A New Kind of Literary Pulse

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. 

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.