Results of the 2023 Dreamers Flash Contest

Results of the 2023 Dreamers Flash Contest

Congratulations to the winners of the 2023 Dreamers Flash Fiction and Nonfiction Contest.

The excitement we feel for the Dreamers Contest each year is indescribable, and this year’s batch of entries did not disappoint. We received an array of stories, each one unique and amazing in its own right. The creativity and depth showcased by our talented participants were truly inspiring. Among this impressive collection, we have one exceptional story that clinched the first place spot, along with three other stories that earned well-deserved honorable mentions. Each of these stories stood out for their compelling narratives and captivating storytelling. It’s always a highlight of our year to see such a diverse mix of talent and creativity. We’re grateful to every writer who shared their work with us, contributing to the contest’s ever-growing tapestry of storytelling.

It’s a joy to see such variety and talent in our flash contest submissions every year! Congratulations to all the winners…

First Place:

A Melancholy Old Woman Dying A Miserable Death Alone
Nonfiction by Kelly Macías

“We quit!” my ovaries pronounce with gusto on a random Thursday afternoon, and if I’d been paying attention I would have seen it coming since they’d left me plenty of clues we were headed for a dramatic breakup: the simultaneous puking and period poop every month, cramps like I’d been mauled repeatedly by a world class fighter in a Taekwondo match…

Honourable Mention:

Divided By One
Nonfiction by Suzanne Galante

Once we rolled into the patient parking garage, exhaust fumes encased cars that circled and hovered and eased between yellow lines. The pollution amplified the sickness that lodged itself into my stomach before toes touched carpet that morning.

Honourable Mention:

The Question Remains
Fiction by Wendy Mages

Confidently flouting the mandatory mask policy, the man, wearing khaki cargo shorts, an orange short-sleeved polo shirt, and loafers, entered the quiet waiting room. The receptionist must have noticed his bare face but, out of deference or conflict-avoidance, merely asked him to take a seat in the waiting area and complete the intake form.

Honourable Mention:

Homemade Insanity
Nonfiction by Matthew Wong

This—was my mother’s recipe, passed onto me from her frigid, tender hands. I remember the first time I experienced it: a mellow, subtle, and quiet taste. It was as if the air itself stopped moving, and I was vulnerable, like a child left alone to fend for themself. The experience was textureless, but left a bitter aftertaste in my mouth. A whole two weeks’ time until the lingering pungency passed.

Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to everyone who entered the contest!

These stories have all been published in Issue 16 of the Dreamers Magazine.

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