About the contest:

We're searching for the best short story of any theme.

Semi-finalists will be chosen by a regional team of published writers. The final manuscript will be chosen by Susan Swartwout, publisher of Southeast Missouri State University Press.

Winner receives an award of $500 and publication in Big Muddy: A Journal of the Mississippi River Valley.

Winner will be announced January, 2013.

  Visit the Big Muddy homepage

 Guidelines:

•  Work must not be previously published.

•  Send maximum of 30 double-spaced pages, with no identifying name on the pages, and a separate cover sheet with story title, author's name, address, and phone number.

•  No e-submissions are accepted.

•  Send SASE for notification of results; all manuscripts will be recycled.

•  $15 reading fee includes a copy of the issue of Big Muddy in which the winning story appears.

Mail manuscripts to:

MRSS Contest
Southeast Missouri State University Press
One University Plaza, MS 2650
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701