Write Michigan – 30 Days To Go! | Arts & Culture

The word is out about Write Michigan, the short story contest sponsored by KDL, Schuler Books & Music and the Grand Rapids Public Library.

As of the end of October, hundreds of Michigan residents had uploaded drafts to the Write Michigan website. We expect a deluge of entries as we approach the submission deadline on November 30.

From December 1 to January 10, teams of judges will read all of the entries and compile a list of finalists in two age categories (18 and older and 17 and younger). The top stories are assured a place in a collection printed by Schuler’s Chapbook Press. We’ll reveal the finalists on January 11, and then it will be up to you to vote for your favorite. The top two entries in each category will receivecash prizes.

Libraries encourage people to read, but they also inspire people to imagine, create and write. The late American author Ray Bradbury said this: “I spent three days a week for 10 years educating myself in the public library . . . (and) at the end of 10 years, I had read every book in the library and I’d written a thousand stories.”

How many future Ray Bradburys, J.K. Rowlingses, Malcolm Gladwells and Maya Angelous are patrons of a KDL branch? How can we encourage you? We think Write Michigan could be the platform to launch the next great Michigan writer. Could it be you?

Lance Werner, Director
Kent District Library