The Atlantic Copper Foundation has opened registration for the ninth edition of its literary competition , "Speaking in Copper ," an initiative that aims to bring the importance of this strategic material closer to the public through creativity. The main change this year is that the competition is moving away from the short story format and towards microfiction , with texts of between 250 and 500 words. The objective remains the same: to highlight the role of copper and its alloys in areas such as daily life, technological innovation, renewable energy, sustainable mobility, and digital transformation.
After eight editions dedicated to short stories, the organization has decided to update the rules to adapt to a shorter, more agile format . As explained in a press release, participants must submit original, unpublished stories written in Spanish. Copper or its alloys must appear in the text, although they do not need to play a central role. The president of the Atlantic Copper Foundation, Heliodoro Mariscal , stated that this new edition aims to "continue bringing copper closer to society from a creative and participatory perspective, demonstrating that a material so present in our lives can also be a source of inspiration for literary creation."
Requirements and deadline for participation
Anyone over 18 years of age, of Spanish nationality or legal residents in Spain, may participate, provided they submit a single original and unpublished work. Those who have won any prize in previous editions of the competition are not eligible. Only one microfiction piece per participant will be accepted ; if multiple entries are received, only the last one received within the established deadline will be considered valid. Entries must be submitted under a pseudonym and using the sealed envelope system, following the instructions outlined in the competition rules. Documentation must be sent both by email and by registered mail or courier service that allows proof of the posting date. The submission period will be open from July 15 to September 15, 2026.
Awards and selection process
The competition offers a first prize of €2.000 , a second prize of €1.500, and a third prize of €1.000. The jury may also award one or more honorable mentions or declare the prizes void if it deems it appropriate. Once the submission period has ended, the jury will select a maximum of ten finalist micro-stories, from which the winning entries will be chosen. The results will be announced before December 31, 2026 , and will be communicated to the participants and publicized through the Atlantic Copper Foundation's channels, its website, and the media. Literary quality and originality will be the main criteria for evaluating the entries, which must be able to convey the importance of copper to the public from a creative and informative perspective.
In short, the ninth edition of 'Speaking in Copper' opts for a shorter, more direct format, while maintaining the spirit of previous editions. With registration open throughout the summer and prizes totaling €4.500, the initiative aims to continue promoting knowledge about a key material for electrification, renewable energy, and digital transformation, all through literature and the imagination of the participants.