1 . Winter 2024 Story Contest

OUR WINTER CONTEST is open to all fiction and nonfiction writers. Entries must be previously unpublished, no longer than 15,000 words, and must not have been previously chosen as a winner, finalist, or honorable mention in another contest.

Narrative winners and finalists have gone on to win Whiting Awards, the Pulitzer Prize, and the Atlantic prize, and have appeared in collections such as Best American Short Stories, Best American Non-required Reading and many others.

As always, we are looking for works with a strong narrative drive, characters we can respond to, and language, situation, and insight that are intense and total.

We welcome and look forward to reading your pages.

Awards: First Prize is $2,500, Second Prize is $1,000, Third Prize is $500, and up to ten finalists will receive $100 each. All entries will be considered for publication.

Submission Fee: There is a $27 fee for each entry. With your entry, you’ll receive three months of access to Narrative Backstage at no cost.

Timing: The contest closes on March 31,2024, at midnight, Pacific Standard Time.

Judging: The contest will be judged by the editors of the magazine. Winners and finalists will be announced to the public by April 30,2024. All writers who enter will be informed by email of the judges’ decisions, which will be final. Please make sure info@narrativemagazine.com is in your address book and your email settings permit messages from www.narrativemagazine.com.

Submission Guidelines: Please read our Submission Guidelines for contributions formatting and other information.

1. What is required of the entries?

A．They should be related to winter 2024.

B．They should be based on real-life events.

C．They should be submitted before April 30.

D．They should be limited to 15,000 words.

2. What will each of the participants get?

A．A copy of excellent narrative works.	B．Access to the Pulitzer Prize.
C．Free visits to Narrative Backstage.	D．A collection of winners’ works.

3. How can participants know the contest’s final results?

A．By entering the official website.	B．By checking an email.
C．By attending the awards ceremony.	D．By making a phone call.

3 . What will happen about the city center?

A．There will be more pollution.

B．There will be more bicycle tracks.

C．There will be more parking areas.

4 . Picking the right hotel for your trip is very important for tourists in Athens as it’s a fairly sprawling city with a lot of different neighborhoods to choose from. To help you choose, here’s my list of the best hotels in Athens:

A. Athens Center Square Hotel

In Plaka, this hotel has a minimalist design with welcoming pastel colors throughout, and most rooms have a view of the Acropolis (雅典卫城). Rooms are simple but decently sized, with flat-screen TVs, desks, mini fridges, air conditioning. The delicious buffet breakfast is complimentary and quite expansive, featuring Greek and American cuisine. There’s also free coffee and tea in the lobby all day long.

B. Athensdot

This newer property is in Psyrri, has a cool, pop-art design throughout, with large scale drawings on the walls and bright bursts of red everywhere. Rooms vary from internal rooms with no window to rooms with a balcony and views of the Acropolis. While there’s no breakfast served at the property, there’s a cute 24-hour café just a few doors down that serves food at all hours.

C. Coco-Mat Hotel

This design-forward 4-star hotel, run by the mattress company Coco-Mat, is in the heart of Kolonaki, a quiet neighborhood renowned for its upscale boutiques and art galleries. All rooms are equipped with high-quality mattresses, and you can even choose your pillow from a menu with 12 different pillow types. There’s a fantastic Greek breakfast buffet in the mornings.

D. Plaka Hotel

Comfortable and friendly, Plaka Hotel is (you guessed it) in the heart of Plaka. You’ll find the majority of ruins and tourist attractions here. This simply decorated hotel boasts the starry scenery of the Acropolis from both in-room balconies and the rooftop terrace bar/restaurant. There’s also a complimentary (and huge) buffet breakfast featuring local specialties.

1. Which one can provide a variety of pillows?

A．Athens Center Square Hotel.	B．Athensdot.
C．Coco-Mat Hotel.	D．Plaka Hotel.

