Jack London Park launches new writing contest

Jack London Park seeks ‘inspired by Charmian' fiction and will award cash prizes.|

Because of increasing interest in Charmian London, the Jack London State Historic Park is updating the House of Happy Walls with more focus upon the wife of the renowned author.

Known primarily as Mrs. Jack London, Charmian was also a published writer in her own right, as well as Jack’s collaborator, a photographer and a sea-loving adventurer. She was a lifelong social activist who worked for prison reform and animal rights. According to historians, she challenged conventional femininity through her dress, decor and private behavior.

As a result, she was first a celebrity in the United States, and later in Europe.

The Park is encouraging the community to share her creative life with others through the “Inspired by Charmian Kittredge London Writing Contest.” Adults 18 and older are invited to enter with original short fiction.

To learn more about Charmian, entrants can visit the London Cottage and see her bedroom, den and clothing; visit the new display at Happy Walls when it reopens this summer; read one of her books, “The Log of the Snark,” “Our Hawaii” or “The Book of Jack London”; or read published pieces about her.

Entry suggestions from the park staff include: pick a point in Charmian’s life when someone interviews her about some aspect of her life other than Jack London; imagine a conversation about her by her contemporaries, who are familiar with her public life, and respond to that image; write an article as though written by Charmian on how to raise a daughter to be independent; write a short story set in one of the locations where Charmian traveled; or write a short story with a strong female protagonist that encapsulates what it was like to be a woman in the early 1900s.

First place prize is $1,000, second place is $250 and third place is $100.

Winners will be recognized and asked to read their stories at the contest’s awards festival. Winning stories will be posted on the Jack London State Historic Park website along with an interview with the author.

The contest judges are Napa Valley College professor Iris Jamahl Dunkle, author of a manuscript on Charmian’s creative life, and Sonoma State professor emerita Clarice Stasz, author of two books on Charmian and her relationship with Jack London. The entry fee is $25-$35; deadline is Sept. 1. Send questions to dlarge@jacklondonpark.com.

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