Have You Read a Short Story Lately?

As a reader, I love delving into the world of a novel. It's even better when the story is part of a series as I can get to spend more time with the characters. That's one reason why I prefer TV shows over movies, but sometimes I want something shorter to read (or watch). In our fast-paced world, the short story definitely has a place.

Pros to Reading Short Stories

• They're short. Waiting for an appointment? Need something to entertain you during lunch? A short story is the perfect place to start. There are even short story vending machines in some places!
• Explore new authors. Reading the short stories in anthologies is a fantastic way to sample new-to-you authors.
• Explore new genres. We all have our favorite types of genres to read, but short stories are a great way to delve into a new genre.
• Satisfaction in reading a story. I'm not the fastest of readers, so I do feel a great deal of satisfaction when I finish reading a story and that occurs even faster with short stories.
• Instant gratification. Need to quench your thirst for reading. Short stories can do just that.

Con to Reading Short Stories

• They're short. You get excited about the characters and world, and then the story is over. But, hopefully, the author has more work for you to delve into. *crosses fingers*

So have you read a short story lately?

Welcome to the IWSG Anthology Website

All the IWSG Anthologies conveniently located in one blog!

This website has everything you need to know about all the IWSG Anthologies to date with room to grow for future anthologies. Here you will find:

• author bios and extra info
• story blurbs
• links to purchase
• interviews and informative posts
• links to past anthology websites
• news on upcoming anthologies and releases!

I want to thank my fellow overseers of this blog: Cherie Reich, Ellen Jacobson, Elizabeth Seckman, and L. Diane Wolfe. They're awesome!

Please contact us to:

• volunteer to write a post
• update/correct author info
• just to chat or offer suggestions

And to kick off our combined anthology website, we officially announce the opening for entries of the next IWSG Anthology Contest!

The 2018 Annual IWSG Anthology Contest
Word count: 3500-6000
Genre: Young Adult Romance
Theme: Masquerade
A Masquerade can be a false show or pretense, someone pretending to be someone they aren't. It can be a ball, a fancy dress party, it can be a mask. Open to interpretation.

Submissions accepted: September 5 - November 4, 2018

How to enter: Send your polished, formatted (Double spaced, no page numbers), previously unpublished story to: admin @ insecurewriterssupportgroup.com before the deadline passes. Please include your contact details, your social links, and if you are part of the Blogging, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter IWSG group.

Judging: The IWSG admins will create a shortlist of the best stories. The shortlist will then be sent to our official judges--check them out at the IWSG website, announced today (9/5)!

Prizes: The winning stories will be edited and published by Freedom Fox Press next year in the IWSG anthology. Authors will receive royalties on books sold, both print and eBook. The top story will have the honor of giving the anthology its title.

Come back on Sept 19th to see what Cherie Reich is going to share...

and good luck to those entering the contest!!