2008

2008 Judge's Report:   I am so thrilled with the opportunity to judge the SFWoE contest this year. I started entering this contest almost as soon as I started writing, and I got my first taste of writing success when "Casualties of War" won third prize in the 1998 contest. What a thrill that was. That began a streak of five straight years in the top ten, and I'm happy to report that all five of those stories were eventually published. I credit Gil and the SFWoE Team with helping me get my start on this writing journey. I was sad to learn that 2008 would be the final contest. I will certainly miss my association with Gil and the SFWoE Contest.

But, on to this year's winners! One thing I love about speculative fiction is the wide range of different genres that fall under that umbrella. This year's top five stories certainly run the gamut. From fractured fairy tales to psychological thrillers, traditional fantasy and unexplained mysteries, these stories have something to please just about everyone.

Grabbing this year's top spot is "Sag'anga Sal" by Roger A. MacDonald. A spooky campfire tale come to life, "Sag'anga Sal," takes us to the unspoiled Wilderness Waters Area in Minnesota, where a young CPA comes in the hopes of getting away from the rat race. He hires The Geezer as his reluctant guide. The Geezer warns our narrator of the dangers of Sal, a monster rumored to live in Big Sag Lake. Of course, our CPA will have none of it, until something happens later that just might change his mind. MacDonald's skillful descriptions set the scene, and his engaging characters carry the tale along.

Second prize goes to "The Harpist's Trap" by David S. Wells, the story of the red-haired lady, who has left her name as well as her past behind her. The story opens with the red-haired lady on the run from Jason of Mirrordell (not his real name), whose harp and purse she has stolen. I won't go into too much detail here, as you'll be able to read my complete review of the story in the newsletter. Wells uses vivid, detailed descriptions to create a believable world with sympathetic characters, and the story's ending is quite poignant.

Roger A. MacDonald reappears in the third spot with "Tigers Wear Stripes." Again set in Minnesota, "Tigers Wear Stripes," is the story of psychiatrist Alan Freeberg and his unusual patient, Jefferson Gamble, whose paranoid delusions just might be showing up in real life. Again, I'll save the details for my review in the newsletter, but MacDonald once again uses his formidable powers of description to create a scene that will raise the hair on the back of your neck.

Rounding out the top five, we have Wylie Ahl's "A Witch's Tale," which features a kind and beautiful wicked witch who has a month to do something absolutely awful or the Witch's Council will take away her magic. Enter a former witch's cat who knows a few good (or evil) spells and the story really takes off. It's a fun story with a sweet ending. Next we have "Live at Eleven," by W. George Buteau, where hardball reporter Hok is sent to investigate the mysterious disappearances happening around the country and around the world. And just who is the stranger visiting churches and warning people this is their last chance to follow him? Could it really be the Savior? Hok isn't sure what to think.

C. Matthew Pendleton's story "The Goblin Of Grimhaven," involving Red Dwarves, Elves, Goblins, and a Great Wizard, nails down sixth place.

In seventh place Christyna Ivers' story "Meet Me At The Gate," told from the view of a man trapped in a deep coma, holds the reader's attention to the very last word.

The eighth place story "My Friend," by Jon Moffat is a story about a deadly mutant who has a habit of eating people. This story holds the reader to the very last bite.

Julie Waight's ninth place story, "Law Of Attraction," is a courtroom drama involving a case of mind murder.

Kaylee Mosher (a young school girl) takes tenth place with "When Two Worlds Meet." A story of a man's love for a hideous alien.

My congratulations to all of the 2008 SFWoE Contest winners. They have a lot of talent and a lot of potential.

--- Angie Lofthouse

SFWoE Note:   SFWoE thanks author Angie Lofthouse for taking the time to judge our 2008 contest in the absence of Edward Bryant.

Judge's Bio:  Since my five year run in the SFWoE top ten, I have published nine short stories, including all five top ten finishers. My fiction has appeared in NFG, Irreantum, Alienskin, Amazing Journeys, Dragons, Knights and Angels, The Sword Review, and the anthology Unparalleled Journeys. I am still writing and submitting. Thanks for giving me the chance to judge this contest.

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