We are pleased to announce the winner, runner-up, and honorable mentions for our Winter Writing Contest. Thank you to everyone who submitted their work.

You guys really delivered for our “Wildcard” contest. We received so many fantastic submissions.

After much hand-wringing, we are delighted to announce “Ask the Stars” by JBea Wilson as the winner!

JBea will have the opportunity to have her story published to The Pearl. She’ll also receive a $100 Amazon gift card to Amazon.

Congratulations, JBea. Your story was well-written, inspired, and emotionally evocative. You successfully balanced a child protagonist’s naiveté with narrative clarity and achieved a uniquely authentic voice with your work.

The Pearl is publishing new short stories, essays, and poetry ever week. Check it out at PearlMag.co, and subscribe so that you don’t miss “Ask the Stars” when it’s published soon.

Runner-Up

“The Cactus Epistle” by Abby Bales takes our second-place prize.

Abby’s story, chronicling the life of a girl through the eyes of her potted cactus, was imaginative and funny. The creative premise set this story apart from the competition.

Abby will receive $50 to spend in The Company Store. Check out some of the stuff that’s been added, including cool t-shirts, mugs, and more.

Honorable Mention

The following stories were close contenders for the price and deserve recognition:

“Seven-Ten Split” by Eliza June Sapphire

“Father of Grace” by Sarah Romanov

“Fat Cat” by Gina Angelone

“Thoughts of a Circus Boy” by Madison Esshaki

Thank you for submitting

This contest was judged by Brad and Melissa Pauquette, the founders of The Company.

Don’t miss our Spring contest. We’re looking for flash fiction on the theme “Breakthrough”. Submissions close on June 1. Learn more and enter here.

This contest is free to enter, and you retain the rights to your work. Take advantage of this opportunity and submit today. This contest will be judged by the first-year apprentices at The Company, Alli Prince and Lindsey Backen.

(By the way, we’re now enrolling this fall’s class of apprentices. Learn more and apply here.)

Never miss another contest!

Use the form below to sign up for The Company’s free newsletter and never miss another contest.