Category Archives: News

News about the site.

STORY OF THE MONTH: August 2019

News

The Story of the Month is chosen from the Story of the Week winners announced from the past month.

The finalists for August were:

When the Dark Rain Blew Away Our Home by Michael H. Brownstein
The Mark by G.B. Burgess
The Lucky One by John B. Sinclair
Breathing Space by Dini Armstrong
Discordant by Lisa Alletson

The winner of the August 2019 Story of the Month, and the $10 prize, is…

When the Dark Rain Blew Away Our Home

Michael made a creative use of the 50-word format, using his words to set the scene and create the characters in an unconventional way. The format feels impersonal to me, like an interview on the evening news, or an aid worker interviewing people rapidfire in a temporary shelter to check if they need immediate medical attention or if they can be left alone for now in the corner. We know, academically, that we should feel sympathy for this character as a human being, but she is just a nameless face that represents the news story. And then the final line hits, and the humanity of the character gushes out with her breath. It’s a great effect, and makes for a great story.

STORY OF THE MONTH: July 2019

News

The Story of the Month is chosen from the Story of the Week winners announced from the past month.

The finalists for July were:

1000 Yards by Adrian L. Cook
After the Water by Evan McMurry
Lily by Judy DeCroce
Today is Like Every Day byLaura Besley

The winner of the July 2019 Story of the Month, and the $10 prize, is…

After the Water

Evan personalized the post-apocalypse, a great achievement in any medium, let alone the fifty-word format. That’s definitely a feat worthy of recognition!