2. All of the mentioned hotels serve local food EXCEPT         .

A．Athens Center Square Hotel	B．Athensdot
C．Coco-Mat Hotel	D．Plaka Hotel

3. If a photographer aims to take pictures of night scenes of the Acropolis, which one might she/he prefer?

A．Athens Center Square Hotel.	B．Athensdot.
C．Coco-Mat Hotel.	D．Plaka Hotel.

5 . How to Express Love

In the complex human relationships, understanding how to show love is important for individuals. There are several tips from Dr Gary Chapman’s bestselling book The Five Love Languages.

1. Say words of affirmation(肯定)

    1     The kind of language is about saying “I love you” in a heartfelt way, offering compliments( 赞 美 ), or providing words of encouragement. Don’t forget that there are various ways to express your admiration beyond “I love you;” you’d be surprised at the effects achieved by “You mean the world to me,” or “I am proud of you for trying your best.”

2. Do acts of service

Love isn’t just about letting honey-coated words leap from your lips; it’s about taking meaningful actions. Think of making breakfast, doing the dishes when they are tired or helping with house chores without being asked.     2    ; it’s the thoughtfulness behind these actions that matter. So, when you make their morning coffee or help     them with a challenging task, you’re showing love in action.

3. Send some gifts

For some, sending gifts is a way of saying “You’re special to me.”     3       Those who appreciate gifts       often value the thought and effort put into the gifts rather than the monetary value of the gift itself. A small, meaningful gift such as a handwritten letter, a bouquet of hand-plucked flowers or scrapbook can speak volumes about your love.

4.    4    

Quality time is about setting aside time for deep, meaningful interactions. This can be a heart-to-heart conversation, going for a long walk together or enjoying a quiet evening at home without the intrusion of phones or other distractions.    5    

By recognising and speaking these love languages, you will create deeper connections.

A．Share quality time.

B．Imagine being in a garden of compliments where words bloom like flowers.

C．Don’t assume that these gifts in question have to come with a big price tag.

D．The focus is on making every moment count and valuing their company.

E．To affirm others is a good way to begin a relationship.

F．Increase quality time.

G．It’s not merely about the tasks.

6 . Literary festivals all over the USA offer opportunities for readers to meet their favorite authors and learn about their new projects. You can start planning your next literary vacation!

Summer Words
Dates: June 19-22
Price: Free

It’s one of America’s most respected literary festivals and writing conferences. Authors are able to attend advanced workshops in order to improve the craft of writing. Besides, they can meet editors and literary agents and attend public panel discussions to gain inspiration and insight.

Book Bonanza
Dates: June 23-24
Price: $250

It is a celebration of books covering multiple styles and always nets a huge list of incredible author attendees. What makes it stand out, however, is not just its impressive list of attendees: it’s the charitable focus. All proceeds are donated to charitable causes, including those that benefit women and children.

Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
Dates: April 22-23
Price: Free, although indoor panels will require tickets

It is a massive celebration of books and the bookish community, with book signings, panel discussions with distinguished professors and experts, art performances and book giveaways. The two-day event has grown to become an essential element of the L.A. cultural scene.

Imaginarium Book Festival
Dates: May 20-21
Price: Free, but VIP tickets for early entry to signing rooms ($45), tickets for the brunch ($50)

It celebrates all things about fantasy and science fiction. In addition to panels where authors will answer your questions, you’ll get to meet and acquire signed books from your favorite authors and have the option of brunching with them at the cosmic (宇宙的) brunch buffet.

1. In which literary festival can you catch a show?

A．Summer Words.

B．Book Bonanza.

C．Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.

D．Imaginarium Book Festival.

2. What is special about Book Bonanza?

A．Its profits go to charity.

B．It’s meant for women and children.

C．It doesn’t charge admission fee.

D．It features workshops for notable writers.

3. What can you do in Imaginarium Book Festival?

A．Get an author-signed photograph.

B．Dine with your admiring writers.

C．Interact with science fiction supermen.

