History Through Fiction is proud to announce the winners of our first annual short story contest!

Grand Prize
The Hills That Hold Me by Ellen O’Brien
Condemned to drift throughout the centuries, Melangel must weave a new tale of her sainthood and take control of her story.

Runner-Up
The Third Match by Susan Perabo
On the day Britain enters the Second World War, a university student is directed to take part in the extermination of poisonous animals at the London Zoo.

Honorable Mention
The Wind and the Widow by Lynn Downey
A fearful young housewife learns the meaning of courage from a notorious widow in WWII California.

The stories will be published to History Through Fiction’s Member-only Content Area on November 1, 2023.

History Through Fiction’s First Annual Short Story Contest received ninety-four submissions. Each one was reviewed, scored, and evaluated by one of our fourteen volunteer judges. Six finalists were chosen by the founder of History Through Fiction, Colin Mustful. From the six finalists, three winners were chosen after a careful review from Colin Mustful and History Through Fiction’s short story acquisitions editor, Robin Henry.

The winner of the honorable mention receives a $50 gift card to Bookshop.org. The winner of the honorable mention receives a $100 cash prize and an interview published to History Through Fiction’s blog. The winner of the grand prize receives a $200 cash prize, a story cover image designed by professional artist Jake Quatt, nomination to the Pushcart Prize, and an interview on History Through Fiction’s podcast.

All three stories will be published to History Through Fiction’s Member-only Content Area on November 1, 2024.

Thank you to everyone who participated in History Through Fiction’s First Annual Short Story Contest. History Through Fiction will use the feedback provided by submitters to improve and renew the contest next year.