Scene Changes

Hello forumites,

Currently in my short story for Q2, vol. 37, I have named my scene changes as book chapters.
What is the proper format for the contest entries?
Do I take out the chapter names or leave them in?
Do I separate the scene changes with a pound sign?

There is no standard format in this regard, although short stories are generally less in need of chapters. Either of the options listed above is appropriate so long as it doesn't detract from the flow of the story.

Whatever you think works best for the particular story.

Scene changes are usually separated with a centred hash or three asterisks, which I'd still use even if each scene is titled.

Here's a related super secret: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=7600&start=210#p88815

I wouldn't go out of your way to add chapter headings because they can sound cute or forced. Chapter headings are kind of like adverbs. Always consider whether it works better without them
A short story where chapters work well is https://uncannymagazine.com/article/a-y ... theradane/

I think they did in this case because:
* the plot proceeded in recognizable sections (different attempts at solving a problem) that could be named easily
* The chapter heading were kind of cute but added levity. The story was already written with that tone.

Also it's common to use a # to represent all empty lines in a story manuscript. The reason they are used for scene breaks is that most stories only empty lines are scene breaks (That's what I think Alex was alluding to when he said to use # even if scenes are titled.)

Thank you all. Your input is very helpful.