Short Story Contest | Palo Alto Online |

ANNOUNCING THE WINNERS OF THE
26th ANNUAL PALO ALTO WEEKLY 2011

Adult Winners

The story of the Palo Alto Weekly's 26th Annual Short Story Contest is one driven by characters -- the robot who struggles to define humanity, the horse that longs for freedom, the mother who retreats from her worrisome reality, and the girl who develops in front of the reader's eyes during a turning point in her life. The characters in each story are as distinct as their authors, and each lends emotion and depth to their stories.

The Palo Alto Weekly thanks each of the 142 writers who entered this year's contest as well as writers Ann Hillesland and Shelly King, who chose the top entries in each category to send to judges.

Also, thanks to our judges and the contest co-sponsors Bell's Books of Palo Alto, Kepler's of Menlo Park and Linden Tree of Los Altos.

For the first time ever, download the audio version of the first place winners stories.

First Place
Diane Holcomb
When the Knock Comes
Download Audio Version

Second Place
Apala G. Egan
Bastille Day

Third Place
Michele Raffin
Do the Math

Youth Winners

Children 9-11

First Place
Nicole Knauer
Nico
Download Audio Version

Second Place
Emma Miller
A Tale of a Tail

Third Place
Nisha McNealis
Lightning Strikes

Teen 12-14

First Place
Maya McNealis
The Perfect Souvenir
Download Audio Version