Money Chronicles: A Story Initiative

2nd Edition

 

women

It's time to talk about money

Our relationship with money is one of the most important and complex we will have. As a result, money can also be one of the most challenging topics to share and discuss. 

Last year, hundreds of writers submitted short stories about experiences with money, using the universal art of storytelling to encourage conversations around this tough topic. Now it’s your turn!

Submit your short story starting August 19 as part of the second edition of Money Chronicles: A Story Initiative from Principal Foundation and supported by Short Edition and the Center for Fiction.

Principal Foundation believes talking about money empowers people and communities to build more financially secure futures. It’s time to bring our experiences – positive and negative – out of the shadows.

We want to read your imaginative and meaningful short stories (fiction and creative nonfiction) touching on themes related to money and personal finance. Introduce us to protagonists whose relationship to money may be on the verge of unexpected or needed change. Your tale may be the inspiration someone needs to reimagine their relationship with money. 

Contest Timeline

Adults aged 18 and up who live in the United States can submit a short story between August 19, 2024 12:00 am PDT and October 2, 2024 11:59 pm PDT. 
The winner and the finalists will be announced around December 11, 2024.

Winner & Prizes

The first 400 submissions will be read by Short Edition’s editorial team and the winner will be selected by a panel of esteemed authors, curated by the Center for Fiction. 
Up to 20 finalists will also be awarded.

The winner will receive a $1000 honorarium, and each finalist will also receive an honorarium of $150.

The winner and the finalists’ stories will be distributed across Principal Foundation’s Short Story Dispensers throughout the year in these 6 locations:

  • New York Public Library (455 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016)
  • Charlotte Mecklenburg Library (7015 Carnegie Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28211)
  • Prairie Lights (15 South Dubuque, St. Iowa City, IA 52240)
  • Elliott Bay Book Company (1521 10th Ave., Seattle WA USA, 98122)
  • Sip & Sonder (108 S Market St, Inglewood, CA 90301)
  • Politics & Prose (5015 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20008) New location!

In addition, Short Edition will consider the winner and all finalists for international publication in their 300+ Dispensers worldwide, located in universities, public libraries, airports, public transportation centers, retail, and many other locations.

Best Writing Contests of 2024, recommended by Reedsy

Spread the word!

Post on social media and let your community know you’re participating in the 2nd edition of this contest. You can also encourage people around you to share their own story as well.

Use #MoneyChronicles and #PrincipalFoundation to pass on the message.

Outline

Submissions
Finalists
August 19, 2024 – October 2, 2024 December 11, 2024
  • Submit your short story (fiction or creative nonfiction) of 7,500 characters maximum (spaces included).
  • Only 400 submissions will be read, so get your work in early!
  • Announcement of the winner and up to 20 finalists 
  • The winner will receive a $1000 honorarium.
  • Each finalist will receive a $150 honorarium.
  • The winner and finalists' works will be published in Principal Foundation's Short Story Dispensers, as well as on the Short Edition website.

Principal Financial Group Foundation, Inc. (“Principal Foundation”) is a duly recognized 501(c)(3) entity focused on providing philanthropic support to programs that build financial security in the communities where Principal Financial Group, Inc. (“Principal”) operates. While Principal Foundation receives funding from Principal, Principal Foundation is a distinct, independent, charitable entity. Principal Foundation does not practice any form of investment advisory services and is not authorized to do so.