2021 FLASH FICTION CONTEST WINNERS

A twin walks into a bar, where she meets a man who is also a twin. They get into an intense discussion about how good twins can get rid of their evil twins. Who (if anyone) is telling the truth?

Find out by reading our 2021 Flash Fiction Winners.

This year's topic, evil twins, inspired our winning authors to unleash their talents for creating memorable characters and to question not just identity but reality itself. Several of our authors are repeat winners. In fact, our first-prize winner, Greg Beatty, has won prizes in this contest five times since 2008. He’s about to publish a collection of his flash fiction.

All six of the winning authors received a complimentary one-year membership in Ligonier Valley Writers, a professional edit of their stories and publication at the LVW website. The first, second, and third place winners will also receive cash prizes.

Our celebrity judge this year was Damian Dressick, a much-published author of flash and other fiction who has also taught flash fiction writing at Pitt and other universities. Damian says the first-place story, “Drako,” is "a delightfully wicked little gem that enchants as it surprises." Heather Rath, the author of “Drako,” said, “I’m entering your LVW contest with hope and a healthy dash of reptilian blood.”

FIRST PLACE ($50 prize)

The Dance of the Evil Twins

By Greg Beatty (Bellingham, WA)

SECOND PLACE ($25 prize)

You Flinched

By Barbara Purbaugh (Las Vegas, NV)

THIRD PLACE ($15 prize)

Boxed Set

By JT Williams (Norolk, VA)

HONORABLE MENTION

Reverse Perspective

By Ryan J. McBriar (Warren, PA)

HONORABLE MENTION

Double Play

By Joe Potts (Greensburg, PA)

HONORABLE MENTION

Mirror, Mirror

By Sharon A. Pruchnik (Windber, PA)

2020 FLASH FICTION CONTEST WINNERS

A teenage boy who is dying for a pet is allergic to fur, but his parents refuse to let a reptile into the house. What will he do?

Find out by reading our 2020 Flash Fiction Winners.

This year's topic is snakes and other reptiles. It inspired our winning authors to journey to the past and the future and bring back stories of heroes and villains, of magic and mayhem. The contest had an international flavor this year: The first-place winner is from Canada and the third-place winner from the United Kingdom.

FIRST PLACE ($50 prize)

Drako

By Heather Rath (Ontario, Canada)

SECOND PLACE ($25 prize)

The Snake Was Always Just an Excuse

By Greg Beatty (Bellingham, WA)

THIRD PLACE ($15 prize)

Coiled

By Jessica Joy (Kent, United Kingdom)

HONORABLE MENTION

Reed Snakes

By Jeffrey T. Duda (Latrobe, PA)

HONORABLE MENTION

A Salvation of Dragons

By Larry Ivkovich (Coraopolis, PA)

HONORABLE MENTION

Kindred Spirits

By Barbara Purbaugh (South Bend, IN)

2019 FLASH FICTION CONTEST WINNERS

An eminently practical woman finds that a gossamer-winged,

magic-wielding fairy has invaded her home. How will she cope?

Find out by reading our 2019 Flash Fiction Winners.

This year's topic is fairies and/or elves. Several of the winning entries come from authors who have entered the contest in the past, showing that practice makes perfect.

All the winning authors received a complimentary one-year membership in the 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 received cash prizes.

Our celebrity judge this year was Damian Dressick, a much-published author of flash and other fiction who has also taught flash fiction writing at Pitt and other universities. Damian says, "Although many of the stories offered readers glimpses of surprising and sometimes sinister worlds, 'The Fairy Affair' wraps its mischief in delightful humor and provides readers with a complete story in less than 1,000 words."

FIRST PLACE ($50 prize)

The Fairy Affair

By Candace Kubinec (Greensburg, PA)

SECOND PLACE ($25 prize)

Elf Reliance

By Jim Busch (White Oak, PA)

THIRD PLACE ($15 prize)

The Subtle Refrain of Adulation

By Vicki Thomas (Johnstown, PA)

HONORABLE MENTION

Splitrock

By Jack Harris (Wisconsin)

HONORABLE MENTION

A Simple Errand

By Mike Podger (Cleveland, OH)

HONORABLE MENTION

No One's Child

By Barbara Purbaugh (South Bend, IN)

2018 FLASH FICTION CONTEST WINNERS

A cemetery worker digs up a girl who died too young.

A creature steps out of the forest toward the body.

What could go wrong?

We found out at a performance of the stories that won Ligonier Valley Writers' 2018 Flash Fiction Contest. The year's topic was Bigfoot, Littlefoot, and other cryptozoological creatures of indeterminate foot size. It inspired the winning authors to let their imaginations run wild. Several of the winning entries come from authors who have entered the contest in the past, showing that practice makes perfect.

All the winning authors received a complimentary one-year membership in the Ligonier Valley Writers. The first, second, and third place winners also received cash prizes.

FIRST PLACE ($50 prize)

Feeding Time

By Jeremiah Cook (Camp Hill, PA)

SECOND PLACE ($25 prize)

SWBF

By Greg Beatty (Bellingham, WA)

THIRD PLACE ($15 prize)

Class A Sighting

By Mark Matzke (Painesville, OH)

HONORABLE MENTION

First Outing

By Ryan McBriar (Warren, PA)