We're delighted to announce the winner and finalist for our first flash fiction contest:

Winner: Maria Haskins, "Iridescence"
Finalist: Kathryn Kulpa, "Path of Stones"

The winner received $100, and both stories have been published in Issue IV.

A note from Gwendolyn Kiste, our judge:

“There were so many gorgeous pieces submitted for this contest, and it was truly an honor to read all of them. Out of the submissions, the two selected stories not only best exemplified the Bracken aesthetic but also took a unique perspective on the theme of Home. That being said, all of the pieces I read for this contest were absolutely wonderful in their own way. I very much hope to see some of those stories appearing in other publications over the coming months. Thank you to everyone who submitted, and keep writing that beautiful prose!”

Thank you to all who submitted and promoted our contest. We were able to raise $120, all of which is going towards paying our authors, poets, and a cover artist for Issue IV. A multitude of thank-yous as well to our amazing judge, Gwendolyn Kiste, without whom this contest wouldn't be the same.

We can't wait to share these brilliant stories and the rest of our shiny new issue with you all. Look for it later this summer.