D．Obtain one-on-one reading training.

7 . Here are four cities that are great for winter travel.

Quebec City, Canada

Quebec City is one of the oldest cities in North America. In the winter, it is covered in a thick blanket of snow, creating beautiful winter scenery. Visitors can explore the Quebec City castle, the streets of the old town, and ancient churches. You can also try winter activities such as skiing, ice-skating, and dog-sledding.

Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki, the capital of Finland, turns into a fairy tale-like city in the winter. You can take a walk along the frozen coast of the Baltic Sea, visit St. Nicholas’ Anglican Church and the National Museum of Finland, and indulge in the pleasure of tasting candy and hot chocolate in warm cafes. Additionally, you can experience the wonders of the Arctic Circle nearby in Lapland, including chasing the northern lights, reindeer sledding, and visiting Santa Claus Village.

Innsbruck, Austria

Innsbruck is situated in the Alps and is a winter sports destination. The city is famous for its magnificent mountain scenery and world-class ski resorts. Visitors can enjoy the medieval architecture in the city center, ski at the Olympic ski resort, or watch ski jumping competitions at the ski jumping venue.

Lausanne, Switzerland

Lausanne is a city in the French-speaking region of Switzerland, located on the shores of Lake Geneva. The city boasts charming lake views and snow-capped mountain backgrounds, making it an ideal winter vacation destination. You can take a stroll along the lakeside promenade, visit the Olympic Museum, or sample Swiss cuisine such as chocolate and cheese fondue. Additionally, Lausanne has some famous ski resorts, such as Les Diablerets and Villars.

1. What can visitors do in Quebec City during the winter?

A．Visit the famous chocolate factory.

B．Explore Santa Claus Village.

C．Appreciate the old buildings.

D．Walking along the beautiful beach.

2. Which city will be the first choice if one wants to see the Arctic landscape?

A．Quebec City.

B．Helsinki.

C．Innsbruck.

D．Lausanne.

3. What do the last two cities have in common?

A．They have famous ski resorts.

B．They have world-famous museums.

C．They are located on the shores of lakes.

D．They are famous for the Olympic Games.

8 . Cynthia, 72, has worked as a flight attendant (空乘人员) for Southwest Airlines for almost 20 years. After her granddaughter Hannah, 24, graduated from college and wasn’t sure what to do except traveling, she eventually decided to follow in her grandmother’s footsteps and applied to Southwest. When Hannah got her acceptance notice, she was overjoyed and so was Cynthia.

Cynthia was present at Hannah’s flight attendant graduation in 2022. And behind the scenes, Cynthia was also trying to make sure she’d be on her granddaughter’s first Southwest flight. When Hannah saw her grandma on her first flight, she was very surprised. Working together for the first time was exciting for both of them. It was a long, multi-stop trip—the type Cynthia, with her years of seniority (资历) at the airline, usually avoids nowadays. She made an exception for Hannah.

When she was little, Hannah loved hearing her grandmother’s stories about her job, and had fond memories of flying with her grandmother during her summer vacation. But while Hannah always thought Cynthia’s job was amazing and exciting, she also saw the tough sides of flight attendants’ life. Often her grandmother would have to work on holidays and couldn’t take part in the family activities.

Cynthia also wanted to pass on wisdom to her granddaughter. She kept telling Hannah that flight attendants flew all the time, so everything was pretty simple and easy for them. Passengers sometimes just flew once a year and so flight attendants had to take it into consideration that they had to help these people, showing them the way, answering questions, and showing some enthusiasm.

Hannah says Cynthia brings this empathy (同理心) to every aspect of her life, and it has always inspired her. “That’s one thing that she has taught me—she’s just so sympathetic and so quick to help anyone. I see it when we’re working or outside of work. She really has the best heart,” says Hannah.

1. What did Cynthia keep secret from Hannah?

A．Holding a big celebration for Hannah.

B．Working together on Hannah’s first flight.

