We find ourselves again in the enviable position of being the ones to open the gate and set free new wondrous works of creative writing. Sometimes we can’t believe our luck. What a joy to have spent time with this writing, submitted by brave, and exciting artists.
Our most sincere congratulations are extended to every winning, and shortlisted writer below. The time and dedication it takes to bring writing to the standard that you have exhibited is not lost on us: It’s a labor of love, that much we know.
To every writer who submitted, regardless of whether you feature below, we offer our continuing gratitude for choosing to be a part of our community of writers and readers: We value you, and we know how much bravery it takes to send your writing out into the world. Thank you for trusting us, and for thinking of The Letter Review as a potential home for your valuable writing.
In the Short Fiction category we were particularly moved by works featuring powerful symbols: Haunting images that stir the soul, and stay with you long after reading. We noticed a theme of troubled intergenerational relationships arose amongst our favourites.
The poems that affected us also moved forwards, and backwards in time: Searching for roots, answers, and closure in the past. Beautifully evocative language, vivid settings, and stunningly powerful metaphors gripped us throughout.
In the Nonfiction category this round we were particularly drawn to works that were deeply personal, while retaining a commitment to conveying rich detail and fresh information: We felt, and we learned.
As per usual, in the Books category we saw highly polished works: In many cases it’s obvious that the authors have spent years with these entries. Consequently, the worlds we read about are often richly detailed in a way that is truly intellectually satisfying: Couple that satisfaction with good pacing, effective structure, and some profoundly moving revelations and you have a winning entry.
To our readers: Enjoy! We couldn’t be more thrilled to share these literary treats with you. Thanks for sticking around, reading, celebrating with us, and making the whole enterprise of publishing worthwhile.
Short Fiction
Winners
Shortlist
- Ankit Jamwal – The Graveyard Consortium
- Tim Oster – My New Jacket
- James Redfern – DOWN AT THE GUN SHOP
- Emily Cho – Bora
- Simon Bowler – The Last Job
- Thorbjørn Kragh Liljegren – So Good Together
- Sarah Jacobs – Heartbeats and the Lack Thereof
- Amelia Brown – The Koala Hold
- Angie Curneal Palsak – The Big BIZZARD
- Nicolas Slunsky – Either/Or
- Lynda Caratti – Wasp Honey
- Scott Cash – Cloverleaf
- Robert Russin – The Mass of War
- John Potts – Hole in the Earth/Cakes
- Lily Bland – Conversations with Fronds
- Christopher Tarbi – You and Me, Boy
- Henrick Karoliszyn – The Seahorse Rodeo
- Greta Jonas – How We Met
- Andrew Loan – Mind Over Matter
- Luke Bull – MAPPING
- Josh Rosen – Who We Were Yesterday
- Rebecca Hurst – Bombweed
- Harry Armfield – I Couldn’t Remember.
- Brad Cohen – Harrisburg at 9:05
Poetry
Winners
- Lucia Kiersch Haase – Banagher Glen
- Christine Harapiak – Learning to Fly
- Caleb Hill – October Hands
- Liam Boyle – His and her story, with dates
Shortlist
- Tayden Li – Sea-Watcher
- Mia Watson – Crying, longing, hoping
- Akiriti Prasad – The Universe Kills Love
- Aimee Ablett – Finding ( ) With You
- E.P. Murphy – I stood a distance from the apple tree
- Greg Sendi – I Like the Way
- Felicia Becerra – The Temple at Delfi
- Sahana Athreya – Why do we cry?
- Harker Brautighan – Let the Mesas Kiss Your Feet
- Krista Schmeling – Second Spring
- Fiona Jensen – A Small Request
- Chris Hostettler – I Am Jonah
- Lauren Oertel – In the Corners of What Remains
- Natalie Ford – An Unscientific Argument Against Botox
- Katelyn Bunch – on poetry
- Samantha Terrell – Nor Should We
- Charlie Cottrell – teenage vow
Nonfiction
Winners
- Yi Li – Echoes of History
- Teodora Vamvu – I’M GOING TO TELL YOU SOMETHING ABOUT DATING BECAUSE NOBODY ELSE WILL
- Eric C. Johnson – Beside Island Lake
Shortlist
- Mark Wettour – A Light Undimmed
- Maria B. Olujic – Stay the Course
- Laura Bergman – Menopause Showdown
- Denarii Peters – The Best Seat in the House
- Carla Carlton – Oak Street Beach, 1988
Books
Winners
- Sharon Penna – A Temporary Madness
- Ginny Bartolone – The Search for the Phoenix Woman
- Joanna Rotkin – No Anguish in This House: A Memoir of Dancing and of Dying
Shortlist
- Briá Purdy – The Harebell
- Skylar Ruprecht – Six Degrees of Auspicious Jones
- Dave Benedict – Havoc
- Margaret Adams – Occupational Hazards
- Glenn Devlin – Time Family Robinson
- Susan Graham – Blue Sky Gone
- Ricky Lowes – On The Line
- Sophie Servaes – The Wrath of Stars
- Laura Bergman – Waiting for Miles
- Samuel Gilpin – Apoptosis
- Dave Sprecher – Under the Edison Bulbs