Brno Short Story Contest 2024 Is Accepting Entries

For the 8th year in a row, Brno expats and writing enthusiasts prepared a short-story contest to spark that creative streak in any English-speaking resident of Brno (or past resident). It’s your chance to compete not only for the recognition of a story well told, but for a hefty prize pool, too!

This year’s theme “Only in Brno”

This year’s contest will have a total purse of 15,000 CZK to entice locals to create a piece of short fiction. The best short story will win 9,000CZK. Second place gets 4,000 and third place gets 2,000.

The deadline for entries is 19 May.

Only one entry per person. The short stories must be in English, 2,500 words or less, and address the theme “Only in Brno” in some significant way. 

The jury includes a cross-section of local cultural icons and writing enthusiasts: 

• Don Sparling, a co-founder of the Brno Expat Centre and a longtime leader in the local expat and Masaryk University communities;
• Tomáš Kačer, the head of the Department of English and American Studies at MU and a translator;
• Anna Formánková, a translator and a book editor at Nakladatelství MOBA; and
• Joe Lennon, a writer for Brno Daily and the Brno Expat Centre, and coordinator of the Writing Lab at Masaryk University.

When reading the entries, the jury will keep in mind that the story is the most important aspect, including writing, originality, character development, and plot development. It is understood that most of the entrants will not be native English speakers and that, in fact, this may be their first attempt to write creatively in English. All entrants should endeavour to adhere to the rules of English; however, spelling and grammar will not be critical for success.

Picture courtesy by Bruno Zalubil, canva.com