Announcing the Winners of the 2026 Raven Short Story Contest!

Flying High

We are excited to announce the winners of the 2026 Raven Short Story Contest!

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

“I was utterly delighted by the high quality of this year’s stories. They show exceptional prose, emotional maturity, rich sense of place, and unfettered imagination. My hearty congratulations to all the writers who participated in the 2026 Raven Awards.”

The Winners of the 2026 Raven Short Story Contest

Winner: ‘Raising Scorpions’ by Mitchell Toews

First Runner-up: ‘Baba Yaga’s Apples’ by KT Wagner

Second Runner-up: ‘Play the Endgame Like a Machine’ by Sheryl Hamilton

You’ll be able to find these three winning stories in Pulp Literature Issue 54, Spring 2027!

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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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.

Keep the Presses Rolling 2026 Opens Today!

Our annual silent auction fundraiser, Keep the Presses Rolling, opens today. Check out the awesome items on auction, with more coming very soon. If you have something you’d like to donate, our sponsor form is here.