Announcing the Winners of the 2025 Raven Short Story Contest!

Taking Flight

We are delighted to announce the winners of the 2025 Raven Short Story Contest!

Here’s what final judge Kelly Robson had to say about this year’s batch of shortlisted stories:

“I was especially struck by the poetry and compassion of this year’s stories, along with the sense of history and vivid settings. All the stories achieved significant emotional effect, which is especially impressive considering the very tight word count. I congratulate all the shortlisted authors on their excellent work.”

The Winners of the 2025 Raven Short Story Contest

Winner: ‘She is Magic, She is Myst’ by Avery Other

First Runner-up: ‘Second Helping at Conchita’s Diner’ by Mitchell Toews

Second Runner-up: ‘Pahlavan and The Nightingale’ by Niloufar-Lily Soltani

You’ll be able to find these three winning stories in Pulp Literature Issue 50, Spring 2026!

Thank you again to final judge Kelly Robson for her insight and time. Kelly is an award-winning science fiction, fantasy, and horror writer. Visit her at kellyrobson.com.

And thank you to all of our submitting authors for sharing your words and supporting Pulp Literature!

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Looking for other ways to support Pulp Literature? Be sure to check out our annual silent auction here to bid on editorial feedback, stunning artwork, experiences and classes, book bundles, and more!

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A hearty thank you once again to judge Kelly Robson, for her keen eye and careful judgement!

Kelly Robson is an award-winning science fiction, fantasy, and horror writer. She won the 2018 Nebula Award for Best Novelette and her short fiction won the 2022, 2019, and 2016 Aurora Awards. She has also been a finalist for the Hugo, Nebula, World Fantasy, Theodore Sturgeon, Locus, Astounding, Aurora, and Sunburst awards.

Kelly grew up in the foothills of the Rockies, competing in rodeos and gymkhanas. From 2008 to 2012, she wrote the wine and spirits column for Chatelaine. ‘Good for Grapes’ appeared as our featured story in Pulp Literature Issue 23, Summer 2019. After twenty-two years in Vancouver, she and her wife, fellow writer AM Dellamonica, now make their home in downtown Toronto. Visit her at kellyrobson.com.