Event Description
Boston’s iconic 100-word writing contest, now celebrating its fourth year, is open for submissions and we believe submitting is more fun in community. During this free two-hour session, we’ll brainstorm, write and submit up to 5 stories each to the contest through its online portal. Submit during the session and receive feedback on work-in-progress. GrubStreet instructor and previous Boston in 100 Words winning Kristen Paulson-Nguyen will lead the Submitathon.
Come join the fun! Please make sure to pre-register!
About Boston in 100 Words
“Boston in 100 Words” is an annual flash fiction writing contest in the greater Boston metropolitan area. The contest invites anyone living, working, or going to school in Boston and some surrounding towns to write stories of 100 words or fewer that depict everyday life in their communities. A team of local, renowned writers select winning stories, which are made available to the public for free in the form of large, illustrated posters installed throughout the city. “Boston in 100 Words” seeks to impact the largest number of Bostonians possible, as authors and readers of 100-word stories. Participation in the contest is free to everyone.
Since 2019, “Boston in 100 Words,” has received a total of 1,043 stories from 929 individuals ranging from ages 6 to 92. Story submissions have come from all 25 Boston neighborhoods and 13 surrounding towns. We have hired 22 local artists to illustrate 24 winning stories, which we have displayed on digital screens throughout downtown Boston and on 1,150 print posters throughout the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) system. In total, our digital and print posters have been viewed an estimated 18.3 million times by the Boston public. We have translated stories into some of the most spoken languages in Boston, including Chinese, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Haitian Creole.
“Boston in 100 Words” is modeled on a highly successful project, “Santiago in 100 Words,” that has run annually in Santiago, Chile, since 2001. After years of success in Chile, the contest expanded to cities in Mexico, Colombia, Poland, The Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia. Boston is the first city in the United States to become part of this transnational urban writing project. We believe that storytelling is a powerful social tool that connects individuals to each other despite our differences. “Boston in 100 Words” seeks to celebrate the city of Boston through a celebration of its people and their individual creative talents. Everyone has a story to share. We want to hear yours.
This class will take place in-person at our Center for Creative Writing in Boston's Seaport neighborhood.
Covid-19 Update:
GrubStreet's space will be mask-optional when Boston's Covid-19 Community Level is low or medium. When the Covid-19 Community Level is high, our space will require masks. Please check GrubStreet's Covid-19 page for the latest info on masking and Community Levels before visiting in person.
Space Accessibility:
Our space is ADA accessible with automatic door openers, ADA-compliant restrooms, desk and table spacing, braille signage, and elevator. Our classrooms can be equipped with ALS for hard of hearing individuals. We cannot guarantee a scent-free environment. For more accessibility requests, please contact our Operations team at [email protected] or (617) 695-0075.