CONGRATULATIONS to Ann Pino whose story, “Salvation,” placed  FIRST in the String-of-10 Flash Fiction Contest TWO sponsored by Flash Fiction Chronicles  and Every Day Fiction.   Ann’s story will be published in April at Every Day Fiction.  John and Brittany’s stories will be published in April at Flash Fiction Chronicles.  Exact publications dates to follow. 

JOEL WILLANS, nominated for the Pushcart Prize and winner of the Yeovil Prize and Global Short Story Award,  has graciously served as our guest judge for this contest and offers the comments below about the top three stories.

 

First Place 

Salvation by Ann Pino

A great story needs great characters and Salvation  has two. I loved the build up to the confrontation, and the implied sexual tension between the gun wielding Vince and his bible bashing beauty. The resolution is fantastic. When religious fervor comes up against animal magnetism, there’s only ever going to be one winner.

Second Place

Gypsy Flour by John Towler

I really enjoyed the way this story played with our preconceptions. Beginning with the title, the reader is challenged to look at the world differently. It has a fable like quality that makes it a magical read. Like all good stories, it stuck in my mind and made me question my own beliefs.

 Third Place

Good Morning Susan by Brittany Soder

I was gripped by this story from the very first line. By the end of the first paragraph I felt for Susan. By the end of the fourth paragraph I hated her mother.  The conflict, while understated, is intense. The final sentence left me with a long, lingering ache.

 

 Honorable Mentions

Spotting a Zebra at Night by Kyle Hemmings

 Speaking the Lost Language by Deborah Walker

 Learning Survival by Christina Louine

 The Old Man and the Devil by AJ Brown

 

Other Finalists in No Particular Order

  • Night Train by John C. Mannone
  • Heat of Passion by Kathleen A. Ryan
  • News Item by Stan Long
  • Trash Night by Beth Cato
  • Comfort Food by Marian Wood
  • What Struggle to Escape by Randall Brown
  • Murphy’s Law by Tanya L. Schofield
  • I am Clipped by Jacob Bellinger
  • Never Seen Anything So Raw by Melanie Payne

 

PRIZES

BOEDFtwo1st Place: Winner will have his or her story published at Every Day Fiction in April 1010 and be paid the standard payment of $3.00 per story.   A copy of The Best of Every Day Fiction TWO along with a copy of Pomegranate Stories by Gay Degani, the editor of Flash Fiction Chronicles  will also be awarded as well as an “I Write Every Day” t-shirt.

2nd and 3rd Place: Winners will have their stories published at Flash Fiction Chronicles in April.  (NOTE:There is no payment for publication at Flash Fiction Chronicles.)  A copy of The Best of Every Day Fiction TWO along with a copy of Pomegranate Stories by Gay Degani, the editor of Flash Fiction Chronicles  will also be awarded to both 2nd and 3rd place winners.