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Winners: Climate Flash Fiction Contest

As part of this year’s One Read program, we invited you to take inspiration from Charlotte McConaghy’s “Migrations,” by telling a tale of climate fiction in 250 words or less. Climate fiction explores climate change and its impact on Earth and on society, and is generally speculative in nature.

Thank you to everyone who entered and shared your works of flash fiction.

Our two winners are Xander Kennedy and Kim Wade. Honorable mentions go to Philip Shearrer and Josh Ray.

We are excited to share these stories with you! Continue reading “Winners: Climate Flash Fiction Contest”

Take Part in the One Read Author Talk

Climate Flash Fiction: A One Read Writing Contest

“In their own private ways they were all grieving the end of this life, knowing it must come to an end, not knowing how they’ll survive that.”
~Charlotte McConaghy “Migrations”

Ice Formation In Body Of WaterIn this year’s One Read selection, author Charlotte McConaghy tells a story of a world not so different from our own, a story of one potential, not-so-far-away future. Taking inspiration from “Migrations,” we invite you to write a story of climate fiction in 250 words or less. Climate fiction explores climate change and its impact on Earth and on society, and is generally speculative in nature. Your piece can be set at any point in time, be it past, present or future, and its tone can be hopeful, pessimistic or anywhere in between.

Starting September 3, entries may be submitted using this form, mailed or dropped off at any library or bookmobile. (See full rules below for details.) Winning entries and honorable mentions will be published on this site and in the Columbia Missourian, and winners will receive a $25 bookstore gift card.

Participants must be age 16 or older and residents of Boone or Callaway Counties. Read on for complete contest rules. Continue reading “Climate Flash Fiction: A One Read Writing Contest”

Call for Submissions: One Read Art Exhibit

Flight: One Read Art Exhibit invitation graphic of a bird flying with outstretched wingsFlight
One Read Art Exhibit
Orr Street Studios (106 Orr Street, Columbia)

Inspired by this year’s One Read book, “Migrations,” we invite Mid-Missouri artists ages 16 and older to contribute works that explore the idea of movement, escape or adventure. Flight may be literal or metaphorical, real or fantastical, natural or mechanized.

Cash prizes will be awarded for three winners, sponsored by Columbia’s Office of Cultural Affairs. The third place winner will receive $50, second place $75 and first place $125. The first place winner will also receive a one-year membership to the Columbia Art League.

The exhibit will take place September 10-20, and can be viewed at a reception on Friday, September 13 or during Orr Street Studios’ open hours. (See www.orrstreetstudios.com for details.)

“There is nothing so disturbing as a creature born to flight being bound to dull lifelessness.”

― Charlotte McConaghy, “Migrations”

Fortunately, despite the recent fire, Orr Street Studios is expecting to have the gallery ready for September exhibits, including “Flight.”

Submission Details Continue reading “Call for Submissions: One Read Art Exhibit”

2024 One Read Winner: “Migrations” by Charlotte McConaghy

About the Book

Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy book coverA vanished mother, a passionate love affair and a mysterious tragedy lend the pacing of a thriller to parts of this gorgeously written and heart-wrenching novel, “Migrations,” about losses of all kinds, and the hope for redemption.

In the not-too-distant future, nature is on the verge of collapse, and Franny Stone has left everything behind but her research gear as she arrives in Greenland to track the world’s last flock of Arctic terns on what might be its final migration. She talks her way onto a fishing vessel, persuading the captain that she can help him find fish in exchange for transportation. As she and the crew travel farther from safety, we learn more about Franny’s dark and traumatic past.

About the Author

Charlotte McConaghy author photoCharlotte McConaghy has a master’s degree in screenwriting from the Australian Film Television and Radio School and a number of published science fiction and fantasy works for young adults in Australia. “Migrations” is her first foray into adult literary fiction. Her latest novel and New York Times bestseller, “Once There Were Wolves,” is a romantic mystery about a biologist charged with reintroducing wolves to the Scottish Highlands. Her newest novel, “Wild Dark Shore” is coming in March 2025. Charlotte is an Australian author living in Sydney.

Biographical information and author photo courtesy of www.charlottemcconaghy.com; Photo credit: Emma Daniels.

Winners: Reckoning Flash Fiction Contest

As part of this year’s One Read program, we invited you to take inspiration from Margaret Verble’s “When Two Feathers Fell From the Sky,” by telling a tale in 250 words or less, and we asked that you write about someone facing accountability or consequences in some way.

Thank you to everyone who entered and shared your works of flash fiction.

Our two winners are Aubrey Bjork and Regan Puckett. Honorable mentions go to Xander Kennedy and Jessica Piccone.

We are excited to share these stories with you! Continue reading “Winners: Reckoning Flash Fiction Contest”

One Read Author Talk: Margaret Verble

photo of author Margaret VerbleThursday, September 28 › 7-8:30 p.m.

  • Launer Auditorium, Columbia College, 1001 Rogers Street, Columbia
  • Broadcast live on KOPN 89.5-FM
  • Livestream at Callaway County Public Library in Fulton

Join us for a live conversation with One Read author Margaret Verble and former KFRU radio host David Lile. They will talk about her book “When Two Feathers Fell From the Sky,” her writing process and her inspiration for the novel. There will be an opportunity for the audience to ask questions and get copies of the book signed. You can also watch a livestream of this talk at the Callaway County Public Library in Fulton and hear it live on KOPN 89.5-FM.

Read more about the book and the author here.

Reckoning: One Read Flash Fiction Writing Contest

So his death had not been avenged. And that was a serious matter. It disturbed the harmony.
~Margaret Verble, “When Two Feathers Fell From the Sky”

Bronze statue of Justice carrying a sword and holding up scales representing law and order over a brown background with copy space

In this year’s One Read selection, author Margaret Verble delves into what happens when a buried past finally comes to light. Taking inspiration from “When Two Feathers Fell From the Sky,” we invite you to tell a story of a reckoning in 250 words or less. Your tale can be about anything or anyone, but it should include someone facing accountability or consequences in some way.

Starting September 1, entries may be submitted using this form, mailed or dropped off at any library or bookmobile. (See full rules below for details.) Winning entries and honorable mentions will be published on this site and in the Columbia Missourian, and winners will receive a $25 bookstore gift card.

Participants must be age 16 or older and residents of Boone or Callaway Counties. Read on for complete contest rules.

Continue reading “Reckoning: One Read Flash Fiction Writing Contest”

Call for Submissions: One Read Art Exhibit

Unearthed
One Read Art Exhibit
Orr Street Studios (106 Orr Street, Columbia)

Inspired by this year’s One Read book “When Two Feathers Fell From the Sky,” we invite Mid-Missouri artists ages 16 and older to contribute works for our 2023 exhibition, “Unearthed.” Works should explore the revelation of something buried or hidden, capture the idea of discovery, or bring to light something previously held in darkness.

Cash prizes will be awarded for three winners, sponsored by Columbia’s Office of Cultural Affairs. The third place winner will receive $50, second place $75 and first place $125.

The exhibit will take place September 1 – 15, and can be viewed in person at the September 1 First Friday reception.

“She pictured mounds covering the ground like giant, rounding waves coming into a beach. She imagined them being there, maybe under her feet. Holding layers and layers of ancestors, elders, and ancient ones. Trapped somehow in rocks or stones.”

― Margaret Verble, “When Two Feathers Fell From the Sky”

Submission Details Continue reading “Call for Submissions: One Read Art Exhibit”