Winning Stories
The Seventh Playground Challenge - January 2024
1st Place
“Vialle” by Tori Lewis
Lexington, SC, USA
Follow Tori: Website or Instagram
As the world crumbles around him, a desperate man confronts the catastrophic consequences of his actions and, in doing so, comes face to face with his greatest fear.
2nd Place
“A Mother’s Vigil” by Zelda C. Thorne
Norwich, UK
Follow Zelda: Website
A sleep deprived woman goes to pick up her daughter from the train station after a prolonged absence.
3rd Place
“The Snow Shrine” by George Cooksey
Okinawa, Japan
In the winter of 1937, a young girl and her parents seek safety in the prelude to one of the greatest tragedies of World War II.
4th Place
“The Gap Between the Breaths” by Jan Twomey
Hobart, TAS, Australia
Follow Jan: Facebook
The tale of a mother's loss, and of a mother's fierce love.
5th Place
“The Mare in Me” by Liv Strom
Wallisellen, Switzerland
Follow Liv: Website or Instagram
When Astrid's older sister speaks of the creatures she sees, Astrid almost sees them as well, but as their parents understand the extent of her beliefs, they react differently. Set in 1920s Denmark.
6th Place
“A Suitcase of Colours” by Anne Wilkins
Auckland, New Zealand
Follow Anne: Website or Facebook
A colourful journey on a train for a young girl.
7th Place
“The Recall” by Lucy Joyce
Fernie, BC, Canada
Follow Lucy: Website or Instagram
A professor is recalled to a strange future, but finds himself - once again - unable to help.
8th Place
“Sleepe No More” by Malia Wessel
Nittedal, Norway
St Kitts, 1690—A mysterious pirate ship drifts ashore with nine deceased crew and one traumatized survivor. Not a man of superstition, Commodore Barrington apprehends the madman—little does he know of the vengeance that pirate has in store.
9th Place
“Last Night at The Sapphire” by Tamsin Marischal
Tulsa, OK, USA
Contact for Tamsin: tamsinmarischal@gmail.com
A woman of many secrets falls in love with a jazz musician. Will history be kind?
10th Place
“Madame Beauchamp's Caravan of Mysteries” by Lisa Robertson
Aubrey, TX, USA
Seventeen-year-old Ruby is pregnant, alone and looking for redemption—or at least a way out of Delaney Creek before she starts to show.
Honorable Mentions:
“Port of Call” by Melissa McPherson
Gregory, MI, USA
Amidst a family gathering, a young girl visits a place from her childhood and reflects on events that have happened there.
“Mosaic” by Charlie Bowles
Fife, Scotland
Dr. Freya McIver was told this would be an interview regarding her research. She knew from the moment she had entered the room that something was off.
“The Fortune Teller” by Diane Nicholls
Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia
Follow Diane: Instagram
Police agent, Mrs B, dreams of her own detective agency as she cracks down on the scourge of fake clairvoyants. But when a catastrophe strikes, could she lose everything just as the fortune teller predicted?
“Hope Placed in the Jeremy Greens, and Others like Them” by Jinny Alexander
Mullingar, WH, Ireland
Follow Jinny: Facebook or LinkTree
Following the cataclysmic earthquake of 2024, Jeremy Green was one of few survivors. Given initial respite on a cruise ship before being relocated to a small terraced house in 1924, Jeremy must play his part in rebuilding the world.
“Hershey’s Kiss” by Ari Kuplu
New Haven, CT, USA
A young woman boards a train and must decide if she wants to carry a pregnancy to term.
“The Lament of Lord Elend” by Ryan Fleming
Birmingham, AL, USA
Follow Ryan: Instagram or LinkedIn
Lord Elend wrestles with his daughter's disease and questions God's goodness through her affliction.
“Dancing Her Way to Normal” by Victoria Kelly
Millsboro, DE, USA
Following the Pandemic of 1918, the United States reopened in ways that promoted both hope and fear. This is the story of a young woman determined to become a teacher when that required exceptional courage.
“At All Costs” by Denise Lux-Bridges
Adelaide, South Australia
Ex-lovers meet on the train to Paris after the Great War.
“Goodnight” by Lila Ndinsil
Rockland, ON, Canada
A young girl tries her best to stay awake in order to watch a meteor shower with her Grandpa. As she gets sleepier, her thoughts become more jumbled and her memory gets foggy, making her forget one very important thing.
“Time Given” by Melody Ferr
Ontario, Canada
Follow Melody: Website
A story about a recently divorced young woman who finds herself in an unusual living situation while trying to figure out what to do with herself.
Sixth Challenge Winning Stories - May 2023
Fifth Challenge Winning Stories - December 2022
One-Year Anniversary Challenge Winning Stories - July 2022
Third Challenge Winning Stories - March 2022
