The Rules of the Game and Other Stories: XVIII International Short Story Competition on University Life

The University of Córdoba International Short Story Competition is now in its eighteenth year and has firmly established itself as a benchmark of the university’s commitment to books, reading, and literary creation. Open to anyone who wishes to participate, its international scope ensures that each year the competition receives numerous submissions from a wide range of countries.

The competition features two categories—junior and senior—making it an ideal platform for nurturing the literary interests of writers of all ages and for supporting a variety of new initiatives.

This volume brings together the winning and runner‑up stories from the eighteenth edition in both categories. Together, these stories offer a multifaceted portrait of university life through dynamic and imaginative narratives, providing readers with a broad, accessible, and thoroughly enjoyable literary experience.