#351 The Tools of Creation with Angela Yuriko Smith

This week, we’re running a takeover in collaboration with award-winning author and publisher Angela Yuriko Smith, who’ll be hosting a masterclass on “How to Write Flash Fiction That Sells” as part of our How to Write a Winning Short Story workshop on May 5.

The winner of this week’s Prompts contest will not only be awarded $250 — they’ll also receive personal feedback from Angela herself, as well as a free ticket to our Short Story workshop (worth $49). And for everyone who joins this week’s contest, you’ll receive a 20% discount on your ticket to the workshop. Join industry experts to learn how to perfect your short fiction, and put your practice into action with a free Prompts entry for all workshop attendees!

Here’s what Angela has to say about her takeover:

The right pen, paper, or keyboard can put us in the mood to create literary magic — but the best pen in the world won’t write a single word for us. Our real tools are harder to name: attention, time, memory, and instinct. These are the invisible things we rely on, and sometimes lose.

This week’s prompts explore the idea of creation itself. Some lean lyrical, some dramatic, but all invite you to consider the instruments behind the work. What do you reach for when it’s time to make something, and what happens when it reaches back?

Special Update: The Results 🏆

The top pick for this takeover was "Samantha Strolls in Silver Fields" by Jamie Campbell. Here's what guest judge Angela Yuriko Smith had to say about it:

This story wound up being my favorite because, via the Dreamscape chair, the author could (and did) take us through such a range of well-written experiences while capturing despair. From the high-energy start to the beautifully bleak ending, this story speaks to the deeply human fear of existing without purpose, and how far we will go to feel alive.

Congratulations to contest winner Jamie Campbell and the runners-up, Corey Grant and Mike Hedlesky!