Flash Fiction

As Halloween approaches, it’s time once again for the Ligonier Valley Writers to perform the winning stories in the seventh annual Flash Fiction Contest. Be sure to catch this free event, offered at two venues:

Hanna’s Town on Saturday, October 22, beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Red Barn Books, Greensburg, on Saturday, October 29, beginning at 7:00 p.m.

The Hanna’s Town reading will take place at the Klingensmith House at 809 Forbes Trail Road in Hempfield. Afterward, Mary Ann Mogus and Ed Kelemen, authors of The Haunted Foothills (a collection of local ghost stories), will autograph their book. You do not need reservations for the story readings or autographing, but you do need reservations if you want to join us for lunch beginning at noon. Box lunches for adults are $4 and for children $2. For more information, email Lisa@starofthewest.org.

Red Barn Books is at 203 Old Route 30 near Westmoreland Mall. For more information or directions, visit www.redbarnbooks.com or call (724) 219-3001. No reservations are needed.

The judging for this year's Flash Fiction Contest was challenging due to the sheer number of entries. Short-short stories were received from all over the United States and as far away as India. First prize earned $50, second prize $25, and third prize $15. Additionally, three stories were awarded honorable mentions. Those authors will each receive $10 gift certificates donated by Red Barn Books.

First Place: “A Venomous Plan” by Ciel Kessler of Greensburg, PA

Second Place: “Buried Treasure” by Naomi Bergner of Cocoa, FL

Third Place: “Bullet 25” by Bill Kemp of Penn Hills, PA

Honorable Mentions:

"Grave Robbers” by Chris Sandusky of North Olmsted, OH

“Old Legends Never Die” by Mary Ann Back of Mason, OH

“Missing and Presumed Dead” by Barbara Purbaugh of Somerset, PA

For more information about the Flash Fiction Contest and readings, contact Ed Kelemen at (724) 235-9399 or ed.kel@verizon.net. This year, in honor of LVW’s 25th anniversary, each story had to be set in a cemetery or other burial place and each had to include the words twenty-five, anniversary, and silver somewhere in the story.

If you have suggestions for the theme of next year's contest, drop Ed a line. Previous themes have included ghosts, vampires, and zombies.

Winners Are Announced

First Place: "Witch Is Best" by April Serock of Masontown, PA.

Second Place: "Snap" by Ronald Murphy of Indiana, PA

Third Place: "Duplicity" by Colleen Reynolds of Trafford, PA

First Honorable Mention: "New Neighbors" by Joe F. Stierheim of Ligonier, PA

Second Honorable Mention: "Twisted Trail" by Alicia Stankay of Ambridge, PA

Third Honorable Mention: "Leatherleaf" by Marcia A. Sherman of Sewell, NJ

This year's Halloween-themed topic was Witches, Warlocks, and Wizards. The contest included dozens of entries from all of the United States and Europe. The first-place winner receives a cash prize of $50, second place $25, and third place $15. All winners also receive a complimentary one-year membership in the Ligonier Valley Writers. In addition, all winning entries will be published at www.LVWonline.org.

"Even though the judging was done using a triple-blind system, five of the six winners were from western Pennsylvania this year. I guess it says something about the quality of writers we have around here," said Ed Kelemen, the contest organizer. "Congratulations to all the winners!"