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2023 Fiction and Poetry Contest Results

Congratulations to this year’s writing contest finalists, and thank you to all of the Wisconsin writers who entered the contest. The overall quality of the submissions was exceptional this year. The winners will be announced later this summer and will appear in upcoming issues of Wisconsin People & Ideas.

Fiction Finalists

“Simeon and the Bad Kid” by Margaret Benbow, Madison

“Music Appreciation for the Dead” by Matt Cashion, La Crosse

“The Goddess of Illicit Choices” by Susanna Daniel, Madison

“The Odds Against Something” by Kathryn Gahl, Brookfield,

“Zugunruhe” by Holly Hilliard, Madison

“Wrong Number” by C. Kubasta, Mineral Point

“Life Sucks” by Tyler Marchant, Stevens Point

“Not Drowning, But Waving” by John Mulvihill, New Glarus

“The Right Decision” by Joseph Rein, River Falls

“Into that Good Night” by Richard Zaborowske, Appleton

Poetry Finalists

“This is Not a Villanelle” by Emily Bowles, Appleton

“Mercury Goes Right Through You” by Steven Espada Dawson, Madison

“I Hate People Who Cut in Line But” by Marnie Dresser, Spring Green

“A Deterioration in Talks” by Adam Fell, Madison

“if I have an addiction to water, know it’s hereditary” by Taylor Kirby, Madison

“everywhere else is Cleveland” by Samantha Link, Milwaukee

“Climate Passover” by K. E. McCoy, Madison

“The Secret to Success Sells Tomatoes at the Farmer’s Market” by Matti Powers, Madison

“My Boy” by Sakkara Athene Richards, Middleton

“some taverns use shotguns for door handles” by Kimberly Lynn Sailor, Mount Horub

“Ambiguous Loss” by Kelly R. Samuels, La Crosse

“My Son Standing Near a Glass of Water” by Sheryl Slocum, Milwaukee

“Ache Index” by William Stobb, Onalaska

“Our Young Men” by Guy Thorvaldsen, Madison

“Husband’s Depressive Distance” by Katherine Yets, St. Francis