Rigel Results

Rigel is the brightest star in the Orion constellation, and the results of Sunspot Lit’s Rigel contest singled out exceptional art and prose. Congratulations to everyone who made it to the top tier, listed on Sunspot’s website here and below.  

Winner

“Bean Soup, or Lessons in Time” by C. Adan Cabrera, Prose

Runners-up

“Facing It Together” by Jack Bordnick, art

“Although a Superb Dancer, Marjorie Preferred Smoking” by Dave Sims, art

Finalists

“Eva” by Alan Sincic, short story

“The City of Dreams” by Ainhoa Palacios, fiction

“The Hermit of Ilswher” by Mike MacDee, comic book

“The Coast” by Vernon Shipway, art

“Hija” by Paula Camacho, art

We encourage individuals who made the semifinalist, quarterfinalist, and long list to consider submitting to our current open call. You may enter the same version or perform revisions before submitting here.

Beginnings have the power to spark passion or curiosity. They might immediately connect a specific place and time with an emotional tone. The best openings offer a feeling, atmosphere, action, or image that is gripping, and that hints at more to come.

Meaning, thoughtfulness, emotions, or shadings of tone … that is, connection … are the impulses that draw audiences into the moment. A poem handles this differently than a flash piece, which handles an opening differently than a novel. The first photo, painting or frame presented in a gallery, series, or graphic novel strives for the same intent. Openings contain a spark that promises to burn. 

For Sunspot Lit’s 2021 Inception contest, send your best opening. There are no restrictions on theme, category, or the length of the piece or collection from which the beginning comes. Word limit is 250 for prose, 25 words for poetry.

Graphic novel and comic book entries should be the first page (unlimited number of panels on that page) with a maximum of 250 words (cut the number of panels in order to meet the word count, if needed). Visual art entries should be the first in a series, the first in a gallery lineup, the first photo in a themed collection, etc. Entries are limited to one image with up to 250 words to describe the series, lineup or collection.

Open: July 1, 2021 (submit here)

Close: September 30, 2021

Entry fee: $10

Prize: $500 cash, publication for the winner, publication offered to runners-up and finalists.

In addition to receiving the cash prize, the winner will be published. Select finalists will have the chance to be published. Sunspot asks for first rights only; all rights revert to the contributor after publication. Works, along with the creators’ bylines, are published in the next quarterly digital edition an average of one month after contest completion as well as the annual fall print edition. 

Works should be unpublished except on a personal blog or website. Artists offered publication may display their pieces in galleries, festivals or shows throughout the publication contract period.  

Enter as many times as you like through Submittable, but only one piece per submission. Simultaneous submissions are accepted, but please withdraw your piece if it is published elsewhere before the winner is selected.