The Saturday Evening Post has named Lucy Jane Bledsoe from Berkeley, Calif., as winner of its first Great American Fiction Contest for her story “Wolf” — one couple’s story about identifying with a community of wolf trackers and an awakening that changes their lives forever. Bledsoe’s winning submission will be published in the January/February 2013 issue of The Saturday Evening Post and on the magazine’s website.
“I am so honored to be included in the stream of awesome American fiction writers who have been published in The Saturday Evening Post,” said Bledsoe. “The timing is wonderful for me as I’m finishing up some new projects. I’m really looking forward to the celebration events and to reading other stories in the magazine.”
Bledsoe’s idea for “Wolf” came from her own trip to Yellowstone Park, where she had the opportunity to observe the various wolf packs and the community of people who followed them. Bledsoe is simultaneously working on two novels. One takes place in the Bay Area during a devastating earthquake, and the other is a Cold War story about the first scientists to discover climate change. She is also planning to publish a collection of her short stories.
“The Post has always been dedicated to quality writing and this contest carries on the tradition of promoting an interest in fiction,” said Steven Slon, editorial director and associate publisher, The Saturday Evening Post. “We salute all the writers who entered this year.”
Sponsored by the nonprofit Saturday Evening Post Society, the Great American Fiction Contest is designed to promote fiction and creative writing, while seeking America’s next great voices. The contest offers budding novelists the opportunity to join the ranks of other renowned Post contributors including F. Scott Fitzgerald, Dorothy Parker, William Faulkner, Agatha Christie, Kurt Vonnegut Jr., Ray Bradbury, Louis L’Amour, Sinclair Lewis, Jack London, Anne Tyler and Edgar Allan Poe.
The winning story was chosen by The Saturday Evening Post editorial staff and the magazine’s fiction advisory board.
All of the recognized stories will be compiled in a collector’s edition paperback, “Best Short Stories from The Saturday Evening Post Great American Fiction Contest 2013,” offered for a limited time at $12.95 plus S&H. Order from www.shopthepost.com or call 800-558-2376.
Bledsoe and the runners-up will be honored at a cocktail reception. Entries for the 2014 Great American Fiction Contest are now being accepted. For more information please visit, saturdayeveningpost.com/fiction-contest.