From June 4 to July 5, we received an amazing number of entries for our Flash 405 contest (our largest yet!). They spanned every genre: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, stage, and screen. Some stories even blurred the boundaries of genre—fitting, given this month’s theme of “Metamorphosis,” chosen by guest judge and acclaimed novelist, critic, and essayist Judith Freeman.
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Exposition Review had a great #AWP16–we launched Vol I: “IX Lives,” met some amazing writers, and heard some amazing work–and we wanted more. That’s why just a day after the conference ended, we opened submissions for our next round of Flash 405. Our chosen theme for this round was “Fault.” Judge Mellinda Hensley invited writers to think about rifts, blame, and brokenness–those tenuous moments that make us hold our breath.
We are still pinching ourselves that the amazingly-talented writer Amy Gerstler was the guest judge for our February Flash 405 competition. This award-winning poet offered six mix-and-match themes for our writers: altered states, lost, disorder, feast, fellow creatures, and tattoo. She prompted contestants to pick one, incorporate all six, or take inspiration from a selection.
Continue reading “Flash 405, February 2016: Amy Gerstler’s “Six Themes” Winners”
On November 4, 2015, we opened submissions for our very first Flash 405 contest. The theme was “Roots,” taking into account the many nomads and transplants that call Southern California home–for now and for good. We invited authors to think about assimilation; origin stories and good riddances; and the meaning of home.
Continue reading “Flash 405, November 2015: “Roots” Winners”