C．Planning a long, multi-stop trip for Hannah.

D．Asking other flight attendants to help Hannah.

2. What did Hannah think of flight attendants’ work?

A．It was easy and well-paid.

B．It brought lots of danger and uncertainty.

C．It was interesting all the time.

D．It sometimes meant missing family gatherings.

3. What does the underlined word “wisdom” in paragraph 4 refer to?

A．The flight attendants’ fortune to fly all the time.

B．Skills in dealing with co-workers during flights.

C．The concept of serving passengers wholeheartedly.

D．Emergencies flight attendants may meet.

4. What does Hannah learn from her grandmother?

A．Trying to cherish good memories of her flying.

B．Helping others anytime and anywhere.

C．Continuing working till the last minute.

D．Correcting every mistake in her flight job.

9 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式，并将答案填写在答题卡上。

The groundbreaking Shaoxing Opera     1     (adapt), New Dragon Gate Inn, appeals to a new generation and revitalizes (振兴) the ancient art form for contemporary lifestyles.

In a specially     2     (design) studio theater in Hangzhou, East China’s Zhejiang Province, a world of jianghu     3     (bring) to life by a traditional Shaoxing Opera performance last week. Six actresses delivered     4     excellent show, which lasted two hours and 10 minutes.

The audience sat very close to the performers,     5     (enjoy) a unique and fascinating viewing experience.

Upon leaving the theater, these audience members felt a sense of satisfaction that encouraged them     6    (share) short clips (片段) of the performance online.

Based on the 1992 classic martial arts film of the same name, the Shaoxing Opera presentation shows spectacular artistic skills,     7     (successful) catching the interest of a younger audience by combining traditional Chinese opera     8     modern theater models and dramatic concepts.

As the play has gained popularity, Chen Lijun,     9     plays the important supporting role of Jia Ting, has become a social media sensation (引起轰动的人). Nicknamed the “Jade-faced Man”, Jia’s     10     (attract) appearance and good stage presence have got more attention.

10 . The following are some markets which have become tourist attractions.

Wiener Christkindlmarkt, Austria

Known as Viennese Dream Christmas Market, Wiener Christkindlmarkt, or Rathausplatz, is one of the Austrian capital’s oldest and most traditional attractions. It has a 150-square-meter children’s ice rink (溜冰场). Tree of Hearts, a giant maple tree with hundreds of shinning red hearts, is a hot favorite with visitors to have a picture.

Open time: November 10 — December 26

Basel Christmas Market, Switzerland

Basel Christmas Market is divided into two different sections at Barfusserplatz and Munsterplatz. Family attractions include the Christmas fairy tale tree at Munsterplatz with activities such as gingerbread and candle decorating, a star workshop and a festive train.

Open time: November 23 — December 23

Strasbourg Christmas Market, France

One of Europe’s oldest Christmas markets, Strasbourg began back in 1570, drawing in over two million people every year. Place Klebe is probably its most popular place thanks to the great Christmas tree.

Open time: November 24 — December 24

Brussels Winter Wonders, Belgium

Brussels really comes to life at Christmas time thanks to Winter Wonders, which is more like a festival than a market. A light and sound show, ice skating, and pleasure ground rides are among the activities to enjoy, while visitors can also stare in wonder at the huge Christmas tree set up in Grand Place.

Open time: November 11 — December 31

1. What can visitors do at Rathausplatz?

A．Appreciate a sound show.	B．Enjoy a train ride in an ice rink.
C．Take photos with many red hearts.	D．Ride wooden horses in a playground.

2. What do the four Christmas markets have in common?

A．They have a great tree.	B．They own a good place for skating.
C．They hold various activities for tourists.	D．They are the oldest one in their own country.

3. Which market is open for the longest time?

A．Wiener ChristkindImarkt, Austria.	B．Brussels Winter Wonders, Belgium.
C．Basel Christmas Market, Switzerland.	D．Strasbourg Christmas Market, France.