Congratulations from all of us to Carol Keeley, winner of the 2025-2026 Winter Short Story Award for New Writers! Jim Shepard selected Keeley’s “Wind and Embers” as the grand-prize winner in this year’s contest, a story Shepard describes as “spectacularly authoritative and persuasive in its rendering of the harrowing experience of trying to survive an oncoming wildfire.” Keeley earns a $3,000 prize along with publication and review by our partnered agents. Congratulations also to Emily Mathis and Michael Hughes Wesner, our second- and third-place finalists, respectively, as well as to Clare Fielder and Stephanie Isan, our two honorable mentions. Thank you to each and every submitter who made this year’s contest so tough. Submissions for our Summer contest open on July 1.
Winner
“Wind and Embers” by Carol Keeley
Second Place Finalist
“When Women Walked on Land” by Emily Mathis
Third Place Finalist
“The Big Reboot” by Michael Hughes Wesner
Honorable Mentions
“Hulijing” by Stephanie Isan
“Like This” by Clare Fielder