The Century invites readers to submit first-person narratives (under 1,000 words) on the following topics:

Silence (Deadline: December 15, 2017)

Return (Deadline: February 15, 2018)

A selection of submissions will be published in the print or web magazine. Authors of the selected essays will receive $100 and a free one-year subscription to the magazine.

Send essays to contest@christiancentury.org.

This series is supported by a grant from the Frederick Buechner Center, which celebrates the work of the essayist, novelist, and pastor.