A Story In 100 Words

It’s spring here in the Pacific Northwest, and that means it’s time for a new flash fiction contest. Starting today, I’ll be accepting submissions for our 100-word story contest, with the theme of Robots.

This is meant to be a broad category, to cover everything from cyborgs and killer computer brains to artificial intelligence and machine learning tools. There’s a rich history of robots and computers in all types of genres, not just traditional science fiction, so I encourage you to be creative.

The theme was inspired by an ongoing project I’m working on, in which I’m using an AI writing tool to create entirely original stories. The first story I had this AI write was, appropriately enough, exactly 100 words:

The Boy Who Lived With Robots And Had A Photographic Memory

One day I was wandering the halls of my house when I encountered a room I’d never seen before. In the center of this room was a large glass table with a crystal ball on it, and above was a large sign that read “Crystal Ball Room.” Never having seen this room before, I wondered if it was even real at all.

—–

Does this qualify as a story? I’ll allow you to be the judge. But for me personally, I’m getting prepared to welcome our new robot overlords.

—–

Here are the rules for the contest:

1. All stories must somehow engage with the theme of robots, AI, or anthropomorphic machines. Be creative.
2. The story must be exactly 100 words, not including the title.
3. Only one submission per person. All entries are due by May 31st.

That’s it. Start writing. I hope I get plenty of stories, so please spread the word.