Once again, we had the opportunity to read a (virtual) stack of flash fiction pieces that have enlarged our worlds—and we are grateful. As usual, we employed the Venn Diagram method of settling on the winners, each listing our own top choices and then selecting from those that overlapped. It’s an interesting way of judging because deeply held favorites may not even ‘medal’. But that pretty much underscores the subjective nature of contests (or, you know, anything.) What speaks to one person might not, another. Which is all to say—that, contests aside, the truly important thing is that you keep keep writing and sharing your words.

This year’s 1st place winner is Midnight by Cyndy Muscatel. Our 2nd place win goes to Dominik Slusarczyk’s Holidays. Congratulations to both!

Erika Raskin is Streetlight‘s fiction editor. Her latest novel, Allegiance, is about the slow creep of a fascist takeover in America — and its impact on one family. More of her words can be found at erikaraskin.com.

Mary Esselman has an extensive background in writing and editing. She currently serves as program coordinator and editor for Iris magazine, a student-run publication of the University of Virginia Maxine Platzer Lynn Women’s Center. She is the author of HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?: Poems for the Not So Young Anymore, YOU DRIVE ME CRAZY: Love Poems for Real Life, KISS OFF: Poems to Set You Free, and THE HELL WITH LOVE: Poems to Mend a Broken Heart.