Short Story Dispenser
You can get a story on demand at the Short Story Dispenser at Boardman Road Branch Library. Collections include a mix of short fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and even comics! The machine selects a story at random, and prints it instantly for you using eco-friendly paper. Even though there is a library full of books, this is a fun way to get stories delivered straight to your hands.
The collection is curated by Short Edition, the manufacturer of the Short Story machines, and the Poughkeepsie Public Library District. You are encouraged to contribute your stories to add to the collection. Work that is appropriate for adults, children, or teens is requested and may be edited for grammar and spelling. You will need to make an account to submit.
Stories are not to exceed 8000 characters, spaces included (that’s around 1500 words).
Authors can submit original (read: no AI or borrowed content) stories, poems, and other writings. Stories can be of any genre (e.g. fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, etc).
Comic artists and other artists can submit original works (read: no AI or borrowed content).
Specs for comics and illustrations
- Submissions must be black and white, with no more than one mid-tone shade of gray. The mid-tone gray should be 30-40% solid gray. If you are unsure your gray will be visible or solid, stick to black and white. Pens, solid markers, solid ink tones, and digital illustrations have the best print quality.
- File must be JPG/JPEG/PNG with a minimum resolution of 175 dpi, and not exceed 6mb.
- The preferred resolution is 300 dpi with a maximum pixel dimensions of 800 by 12,000.
- Images printed by the short story dispenser will not exceed 7 cm wide x 100 cm long (2.75” x 39.25”).
- Comic strips must be vertical rather than horizontal and uploaded as a single file.
Author information
Authors shall submit their work using a Short Édition account that they will need to create. The author should clearly indicate how they would like to be credited for their work. This name will appear next to the title of their story.
The copyright of the work shall remain with the author. The author agrees and acknowledges that in the specific case of submissions sent via this submission portal, publication, and distribution of their work shall not result in the payment of royalties from either Short Édition or Poughkeepsie Public Library.
By submitting a story, you are agreeing to these Terms and Conditions.
Are you an educator in the City or Town of Poughkeepsie? The Library District is excited to offer a portable Story Cube! View the curriculum guide that Short Edition has put together!
Contact Yvonne Laube at (845) 485-3445 x3382 to collaborate on a special program with your class.