I am thrilled to be putting this issue in your hands. It is, as ever, a collection of singular short stories that celebrate the form and highlight its range, but it is also a gift at the end of a turbulent year—work to get lost in, work to be found in, work that in its celebration of emerging writers, and Black emerging writers in particular, encourages us to imagine everything that is yet to come: all of the chances we’ll have to see more brilliant work by the writers included here, none of … [Read more...] about Issue 72 Editor’s Note
The 2020 Halifax Ranch Fiction Prize Winners
We are delighted to announce that our brilliant judge, Manuel Gonzales, has selected the winners of this year's The Halifax Ranch Fiction Prize. We consider it our privilege to have spent time with so many terrific submissions—thank you for giving us the opportunity to read your work! Winner: Cassandra Garbus for “Hillside Homes” Of Garbus' story, Gonzales writes, "It's difficult to articulate what I find so striking and compelling about 'Hillside Homes,' but I have read it more than a … [Read more...] about The 2020 Halifax Ranch Fiction Prize Winners
2020 American Short(er) Fiction Prize Winners
We are thrilled to announce the winners for this year's American Short(er) Fiction Prize, judged by Deb Olin Unferth. Thank you to everyone who submitted—reading your work during this time has been a bright spot for us. Congratulations to the winners! _____ First-Place Prize: "Ricky" by Whitney Collins Judge Deb Olin Unferth writes, "Hilarious, rageful, sorrowful, and yet somehow adorable, this satiric story is full of energy and personality to spare." "Ricky" will be published in an … [Read more...] about 2020 American Short(er) Fiction Prize Winners
The 2020 Halifax Ranch Fiction Prize
We’re thrilled to announce that our judge for this year’s Halifax Ranch Fiction Prize will be the brilliant Manuel Gonzales, author of the acclaimed novel The Regional Office Is Under Attack! and the prize-winning short story collection The Miniature Wife and Other Stories. Gonzales's work is wildly inventive and deeply moving, and as he is a contributing editor to ASF, we're especially pleased to have him judge the contest this year. General Guidelines — Submit your entry online between … [Read more...] about The 2020 Halifax Ranch Fiction Prize
Now Closed: The 2020 American Short(er) Fiction Prize
We are thrilled to announce that Deb Olin Unferth, author of six remarkable books, including Wait Till You See Me Dance, Minor Robberies, and the forthcoming novel Barn 8, will judge this year’s American Short(er) Fiction Prize. The prize recognizes extraordinary short fiction under 1,000 words. The first-place winner will receive a $1,000 prize and publication. Previous winners of the Short(er) Fiction Prize have gone on to be anthologized in places such as The Pushcart Prize: Best of the Small … [Read more...] about Now Closed: The 2020 American Short(er) Fiction Prize
2019 The Halifax Fiction Prize Winner
We're delighted to announce that our wonderful judge Rebecca Makkai has selected the winner of The Halifax Ranch Fiction Prize. We received many terrific submissions—thank you for giving us the opportunity to read your work! Winner: "Visitors" by Rachel Vogel Judge's Citation "This story made me tremendously nervous, which is about the highest compliment I can give: It made me care, unsettled me, and had me holding my breath. Looking back on the actual events of the story, they're … [Read more...] about 2019 The Halifax Fiction Prize Winner