Bucks County Short Fiction Contest
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HS Short Fiction Contest
Short Fiction Contest 2022
FALL 2022 CONTEST
Submissions for the Fall 2022 contest is now closed. Submissions for the 2023 contest are to be announced.
2022 Winners
"Hotel Oklahoma"
Bob McCrillis
First place winner, Bob McCrillis of Doylestown.
Of “Hotel Oklahoma,” Montimore wrote, “A riveting story full of everyday people found in the center of a tense situation. The sharp dialogue, well-drawn descriptions, and high stakes offer both suspense and heart. Then there’s the fantastic ending, which packs a delightful, surprising punch.” McCrillis has used his retirement to focus on writing. He has published a novel and a short-story collection on Amazon, and has other projects in the works.
"Strawberry Moon"
Megan Monforte
Second place winner, Megan Monforte of Doylestown.
The judge lauded "Strawberry Moon" by remarking that the story is "…a beautiful meditation on grief, marriage, family, and mental illness. The vivid details and realistic dialogue make this story resonate with wistfulness and melancholy. This is something that could be expanded into a longer story or a novel." The story is part of a novel that Monforte is working on. She also took second place in last year's contest. She often writes about women's cultural roles as caretakes, and how women's marriage choices affect their contentment.
"Come Clean"
Jennifer Fritch
Third place winner, Jennifer Fritch of New Hope.
Montimore cited "Come Clean" by calling it "…an unexpected narrative with a fresh perspective—literally! Writing a short story about the secret lives of grocery store products, creating characters out of inanimate objects and imbuing them with emotional depth, takes imagination and skill." Fritch, a dedicated poet and writer of many years, says she was part of the pandemic's "Great Resignation," and recently left an executive post in corporate life, in order to focus on her writing. She has taken advanced fiction classes, and is considering pursuing a master's degree in creative writing.