Bring a story that addresses the beginning or end of life. Does death intrude on life – or does life intrude on death? Make your point and bring it to life.
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Six chosen candidates will present their texts, thus becoming part of the evening's literary mosaic. However, it is the jury that decides whether they deserve fame or disgrace.
Topic:
Beginning and end. Conception and destruction. Birth and death. These are words that initially sound vague, but quickly take shape and power in life. How can a story position itself on this? What can it create from it? Pick up the trail and find out.
Participation:
You are required to announce your attendance in advance by email to ortdesschreibens@gmail.de. Only six candidates will present their texts this evening.
Outline the basic idea of your story in the email. The goal will be to promote the most interesting concepts and contrast opposing approaches to the topic in the competition. Applications are open until July 1, 2025.
The competition is free for all participants and spectators. Effort and ingenuity are enough.
Criteria for a short story presented:
This is a competition that will be judged on-site. Bring your text with you, present it, and also bring a second reading copy for the judges' table.
The story should be able to be presented in 12 to a maximum of 12.5 minutes. When the clock says it's over, it's over. A guideline that should make this easier is to stay under 1,700 words.
All texts must also be written in German.
(IN GERMAN)
Additional information
What is a short story?
A short story is a single plot that succinctly moves from a beginning to an end. It is coherent. It is efficient. It fully conveys its theme in its brevity and even in its lack of detail. Every sentence has its meaning. The style immerses you long enough to grasp what it's about and feel its weight, but it doesn't shout anything out—it demands the reader's participation. That's what your short stories should be like.
Prize:
First place will receive a box containing three items selected by the judges. And all compelling stories will receive a place on the website ortdesschreibens.de.
But it's really about honor.
Long live literature.
Presenter:
Ruben Maria Granz, born in 2001 and corrupted by the internet, is a writer and windbag. He will be the presenter.
Jury:
Aleph Niemeier, born in 1989 in Heidelberg, studied in Munich and Berlin, created spatial installations and readings at venues including Salon Irkutsk and Lost Weekend Munich. He has also held positions in the technical curation of a major science exhibition and in political advocacy. As a juror for "Place of Writing," he judges objectively based on his own mortality.
Alwon Barni, born in 1998 in Berlin, studied library science in Potsdam. He was a librarian in the parliamentary library of the Brandenburg State Parliament. Despite his deep connection to the big city, he remains a country boy, spending his holidays in Franconia. Regarding his work as a juror, he says he honors what he likes best, what moves him most deeply, or what is most stylishly polished. Let the games begin.
Rebecca Tanner, 19, has written several short films herself, interweaving psychological abysses with our modern everyday lives, as well as the call of the fatal. It was precisely this affinity for the hidden depths of every destiny that drove her to plunge into psychology studies. She's not easily inspired. Will your texts pass?
A short story is a single plot that succinctly moves from a beginning to an end. It is coherent. It is efficient. It fully conveys its theme in its brevity and even in its lack of detail. Every sentence has its meaning. The style immerses you long enough to grasp what it's about and feel its weight, but it doesn't shout anything out—it demands the reader's participation. That's what your short stories should be like.
Prize:
First place will receive a box containing three items selected by the judges. And all compelling stories will receive a place on the website ortdesschreibens.de.
But it's really about honor.
Long live literature.
Presenter:
Ruben Maria Granz, born in 2001 and corrupted by the internet, is a writer and windbag. He will be the presenter.
Jury:
Aleph Niemeier, born in 1989 in Heidelberg, studied in Munich and Berlin, created spatial installations and readings at venues including Salon Irkutsk and Lost Weekend Munich. He has also held positions in the technical curation of a major science exhibition and in political advocacy. As a juror for "Place of Writing," he judges objectively based on his own mortality.
Alwon Barni, born in 1998 in Berlin, studied library science in Potsdam. He was a librarian in the parliamentary library of the Brandenburg State Parliament. Despite his deep connection to the big city, he remains a country boy, spending his holidays in Franconia. Regarding his work as a juror, he says he honors what he likes best, what moves him most deeply, or what is most stylishly polished. Let the games begin.
Rebecca Tanner, 19, has written several short films herself, interweaving psychological abysses with our modern everyday lives, as well as the call of the fatal. It was precisely this affinity for the hidden depths of every destiny that drove her to plunge into psychology studies. She's not easily inspired. Will your texts pass?
Dates
July 2025
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