SmokeLong’s second biennial competition to celebrate the tiniest of stories–The SmokeLong Grand Micro Competition (The Mikey)–has its winners! What a task it was to choose these top 8 micros. A big thanks to the 14 SmokeLong reader-judges from 7 countries who chose to take on this challenge. They were all tireless, thoughtful, and quick. As always.
Thank you also to the long- and shortlisted authors. You all wowed us with impressive and memorable work.
Starting with the 2023 competition, we now consider previously published work in this competition–from any year–alongside previously unpublished work. We’re happy with this decision, especially in cases such as Madeline Anthes’s micro “Perseids” where the original home is now defunct. Yay to second chances! But we’re also thrilled to showcase the very much alive and wonderful journals that originally published other micros on this list of winning micros, which will all appear in Issue 82 of SmokeLong Quarterly. From nearly 1500 entries to 8, here are the winners…
The Eight Winners of The Mikey 2023
First Place — “Hey Lisa I Hope You Like” by Sara Hills
Second Place — “The Great Butter Baby Championship” by Emily Rinkema
Third Place — “Mother Tongue” by Kik Lodge (previously published in The Citron Review)
Finalists
“Perseids” by Madeline Anthes (previously published in Midwestern Gothic, defunct)
“Passing” by Dhyanna Raffi-David (a longer version previously published in Lunch Ticket)
“Balance” by Barbara Diggs (previously published in Flash Flood)
“Unfinished Houses” by Ani King
“Chicken” by Natalie Warther (previously published in HAD)
The core workshop of SmokeLong Fitness is all in writing, so you can take part from anywhere at anytime. We are excited about creating a supportive, consistent and structured environment for flash writers to work on their craft in a community. We are thrilled and proud to say that our workshop participants have won, placed, or been listed in every major flash competition. Community works.