MIRANDA 326
International Short short Story Open Call · 326 words
Open March 28 — July 14, 2026
Inspiration
Francisco de Miranda, Venezuela's most universal son, was born in Caracas on March 28, 1750. He fought in three revolutions — including American independence in 1781 — crossed three continents, and made Venezuela a universal cause before Venezuela existed as a nation. History remembers him as the "Illustrious" and the "Precursor" of Spanish American independence.
Miranda was a visionary who chose to dedicate his life to the freedom of America. His work and his example are fundamental to understanding the struggle for independence.
Miranda nurtured himself through insatiable curiosity, military discipline, and an extraordinary talent for understanding the world and moving through it. He spoke several languages. He fought under three flags before raising his own — the tricolor flag he himself designed.
He met with George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Thomas Jefferson. He debated with Thomas Paine. He was acquainted with Catherine the Great and Napoleon. His name is engraved on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
He was a passionate advocate for women's education — publishing his call for it a full year before Mary Wollstonecraft published her famous Vindication.
He was a tireless creator in exile. He built the Colombeia — a monumental archive of letters, diaries, and documents that was, at once, his memory and his life's work.
He assembled a library of thousands of volumes. He understood that creating from afar is not a limitation. It is a way of seeing. He accumulated world without accumulating power. And from that world, he dreamed of a free and united America.
Miranda left us a clear lesson: freedom is defended with conviction, courage, and commitment to the Homeland. That is why, today more than ever, we vindicate his thinking and honor his legacy.
In 2026, the United States marks 250 years since its independence — a revolution Miranda helped fight. This year, with Operation Absolute Resolve, that history crossed borders into Venezuela again.
This call is not only for Venezuelans. It is for any writer who wants to reflect on what happened on January 3, 2026, and what has continued to unfold — from wherever they experienced it, and from wherever they write.
On March 28, 2026 — 276 years after his birth — Saludos Connection opens this call. We close it on July 14, the anniversary of his death.
Tell Miranda — in 326 words — how you see the world after January 3, 2026.
One story, 326 words. 1/3/26. The date written into the limit.
Rules
Organizer Saludos Connection, Houston, Texas.
Eligibility Open to writers of any nationality and age who write in Spanish or English.
Theme While the theme is open, stories should take as their reference point what happened in Venezuela on January 3, 2026, with Operation Absolute Resolve, its impact, and what has continued to unfold.
Word Count Maximum 326 words. One story per participant.
Language Stories may be submitted in Spanish or English. All stories compete in a single unified category.
Originality Stories must be original, unpublished, and solely authored by the submitter. Works previously awarded in other contests or published in any form will not be accepted.
Disqualification Stories that do not meet these rules will be disqualified before reaching the jury.
Submission Through this form.
Opens March 28, 2026
Closes July 14, 2026 at 11:59 PM (CST)
Results September 15, 2026, opening day of Hispanic Heritage Month
Jury International jury of writers and academics appointed by Saludos Connection, in collaboration with Literal Magazine. Stories are evaluated anonymously. The jury's decision is final.
Prize The winning story receives $1,000 USD.
Publication Selected stories will be published in an anthology in both print and digital formats. Each selected author will receive one physical copy of the anthology.
Rights By participating, the author grants Saludos Connection exclusive publication rights for the story in the anthology for a period of 5 years from the publication date. In the event of a future reprint, Saludos Connection will request the author's authorization again. The author retains all other rights to their work.
Communications All official communications will be conducted in both Spanish and English.
Acceptance Participation implies full acceptance of these rules.
