Letter from the Editors

We are Holding a Contest

The cover image for this issue was lost for 80 years (see Magic Lantern story). It bore the simple inscription “Soldiers at Omsk Train Station,” and it seemed to us to contain huge potential for a short story. It was, after all, taken in late 1918, as Russia lurched from World War to Civil War, from monarchy to proletarian dictatorship. What is this man’s story?

So we are sponsoring a short story contest. Here are the rules.

1. All stories must be submitted in electronic format, via email (with text or MS Word attachment) to:

[email protected]

2. Stories may be a maxium of 500 words. Maximum two entries per person.

3. Stories must be submitted in English. All entries must include entrant’s full name, address, and email address.

4. Stories will be judged on their literary merit and on how well they interpret or are inspired by the cover image for this issue, or the full image printed on page 28. Judges’ decisions will be final.

5. Stories may not have been previously published in any form.

6. The deadline for submissions is September 1, 2013, at midnight Eastern Time. Winners will be announced in the November/December issue of the magazine.

7. No one associated with the magazine by employment or by relation is eligible for participation in the contest. Freelance article authors are eligible.

8. By submitting an entry to the contest, you agree to have your essay published without compensation, should you be chosen by the judges as a winner.

For full prize and contest information, visit:

russianlife.com/fictioncontest