Out of 353 entries, one story has emerged as victor!

Guest judge Mike Allen (Mythic Delirium) was tasked to choose a winner from the top 20 entries as decided by Apex Magazine editor-in-chief Jason Sizemore and managing editor Lesley Conner.

Here is the list of authors who made our top 20: Rajiv Mote, Jordan Kurella, Giles Gammage, Erin K. Wagner, Patrick Barb, Byron Alexander Campbell, R. Jean Bell, Brian Griffiths, L.T. Ward, T.R. Siebert, Kealan Patrick Burke, Inês Montenegro, Melissa Dykes, AJ Hartson, Robert Daeley, Premee Mohamed, Clint Collins, Liv Sävström Müller, and Katharine Duckett.

Mike selected two honorable mentions. These stories will be published on Patreon this week and our blog next mont and each author will receive $10:

“Blood and Peppermint” by Clint Collins

“Missa do Galo” by Inês Montenegro

Our contest winner as chosen by Mike Allen is …

“All I Want for Christmas” by Charles Payseur

Congratulations to Charles! You can read his winning story in issue 121 of Apex Magazine coming January 5th!