Using one of the two following prompts (or both, if you’re feeling dynamic), write a compelling short story. Entries will be received by our editorial staff, and a panel of esteemed judges will select their favorite five:  

1. She turned the envelope over in her hands. She had waited so long for this letter, but now she wasn’t sure she could bring herself to open it.
2. The morning dew was still dripping from the leaves, and the sound of a branch snapping wasn’t far away. From where he stood—or, was it hiding?—behind the bush, the noise seemed as if it could be as close as an arm’s length.  

The rules are simple:

Entries must not be longer than 600 words (yes, we understand that some of you cannot clear your throat in fewer than 1000 words, but this is micro-fiction). Word count does not include the prompt.

Submit your story as a Word document attachment to Editorial@RogueValleyMessenger.com no later than 5 pm Monday, May 2.

The top five submissions will be published in our May 12 issue, and their authors will read their stories at a special event. (Details unveiled in our next issue!)

Our judges panel includes:

Kumud Gokani, Best Author in the Valley, as voted by Messenger readers;

Karen Polsgrove, owner of Village Books in Medford; and,

Daniel Buck, Rogue Community College Writing Instructor.