Annual Short Story Contest

Congratulations to the winners of the 2018 Short Story Contest! You can read the winning stories via the links below.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year's Short Story Contest! We look forward to reading more of the stories from our local talent next year.

Bookshop Santa Cruz sponsors an annual short story contest to showcase our local talent. 

The winning story is published in our Summer Newsletter, with a circulation of more than 12,000 readers, and on our website. The second and third place stories are posted in the store and on our website. In addition, the top three winning authors will be invited to read their stories on Bruce Bratton's Universal Grapevine radio program (Tuesdays 7:00-8:00 pm, KZSC 88.1 FM). First place is awarded a $250 Bookshop gift certificate. Second- and third-place gift certificates are also awarded.

Submissions for next year's Short Story Contest will open with the publication of our Winter Newsletter, released in October, with submissions due by the following February. This page will be updated at that point with the Entry Rules for next year's contest.You can read our current winning stories above, or read winning stories from previous years' contests below.

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 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!

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!