process is the same for Canadian and international entrants.

Please note that international entrants will receive a subscription to the digital edition of Geist

Posted by Web Editor November 05, 2012 14:55:23
check on American bank?

I am having my dear "Memoir Sisters" class enter this contest as a writing assignment. We are all in the USA. Can we write checks off our banks here? Anything else we should do differently because we're in the USA. We're very excited about this contest & the opportunity it gives our creative writing class.
Thanks - Judith S. Crandell

Posted by Judith Speizer Crandell November 05, 2012 14:23:13