Short Fiction: The City Speaks. How Should We Answer? (PAMLA 2021)

The city is a contradiction. At its centre, it is simultaneously claustrophobic and isolating; its outskirts are escaped both to and from. This virtual (online) session, ‘Short Fiction: The City Speaks. How Should We Answer?’ invites submissions of original, unpublished short stories that explore the emotional and physical landscape of the city. Stories should be inspired by and interpret the PAMLA 2021 theme, in a unique way.

Dedicated solely to original works of short fiction, this session will provide an exciting opportunity for delegates to present creative work exploring how, such an ambiguous space, be that the adult Epcot that is Las Vegas itself, a different sprawling metropolis, or the city as a concept, speaks to them as a writer. Not only will attendees have the opportunity to hear these stories for the first time, they will be encouraged to discuss and analyse the works with the writers in the post-reading question and answer session.

Submissions are requested for pieces of short fiction between 2,000 and 3,000 words. The stories should be original, unpublished and independent, rather than an extract from a longer piece. All short story forms, and types, whether epical, lyrical or artifice will be considered, as will literary fiction and genre fiction. An accompanying abstract, outlining the particular space connected with the story, and how the narrative explores the conference theme should be submitted simultaneously.

Four stories will be selected for the originality of their interpretation of the conference theme and for balance and contrast of the session as a whole.

Please submit extracts/summaries via: https://pamla.ballastacademic.com/

Once you have created an account, you will be able to use the online system to submit an abstract. The deadline for proposals has been extended to 21st July. If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Cavanagh (J.Cavanagh@2016.ljmu.ac.uk)