After the resounding success of the inaugural Fast Fiction Contest in fall 2008, the Brandon Book Festival Association’s board of directors has decided to organize a second edition.

About 50 aspiring writers took part in the first 24-hour event. The entries had to integrate a required element suggested by the organizers, namely a character who did not sleep. Lengths varied as did topics. Local writer, Andy Schroeder’s tale about a toy robot’s intellectual awakening took the top prize – a copy of the four most recent novels by the authors who appeared at Words Alive, Brandon’s premiere downtown book festival a few weeks later. As well, his story was published in the Brandon Sun and the Words Alive programme.

“Our goal was to encourage hopeful writers. The interest was astounding
for the contest’s first year,” said T. Keith Edmunds, the BBFA’s board president. “The writers were all eager, whether they were six or 60 years
old. The feedback was very positive, with most people glad to have had a
chance to participate.”

The 2009 edition of Fast Fiction will kick off at 5 p.m., on September 26,
at Pennywise Books. At that time, the new required element will be divulged. Writers will then have 24 hours to write their submission and deliver it to Pennywise Books by 4:59 p.m. on September 27. E-copies will be accepted for the first time.

Admission to the contest is free and it is open to all interested writers.

The 2009 Words Alive, showcasing authors from coast to coast, will take
place Oct. 23 and 24, at The Music Studio. Admission is free.