We are thrilled to announce this year’s QSF flash fiction winners – the authors and stories that took home the top prizes. We’re also including a teaser from each one. Like what you read? Preorder a copy now:
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We also wanted to say that even if your story didn’t win )(and there are 309 that didn’t), this year’s batch was some of the most creative and well-written that we’ve received. We’re thrilled you took the time to be a part of it, and hope you will try again next year.
So without further ado:
Stagecoach Mary Versus the Ghost of Cascade
Jess Nevins
Stagecoach Mary Fields, orneriest woman in Montana, stands in a parched creek bed staring murderously at the ghost who’s frozen to death five good women in Cascade. Cascade is under Mary’s protection, and the killings pain her deeply. So, she strapped on her best peacemakers and went hunting. And now here they both are…
The Star Beast
Sacchi Green
Five moons’ trek from the small tribe’s dying, drying homeland, they lowered their Elder into the earth, strewn with a scant few flowers by weeping Rel, the youngest. Nes, She Who Remembers, lay head toward the north; often she had watched the great Star Beast in the northern sky. Nes, the Elder who had blessed Tek’s two spirits, etching into their skin tribal memories passed down over generations. Among them was that star beast…
Ruti’s Prayer
Lloyd A. Meeker
Again Arum had not visited, let alone answered. Ruti’s gift had been inadequate to attract the god as he passed by. Even though he was only an apprentice shaman, Ruti knew he’d felt Arum pass—the birds had stopped singing, and the breeze scampered through his wattle house as if the walls were made of bushes scrawny as his arms…
CONGRATS EVERYONE! How exciting!