Our Twitter-obsessed nation would do well to learn a lesson from the writers of micro-fiction before tweeting what was served for dinner for the umpteen-billionth time. These wordsmiths craft narratives that top out at 500 words, leaving little room for the mundane, so the author must choose words carefully and trust the reader to fill in the unwritten blanks. Tonight at 7 p.m., River Styx magazine's Schlafly Beer Micro-Brew Micro-Fiction Event returns to the Schlafly Tap Room (2100 Locust Street; www.riverstyx.org) to award this year's winning author the $1,500 prize (that's a bare minimum of $3 a word: ifs, ands or buts included!) and a case of beer. The prize-winning author and other top contenders will read their entries, and all attendees are encouraged to submit a 25-word or less nanofiction story to compete for a six-pack of Schlafly's finest. Jazz combo Silk Pajamas will also perform. Admission is $3.
Mon., March 7, 2011