September 2018, Philadelphia, PA: Philadelphia Stories, a non-profit literary magazine serving the Delaware Valley and beyond, named Austin-based Lauren Green as this year’s winner of the Marguerite McGlinn Prize for Fiction for her story, Leslie.
Board members poured over hundreds of submissions before narrowing the list to ten finalists, which were then reviewed by the 2018 judge, celebrated author, Dan Chaon. Chaon described Leslie as a “lovely and understated story.” He writes, “I was struck by the intriguing dramatic premise, and impressed by the finely calibrated, vivid scenes.”
This year’s second place goes to Midland (TX) author Stacy Austin Egan for her story, Sugar Mountain. “The complex, dark power struggle between two step-sisters is beautifully rendered,” Chaon said. “The author does a wonderful job imbuing even the most quotidian scenes with a sinister tension.”
Third place goes to Denver (CO) author Laura Farnsworth for her story, Windmills, the Boys. Chaon said of her piece, “This strange, haunting gothic piece is made particularly memorable by its unique, poetic language and quirky use of point of view.”
2018 Finalists:
“The Hibernators” by Jaime Netzer – Austin, TX
“Work on Your Personality” and “Faceless Styrofoam Heads” by Holly Pekowsky – New York, NY
“The Burning of New London” by Brendan Egan – Midland, TX
“Kiss Me Honey and Let’s Go to the Show” by Mojie Crigler – Cambridge, MA
“Buddha” by Ilene Raymond Rush – Elkins Park, PA
“Stick a Needle” by James Pihakis – North Adams, MA
Lauren Green will be honored at an awards dinner to be held at Rosemont College on Friday, October 12, 2018, followed by Philadelphia Stories’ Push to Publish conference on Saturday, October 13th, where judge Dan Chaon will keynote. The annual conference is held on campus at Rosemont, which offers an MFA in Creative Writing and an M.A. in Publishing, and has actively supported the writing community through such literary events.
ABOUT THE CONTEST
The Marguerite McGlinn Prize for Fiction accepts previously unpublished works of fiction up to 8,000 words, annually from January- June. The contest honors the late Marguerite McGlinn, Philadelphia Stories essay editor and beloved friend.
ABOUT PHILADELPHIA STORIES
Philadelphia Stories Magazine is a non-profit that has been serving the writing, reading, and art community of the Greater Delaware Valley since 2004. Read more at www.philadelphiastories.org