Ligonier Valley Writers Announces

Winners of 2025 Flash Fiction Contest

The Dark or Light Side of AI and/or Robots

 

LVW is pleased to announce the winning stories and authors of its 20th annual flash fiction contest.

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First Prize: “RoboHub H2” by Chris Cottom of Macclesfield, UK

​Second Prize: “The Doer” by Don Ellenberger of  Mars and Ligonier, PA

​Third Prize: “Law & Order: AI Division” by Jim Busch of White Oak, PA 

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Three Honorable Mentions (alphabetical by author).

​“Annotations of Solitude” by Sean Cho A. of the southern United States

“Hi, How Can I Help You Today?” by L.M. Burnes of Minneapolis, MN

​“Lights Out” by Anna Stegeman of Lewistown, PA

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​​Congratulations to all six of these talented authors!

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All six receive a complimentary one-year membership to Ligonier Valley Writers, a professional edit of their stories, publication at the LVW website, and a chance to perform their winning story aloud. The first, second, and third place winners also receive cash prizes.

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We received entries from 18 states and 14 other countries, from Italy to Uzbekistan, from India to Mozambique.

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Our thanks to Louisa Fordyce and Rod Cross for helping us judge the 20th annual flash fiction contest. Their expertise and dedication ensured that the ten most entertaining and thought-provoking stories were sent to our celebrity judge, Damian Dressick, for the final selections. He is the author of the flash fiction collection Fables of the Deconstruction. 

 

Damian says of the first-place story, "Chris Cottom’s ‘RoboHub H2’ uses sly humor to address the very real problem of making human connections in a world that seems to be working very hard to enable everything but. As funny as it is quick, RoboHub H2 will bring a smile to your lips, likely followed by a look of concern."

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Up Next for Ligonier Valley Writers

Sunday, December 14, 3:00-5:00 p.m. Annual LVW Christmas Party. St. Michael’s Church, Rector. We’ll have a delicious potluck meal and socializing, followed by readings by any attendees who volunteer. Some people read from their own work; others choose to read holiday passages from their favorite authors.

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We’re approaching the end of LVW’s membership year (the calendar year). Anyone who joins or renews their membership from here on will be a member through 2026 and receive discounts on events. Dues are still only $30 a year. A 2026 membership application is attached. Make out your check to “Ligonier Valley Writers” and send it to LVW at PO Box B, Ligonier, PA 15658.

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Please help us grow our membership. The more members we have, the more events we can provide. 

Ligonier Valley Writers is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that has been serving writers and readers throughout western Pennsylvania since 1986. LVW offers talks, workshops, publications, and writing contests.

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