Contest 2026
The contest is now closed. We will update this page with the winners in due time.
Theme: “Make Us Want to Read More” -- We asked for great opening lines/scenes in fiction and non-fiction (maximum 300 words) as well as the best in short(er) poetry (two pages or less).
Our Past Winners
The winners of our first biennial writing contest for 2024:
Fiction: E. J. McBride (San Fernando Valley) “End of the Road.” WINNER
Todd Whiteley (SJVW) “Eye of the Beholder” HONORABLE MENTION
D. L. LaRoche (South Bay) “Perfect Teeth” HONORABLE MENTION
Poetry: Melissa Huntington (Orange County) “A View of Tahiti” WINNER
Pamela Pan (SJVW) “Wonton Soup” HONORABLE MENTION
Click here to read the winning entries, "End of the Road" and "A View of Tahiti."
No award was given this year in the category of Memoir/Creative Nonfiction. All submissions were blinded and anonymously judged. The winning submissions are also available in our 2025 anthology.