Get your pens ready: the seventh annual edition of the Brno Short Story Writing Contest is open to the public, with prizes totaling CZK 17,000. The English-language writing contest invites local writers to address the theme “Perfect Strangers” in a creative way that has a Brno angle, for a chance to win one of the prizes that total CZK 17,000.
IMPORTANT DATES
The deadline for entries is Sunday, May 21, 2023. The winners will be announced in June 2023.
PARTNER ARTICLE
Story aspects such as writing, originality, character development, and plot development are the main criteria for judging submissions. Additionally, each story must address the theme of "Perfect Strangers" in some significant way.
Aspiring writers worried about their English writing skills should know that the jury approaches submissions with the understanding that most of the entrants will not be native English speakers; this means that spelling and grammar will not be critical for the success of a story. Visit the website of the contest for an overview of the official rules, including a style guide.
List of judges
- 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 book editor at MOBA Publishing House
- Anne Johnson, a medical and academic editor and co-founder of Czech Theater
- Joe Lennon, a writer for Brno Daily and the Brno Expat Centre, and coordinator of the Writing Lab at Masaryk University
For more information, go to the contest website or visit the "Brno Writers" Facebook group. Send questions to brnowritersgroup@gmail.com.

