Introducing the Split Lip Summer Mixtape Contest Vol. 1! Judged by Juan Martinez, author of Best Worst American, the very first Split Lip flash contest brings together pop culture and flash fiction in one exciting package.

Write your best short (short) story based on Juan's summer mixtape (available via YouTube here and below) and send us what you've got.

The 1st place winner will receive $250, publication in Split Lip’s inaugural print issue, and an invitation to read at Split Lip’s AWP '18 reading/issue launch.

2nd place: $50

3rd place: $25

All finalists will be considered for future publication. Winners and finalists will be notified in late October.

Fine Print (Please follow the rules):

• 750 words or less, inspired by the mixtape.

• Multiple submissions are allowed.

• Simultaneous subs are allowed, but please let us know immediately upon acceptance elsewhere.

• Do not put your name or identifying information on your uploaded document. Submissions with identifying information will be disqualified. 

• All submissions will be considered for publication. 

• Former contributors are eligible for entry.

• Close friends/family/colleagues and current or former students of this year's judge are not allowed to enter. For the purposes of the contest, a close friend is defined as someone with whom the judge has frequent contact (e.g., you email at least once a month).

Please note that Split Lip Magazine subscribes to the Council of Literary Magazines and Presses (CLMP) Contest Code of Ethics. We are committed to running an ethical contest. 

CLMP's community of independent literary publishers believes that ethical contests serve our shared goal: to connect writers and readers by publishing exceptional writing. We believe that intent to act ethically, clarity of guidelines, and transparency of process form the foundation of an ethical contest. To that end, we agree to 1) conduct our contests as ethically as possible and to address any unethical behavior on the part of our readers, judges, or editors; 2) to provide clear and specific contest guidelines—defining conflict of interest for all parties involved; and 3) to make the mechanics of our selection process available to the public. This Code recognizes that different contest models produce different results, but that each model can be run ethically. We have adopted this Code to reinforce our integrity and dedication as a publishing community and to ensure that our contests contribute to a vibrant literary heritage.

Here's how we'll do it:

• To be certain that each manuscript receives the fairest consideration, all manuscripts will be judged anonymously. A member of our staff will serve as a contest coordinator and will not read contest submissions. This staff member will assign submissions to a team of readers, all of whom will read blind. 

• Readers will be instructed to “grade” each manuscript on a scale of 1-5, and to make notes and recommendations on each of the “5” and “high 4” manuscripts. All of the “5” and “high 4” manuscripts will be looked at again for further consideration by the readers and Split Lip editors, excluding the contest coordinator. The team will narrow entries to a top ten.

• The top ten entries will then be compiled, without identifying information, and sent to this year's judge. This year's judge will choose a winner and two finalists. 

• Should you have any questions about the contest or our judging process, please get in touch (kaitlyn at splitlipmagazine dot com).

Happy listening and good luck!