University Libraries

Libraries' ‘Among the Shadows’ fall Short Story Contest seeks submissions

Creative writing entries and voting open Oct. 1-31

Credit: Penn State. All Rights Reserved.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State University Libraries invites Penn State students, faculty and staff to submit original short stories or poetry centered on the theme “Among the Shadows” to the fall Short Stories writing contest.

For this contest, the Editorial Board calls for entries that uncover the hidden pieces of our favorite childhood tales.

What hides in the darkness? As children, we may have been told stories while being tucked into for bed each night. Fairytales — like Cinderella, Snow White, Hansel and Gretel — and always with a happy ending. But what if, lurking in the shadows under our beds, in dark alleys, hidden in plain sight, were the true endings? The bone-chilling, terrifying endings? What if each time a story is told, it twists and fractures into a new version of itself?

The “Among the Shadows” contest is open for submissions Saturday, Oct. 1 through Monday, Oct. 31. The subject of short stories and poems to be considered should incorporate the idea of dark, upended fairytales and childhood stories in a way that is significant to the piece. Qualifying lengths are as follows: Short-story submissions should not exceed 7,500 characters, including spaces; and poetry submissions should not exceed 6,000 characters.  

Submissions must be received by Oct. 31 to be considered. Stories and poems accepted by the editorial board will be published on the Short Edition website, during which time the public is encouraged to vote for their favorites. From across the commonwealth, five winners will be chosen: four selected by the editorial board and one “voter favorite” winner, chosen by the public on the website. Each of the five winning student authors will receive $100 and have their story or poem published on the Libraries' 11 Penn State Short Edition short-story dispensers.

Several honorable mentions, chosen by the editorial board and community voters, also will be published on the dispensers. Any applicants from the Penn State community are eligible to win honorable mention.

During the open submission period, the public is encouraged to visit the Short Stories website to read and vote for their favorite submissions. Although only Penn State students are eligible to win prizes, all qualifying submissions will be posted for voting and comments and will be considered for use in the dispensers. 

Penn State Libraries short-story dispensers at the University Park campus can be found at: 

  • Pattee Library mall entrance
  • Grange Building entrance at Pollock Road

In addition, Penn State Libraries short-story dispensers also are at, or near:

For up-to-date information about dispenser access, for voting or for more information about the “Among the Shadows" writing contest, visit psu.short-edition.com.

Questions about the Libraries Short Stories writing contests, the Libraries Short Stories online platform, or short-story dispensers’ curricular or co-curricular use can be directed to Danica White, student engagement coordinator for Library Learning Services, at dew5422@psu.edu.   

Last Updated September 26, 2022