LIGONIER VALLEY
WRITERS
2023 FLASH FICTION CONTEST WINNERS
First Prize Winner, Don Ellenberger of Stahlstown, PA, says, “My wife and I are blessed with two grown princesses and a prince. This is my first story. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!”
This year's topic, jack-o-lanterns, inspired our winning authors to unleash their talents for creating memorable characters.
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 thanks to our celebrity judge, Damian Dressick, as well as our first-round published author judges, April Serock, Judith Gallagher, and Ron Shafer.
Damian Dressick is a much-published author of flash and other fiction who has also taught flash fiction writing at the University of Pittsburgh and other universities. His flash fiction collection is called Fables of the Deconstruction (CLASH Books).
FIRST PLACE ($50 prize)
The Princess and the Jack-O-Lantern
By Don Ellenberger (Stahlstown, PA)
SECOND PLACE ($25 prize)
By Cricket Jean Baunoch (Indiana, PA)
THIRD PLACE ($15 prize)
By Lord My'k Podgor (Cleveland, OH)
HONORABLE MENTION
By Barbara Parker (Bradford, VA)
HONORABLE MENTION
By Dana Weber (Ligonier, PA)
HONORABLE MENTION
By Nicole Bradley (Ligonier, PA)
2022 FLASH FICTION CONTEST WINNERS
A girl on the cusp of puberty creates a vision of her mermaid sister so she can cope with the realities of her life. How does that work out? To find out, read the first-prize story in Ligonier Valley Writers' 17th annual Flash Fiction Contest.
This year's topic, mermaids, selkies, and other water dwellers, inspired our winning authors to unleash their talents for creating memorable water-dwelling characters.
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 thanks to our celebrity judge, Damian Dressick, as well as our first-round published author judges, Marge Burke, Linda Ciletti, and Ron Shafer.
Damian Dressick is a much-published author of flash and other fiction who has also taught flash fiction writing at the University of Pittsburgh and other universities. His flash fiction collection is called Fables of the Deconstruction (CLASH Books).
FIRST PLACE ($50 prize)
By Lindsay Flock (Conyngham, PA)
SECOND PLACE ($25 prize)
By Elizabeth Spragins (Fredericksburg VA)
THIRD PLACE ($15 prize)
By Helen Liptak (Hartsville, SC)
HONORABLE MENTION
Mermaid Gumbo: The House Specialty Served Steaming Hot
By John Frochio (New Brighton, PA)
HONORABLE MENTION
By Sharon A. Pruchnik (Windber, PA)
HONORABLE MENTION
By April Serock (Smithfield, PA)
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)
By Greg Beatty (Bellingham, WA)
SECOND PLACE ($25 prize)
By Barbara Purbaugh (Las Vegas, NV)
THIRD PLACE ($15 prize)
By JT Williams (Norolk, VA)
HONORABLE MENTION
By Ryan J. McBriar (Warren, PA)
HONORABLE MENTION
By Joe Potts (Greensburg, PA)
HONORABLE MENTION
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.
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)
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)
By Jessica Joy (Kent, United Kingdom)
HONORABLE MENTION
By Jeffrey T. Duda (Latrobe, PA)
HONORABLE MENTION
By Larry Ivkovich (Coraopolis, PA)
HONORABLE MENTION
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)
By Candace Kubinec (Greensburg, PA)
SECOND PLACE ($25 prize)
By Jim Busch (White Oak, PA)
THIRD PLACE ($15 prize)
The Subtle Refrain of Adulation
By Vicki Thomas (Johnstown, PA)
HONORABLE MENTION
By Jack Harris (Wisconsin)
HONORABLE MENTION
By Mike Podger (Cleveland, OH)
HONORABLE MENTION
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)
By Jeremiah Cook (Camp Hill, PA)
SECOND PLACE ($25 prize)
By Greg Beatty (Bellingham, WA)
THIRD PLACE ($15 prize)
By Mark Matzke (Painesville, OH)
HONORABLE MENTION
By Ryan McBriar (Warren, PA)
HONORABLE MENTION
By Alicia Stankay (Ambridge, PA)
HONORABLE MENTION
By Joe Potts (Harrison City, PA)
2017 FLASH FICTION CONTEST WINNERS
Theme: Haunted Objects
FIRST PLACE ($50 prize)
By Ryan McBriar (Pittsburgh, PA)
SECOND PLACE ($25 prize)
By Greg Beatty (Bellingham, WA)
THIRD PLACE ($15 prize)
By John A. Frochio (New Brighton, PA)
HONORABLE MENTION
By Cindy Bartolotta (Monongahela Valley, PA)
HONORABLE MENTION
By Alicia Stankay (New Brighton, PA)
HONORABLE MENTION
By Jamie Brian