Ian McEwan wrote in Atonement that “in a story, you only had to wish, you only had to write it down and could have the world.” The quote has never been truer than in the case of E.P. Tuazon’s story collection. Tuazon turns even the most ordinary scenario into something surreal, if not magical.

Writing short stories offers many advantages to the budding novelist. It can help build your credentials as a fiction writer and establish a readership. For me, there was an unexpected benefit – experimentation that led to publication.

The Chicago Tribune is now accepting short stories for the 2017 Nelson Algren Literary Awards. It is seeking original and unpublished short stories no longer than 8,000 words. To enter your story in the competition, it must be entirely fictional and not based on actual person, whether living or not.

Two small publishers are open to unagented and unsolicited submissions within the next few weeks. Tayen Lane Publishing is seeking short stories for two anthologies until the end of March, while Black Balloon Publishing will consider manuscripts in April. Both companies publish a wide range of fiction and nonfiction books.

Although WOW! is primarily for women, its 2016 Flash Fiction Contest is open to both men and women who write short stories in English from anywhere in the world. The contest is limited to the first 300 entries, so enter now.

The Chicago Tribune is looking for original and unpublished short stories no longer than 8,000 words for the Nelson Algren Literary Awards. A grand prize of $3,500 and possible publication in the newspaper will be awarded to one winner. Nine other prizes will also be given.

I used to be a closet novelist. I used to have the most excruciating conversations with co-workers who asked me every Friday: What are you doing this weekend? My answer was always the same: Oh…nothing special.