Announcing the Winners of Bookshop's 16th Annual Short Story Contest:

First Place : "The Octopus" by Lauren Michelle Finkle

Second Place : "Laps" by Anna Montgomery Patton

Third Place: "No Whispering, No Secrets" by Ryan Masters

Thank you to everyone who submitted to this year's short story contest. We loved reading the creative stories from all of our local writing talent.

This year's winning stories are posted online (above), and the First Place winning story will be published in the Summer edition of our bi-annual newsletter, Readers. Tune in to Bruce Bratton's Universal Grapevine Program on KZSC 88.1FM on Tuesday evening, May 28th from 7:00-8:00 to hear this year's Short Story Contest winners read their winning stories on air.

For our annual Short Story Contest, Bookshop Santa Cruz looks for original fiction of no more than 1,200 words. We do not look for any particular theme or style—just some great writing. This is our chance to help showcase local talent!

FIRST PRIZE: $250 gift certificate, and publication in Readers (with a circulation of 12,000) and on our website.

SECOND PRIZE: $100 gift certificate

THIRD PRIZE: $50 gift certificate

The second- and third-place stories will be posted on Bookshop’s website. In addition, the top three winning authors will be invited to read their stories on Bruce Bratton’s Universal Grapevine radio program (Tuesdays 7:00–8:00pm, KZSC 88.1 FM).

Stay tuned or sign up for our emails for next year's contest!

 

You can read our winning stories from previous years' contests below.

2018 Winners

FIRST PLACE: $250 gift certificate, plus publication in our summer 2018 newsletter.
Nancy Hofman, "Maria's Grandfather"
Read it online!

SECOND PLACE: $100 gift certificate
Joanne Wright, "Escape"
Read it online!

THIRD PLACE: $50 gift certificate
Rose K. Murphy, "Something to Chew On"
Read it online!

2017 Winners

FIRST PLACE: $250 gift certificate, plus publication in our summer 2017 newsletter.
Ross Clifford, "Walking"
Read it online!

SECOND PLACE: $100 gift certificate
Joanne Wright, "Nice"
Read it online!

THIRD PLACE: $50 gift certificate
Paul Skenazy, "Self-Help"
Read it online!

2016 WINNERS

FIRST PLACE: $250 cash, $100 gift certificate, plus publication in our summer 2016 newsletter.
Lisa Ortiz, "The Future is a Silver Lake"
Read it online!

FIRST PLACE: $250 cash, $100 gift certificate, plus publication in our summer 2014 newsletter.
Clifford Henderson, "Pink"
Read it online!

SECOND PLACE: $75 gift certificate
Katariina Alongi, "Secret Formula"
Read it online!

THIRD PLACE: $50 gift certificate"
Elisa Fernandes-McDade, "The Quiet Began with a Panic"
Read it online!

2013 WINNERS

FIRST PLACE: $250 cash, $100 gift certificate, plus publication in our summer 2013 newsletter.
Katariina Alongi, "The Gardener"
Read it online!  

SECOND PLACE: $75 gift certificate
Breanna Eddy, "Among the Trees"
Read it online!
 
THIRD PLACE: $50 gift certificate"
Edward Weingold, "Trinity"
Read it online!

2012 WINNERS

FIRST PLACE: $250 cash, $100 gift certificate, plus publication in our summer 2012 newsletter.
Dee Kohanna Davis, "Green Dolphy"
Read it online!  

SECOND PLACE: $75 gift certificate
Cooper Gallegos, "The Scent of Lemons"
Read it online!
 
THIRD PLACE: $50 gift certificate"
Jeff Burt, "Marcellus Babineaux, Street Musician"
Read it online!

2011 WINNERS 

FIRST PLACE: $250 cash, $100 gift certificate, plus publication in our summer 2011 newsletter.
Jeff Burt, "Mrs. Linares’ Daughter" 
Read it online! 
 
SECOND PLACE: $75 gift certificate
Paul Skenazy, "Windmills"
Read it online!
 
THIRD PLACE: $50 gift certificate"
Vinnie Hansen, "Chinchillas"
Read it online!