Winning Stories
The 5th Playground Challenge - December 2022
1st Place
“Of Dust, Of Bone, Of Soul” by Jay McKenzie
Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
Follow Jay: Instagram
The day the sun sets in the east, Axel and Pirie prepare for their most important work so far. But can a grieving Axel keep his mind on his work and his heart in check?
2nd Place
“Diabolus Ex Machina” by Ian Salavon
Fort Worth, TX, USA
Follow Ian: Twitter
An unassuming widower argues against charges of witchcraft.
3rd Place
“The Wanderer” by Natalie Maddern
Adelaide, South Australia
A young woman goes exploring in Budapest.
4th Place
“Patronage” by Dawn Shirley
Cherry Valley, IL, USA
A 1930s New Years Eve party in the year 2252 and a musician who is not sure he wants to be part of a rich man’s collection.
5th Place
“Unnatural Ends” by Michael J. Vowles
London, United Kingdom
Follow Michael: Website
A slave for the Praetorian Prefect Sejanus is tasked with one last - yet horrific - duty before being granted his freedom.
6th Place
“Delayed Arrival” by Lucy Joyce
Fernie, BC, Canada
Follow Lucy: Website
A narcissist with the ability to stop time encounters a situation where her special blessing feels more like a curse.
7th Place
“A Suitable Realm” by Sara Kreider
Concord, NC, USA
A psychiatrist visits with a patient who believes he is a wizard.
8th Place
“3 Strings” by G. Sanders
Chicago, IL, USA
Follow G. Sanders: Website or Instagram
The story of a young girl named Hypate, gifted to the Sun God Apollo, and raised to be an oracle—but does she even believe in the gods?
9th Place
“A Spirit’s Bane for Youthful Gain” by Emeth Everley
Fort Wayne, IN, USA
Follow Emeth: Amazon Author Page or Instagram
Young Kitsune Akito finds himself in a monsters cave. But what could the foul fiend want?
10th Place
“Eclipse on the Shore” by Jayne Hunter
Charlotte, NC, USA
Jacob has lost his parents and feels adrift in a sea of strangers at his new guardian’s New Year’s Eve party, taking place during the day to experience a solar eclipse at the family lake house.
Honorable Mentions:
“Things of Endless Joy” by Keri Cronin
Ontario, Canada
Follow Keri: Website or Twitter
A veteran of the Great War turns his attention to butterfly collecting while his wife struggles to cope with the new post-war realities.
“After the Past” by Nick vanOuwerkerk
Oyster Bed Bridge, PEI, Canada
A young girl deals with significant loss and struggles to see a way forward.
“Eleven Twenty Nine” by Daniel Lockwood
Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
The underworld is also the womb of mother earth.
“At the End” by David Ley
London, United Kingdom
Follow David: Twitter
A powerful wizard must complete a spell during a solar eclipse, but is hampered by some well-meaning youngsters.
“G-O-D Spelled Backwards” by Hallie Ranta
Rocky River, OH, USA
Follow Hallie: Twitter
Puck asks a lot of questions. When he loses his family, is there anyone left to hear them?
“When in Rome, Stay Away from Pointy Sticks” by Jane Brown
Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia
Follow Jane: Twitter
The Roman Empire's young commander becomes obsessed with conquering the Glamorous Kingdom. This would be a lot easier if it wasn't the home of all the witches and wizards of the land.
“The Writing on the Wall” by Susan King
Salisbury, MD, USA
A young woman confronts her childhood trauma following her mothers death during her first visit to a psychiatrist.
“If the Shoes Fit” by Laurie O'Connor Stephans
Plano, IL, USA
Follow Laurie: Website or FaceBook
Observations and assumptions flow as freely as champagne at an exclusive society New Year's Eve party. But is anyone really what they seem?
“The Purging” by Kathy Roberts
Brantford, ON, Canada
While the family is watching a hybrid solar eclipse, a collector's garage sale treasures catch fire in a half-a-man-cave. Will the fire be put out in time?
“The Feast of Cetus” by Anika Jensen
Banff, AB, Canada
In the great city of ancient Rome lies a dance of power between two people, one shining with with money and the other with wits.
One-Year Anniversary Challenge Winning Stories - July 2022
Third Challenge Winning Stories - March 2022
