Reverse Inspiration Challenge 3: “Book Love”

The theme is deceptively simple this time guys. Keen observers of my blog would have noticed the other day that I posted about my belated future shock when I downloaded my first eBooks.

It was so easy, and an enjoyable alternative way to read.

But it made me realise that my kids would probably never love paper books the way I do, because their exposure to them will be so greatly reduced. It feels wrong that my son won’t have a ratty, treasured collection of Batman under his bed.

I find it really interesting that as a (wannabe) writer, the thought of eBooks doesn’t worry me in the slightest, but as a reader it does.

The theme for this comp is that you show your love for books as artefacts! Do this by:

1. Writing a story where a book is central to the plot,

2. Writing a story with books as characters,

3. Write a poem about books.

Minimum word count is 500, maximum is 1,200 words.

Any genre! Submissions are accepted from around the world, and should be sent to dansimmo1 (at) gmail.com.

Writers of any standard are welcome to join in!

Along with the opportunity to have their story on my blog, their are two prizes (so far) up for grabs, chosen this time to fit the theme. They are both finely crafted examples of the book form. It also doesn’t hurt that the artists are incredibly talented Australian writers as well.

1. Sourdough and Other Stories, by Angela Slatter.

This beautiful book is one of two collections Slatter has put out this year.

You can find out more about Angela here, and about Sourdough and Other Stories here.

To see how Tartarus create their amazing books click here.

2. Glitter Rose, by Marianne de Pierres.

Published by the giant killing Twelfth Planet Press, Glitter Rose is a compact impressively pink hardcover containing beautiful artwork.

To find out more about Glitter Rose, click here.

To find out more about Marianne de Pierres click here.

3. The Arrival and Sketches from a Nameless Land, by Shaun Tan

This award winning wordless picture book has been lauded near and far, and has now been released in a special edition that includes a secondary book of sketches that were made over the course of The Arrival’s creation. Truly a remarkable piece of art.

Find out more about The Arrival here, and Shaun himself, here.

To see a copy of this special edition of the book, click here.

***

THE COMPETITION IS NOW OPEN.

ALL ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY MIDNIGHT ON THE 15th NOVEMBER 2010 (WESTERN AUSTRALIAN TIME)

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

REVERSE INSPIRATION CHALLENGE: SPECULATIVE FICTION

REVERSE INSPIRATION CHALLENGE:

SPECULATIVE FICTION

Speculative fiction is an umbrella fiction genre covering the more specific genres of science fiction, fantasy, horror, supernatural fiction, superhero fiction, utopian and dystopian fiction, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, and alternate history. (Yes, I pulled this from Wikipedia!)

THE CHALLENGE IS:

For you, my readers, to write 300 to 500 words of speculative fiction using the following as inspiration:

“It was, rather, the quiet time under the tree, with the green leaves against the blue sky, the mild breeze, the soft sound of animals, and Giskard opposite him with faintly glowing eyes.”

Taken from the end of Isaac Asimov’s, “The Robots of Dawn”.

You don’t need to use this line, and you shouldn’t use the characters. No Asimov fan-fiction please.  Just go with any image the passage puts in your mind, and take it from there. There are no wrong answers, only interesting writing. The competition is open to everyone, regardless of age, writing ability, or location on the planet.

TO ENTER:

Email your entry to dansimmo1(at)gmail.com with the entry pasted into the body of the email, and the subject line: “Reverse Inspiration Entry: Spec Fiction”.

SUBMISSION DATE:

Monday 10^th May 2010 – 31^st May 2010

PRIZES:

Two prizes are up for grabs, both coming from a West Australian publishing house, Twelfth Planet Press, who are rapidly building a reputation for putting out original, high quality speculative fiction. The entrants will be judged by Mark Welker, the Griffith Review 2009 Emerging Writer.

First prize:

Published on the Fiction on Demand blog, and a copy of Roadkill/Siren Beat, by Robert Shearman and Tansy Rayner Roberts

About Roadkill/Siren Beat

Second Prize:

Published on the Fiction on Demand blog, and a copy of Angel Rising, by Dirk Flinthart

About Angel Rising

Third and Fourth Prize:

Published on Fiction on Demand blog.

Get writing people!