In October of 2023 Bluegrass Writers Coalition launched the Kentucky Visions Short Story Contest, an annual contest designed to highlight Kentucky’s rich literary talent and to celebrate the best in short fiction written by Kentuckians or about our beloved Bluegrass state.
Finalists and winners for the 2024 contest were awarded by Lindy Casebier, Secretary of the Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Council at a ceremony conducted in the Kentucky state capitol's rotunda. See below for pictures of the award ceremony and a list of the winning stories.
The judges have been selected and the 2025 contest is now open!
2024 Contest Finalists
Congratulations to the finalists!
"Billy Ray Something” by Bill Smoot
“Buckshot Bordereau” by J.C. VanHorn
“Ernest and the Queen of the Wolves” by Lynette Hill
“Frank's Last Rites” by Jana Gillham
“Letters to Someone Else” by Helen Vidrine
“Lies and One-Eyed Frogs” by Avery Knockel
“Marti's Plight” by Tekoa Manning
“Off to Oz” by Marie Mitchell & Mason Smith
“Paper Monsters” by Vicki Reed
“Pete and Idy” by Gayle Hanratty
“Pocket Money” by P.K. Richard
“Running Out” by Derek Trumbo
“Seeds” by Briar Hyssop
“The Ghost Magnet” by Marie Mitchell & Mason Smith
“This Old Kentucky Home” by Cortni Marie
“What you Don't Know” by Karen George
All 16 finalist stories have been published in a commemorative collection. Purchase Below.
Purchase on Amazon