What makes small towns unique?
We like this list compiled in 1994 by Professor Terry Besser of Iowa State University:

"Many of the unique features about Iowa...are really not so unusual. They are common in small towns throughout much of the United States. The reason most Iowans can identify with them is that the majority of Iowans still live in or around small towns. Almost 75 percent of Iowans live in small or medium sized towns (less than 50,000 people), on farms, or in rural areas."

"Calling someone a farmer is a compliment.
Most people know the names of the children in their neighborhood, the names of their parents and grandparents, the names of the children's first cousins, the names of the children's mothers' third cousins.
Pickups are more common than foreign cars.
The tallest building in town is the grain elevator (the second is a church).
Every conversation begins with a discussion of the weather.
News broadcasts contain the current prices of corn and beans.
Potlucks and high school football games are major social events.
You can run a tab at the grocery store.
The cashier in the grocery store holds your baby while you write a check.
Everyone in town knows who bought a new car, how much he or she paid for it, how much was allowed on the trade-in of the old car and which salesperson sold it.
Every salad starts with a package of Jell-O.
People leave their cars running outside Casey's while they go inside to buy milk..and their cars are still there when they come out.
Diversity means having a mixture of people of German and Norwegian descent.
People don't just talk about the importance of education. (Iowa consistely ranks in the top five states in high school graduation rates, ACT scores and adult literacy rates.)"

A small town can be defined by either population or sensibility. The 2000 US Census takers defined a small town as having a population of 10,000 or less. Communities of all sizes are defined by their civic pride and volunteer organizations. Residents take faith-based community action, recognize their historic buildings, participate in town meetings, and use their coffee shops, churches and barbershops as informal gathering places to socialize and to galvanize each other to act. We at Small Town USA define these places as small towns!

Where are the small towns your readers come from?
Small towns are all across the United States, even in places you might not think. Check our Small Town Links page for links to websites from our readers and our writers.

I know a great story that didn't really happen. May I send it to you?
Please do. We accept fiction stories for consideration.

I know a great story that didn't really happen to me. May I send it to you?
Yes, please do. You can send it with an acknowledgement if you would like to list the person who told the story to you (i.e. by Granny Smith as told by Jane Smith).

May I send you a story that hasn't been published?
Absolutely. We welcome stories that have not yet been published. We hear lots of wonderful stories that people tell each other that we wish we could read long after they have been told! Please see Story Guidelines and Share Your Stories for more information.

May I send you a story that has already been published?
Yes, we include selected previously published stories that touch our readers. Make sure you include the author's name and publication if you submit a previously published story.

May I send you a story that I am also sending to other publishers to be considered?
Yes, simultaneous submissions are accepted.