2025 Fellowship Winners List
It was a great ride, and Pen Parentis is so excited to announce the winners of the 2024-2025 Writing Fellowship for New Parents!
CONGRATULATIONS TO HELEN SPENCER!
Prizes will be presented at the Livecast Literary Salon on November 12, 2024 when we “pass the tiara” from reigning fellow Taylor Hobbs (whose NOVEL IS CURRENTLY ON SUBMISSION! Go Taylor!) to the new Fellow – please subscribe to YouTube.com/penparentis to be alerted when we go live at 7pm Eastern that day! We would love to see you – and you’ll love the winning story!
1st Place and winner of $2000, public presentation, publication, and a year in the Cycle of Support goes to:
Mixing Bowls
Author: Helen Spencer (New York, 1 Child)
Comments: A disarmingly simple and heartbreaking story. Very relatable and moving. Beautiful, unforced metaphors, clean and direct writing, with emotions that are subtle yet deep. A whole life history–past, present, and future–in under 500 words.
2nd Place and winner of $500, and a year in the Cycle of Support
Sometimes a Lie is Kindness
Author: Lindsey Smith (Texas, 1 Child)
Comments: literary, realistic story with a well-crafted mother character. The believable situation and tense relationship, coupled with palpable jealousy, make this story stand out.
3rd Place and winner of $250 and a year in the Cycle of Support
This Close to the Equator
Author: Esther Herdman (Virginia, 2 Children)
Comments: Exceptional sensory details and vivid descriptions. The story packs a lot into just 500 words, capturing a compelling highway journey.
Honorable Mentions
- Snow White and the Sleep Study by Margaret Adams
- Bruised Chrysanthemums by Autumn Bettinger
- The 7-11 That Exists in Every Reality by Lynne Beckenstein
- Seesaw by Molly Tolsky
Shortlist
(all of the above plus):
Passing by Alyssa Durst
One Night Upon the Shore by Shay Gallowa
Airing Dirty Laundry by Rebecca Alvey
A Beautiful Taco by Julia Halprin Jackson (which every judge noted had the best title)