Art Affair: Sponsor of the Poetry, Short Story and Western Short Story Contests

Art Affair’s western fiction contest (maximum: 5,000 words) is open to any writer. Enter your own original work only. Please do not include an SASE: entries will not be returned.

Entries must be postmarked by October 1, 2012 and should be unpublished, unaccepted for publication, and never optioned when entered into the contest. Manuscripts must be double-spaced and in 12-point font.

IMPORTANT: Please type Western and your name, address, telephone number, and title of manuscript on a cover page which will be removed before judging. On your manuscript, type page/word counts in the upper right-hand corner of the first page.

You may enter as many western short stories as you like but each entry requires an entry fee of five dollars. (You may mail all entries together and pay with one check or money order.)

Prizes: $50.00, $25.00, $15.00 (Prize money and certificates will be mailed to the winners and a list of winners will be published on the website in December 2012.)

First Place – Linda Sherlock, Wallasey-Wirral, United Kingdom – “Ridin' On Ahead”

Second Place – Dave P. Fisher, Sparks, Nevada – "Crow Scout"

Third Place – Dave P. Fisher, Sparks, Nevada – "Mrs. Reynolds"

Honorable Mentions – in alphabetical order)

Honorable Mention – Robert Boertien, Gresham, Oregon – "Customer Service"

Honorable Mention – Dave P. Fisher, Sparks, Nevada – "Montana Jack"

Honorable Mention – Gary R. Hoffman, Okeechobee, Florida – "Bad Blood"

Honorable Mention – Lin Johns, Calgary-Alberta, Canada – "The Dude"

Honorable Mention – Judy Magnuson Lilly, Salina, Kansas – "Honeymoon Train"

Honorable Mention – M. Carolyn Steele, Tulsa, Oklahoma – "Keeper of the Fire"

Honorable Mention – Robert Walton, King City, California – "Black Maggie's Secret"

Art Affair 2008 Western Short Story Contest Winners:

First Place – W. D. West, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL – “A Legend of the North”

Second Place – W. D. West, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL – “Beartooth Pass”

Third Place – Dave P. Fisher, Sparks, NV – “The Lone Rider”

Honorable Mentions – in alphabetical order)

Honorable Mention – Terry Alexander, Porum, OK – “Double Event”

Honorable Mention – Terry Alexander, Porum, OK – “The Last Ride Home”

Honorable Mention – Karen Coody Cooper, Tahlequah, OK – “The Worst Day” ”

Honorable Mention – Beth Henderson, Englewood, OH – “The Game at Eden's Hill” ”

Honorable Mention – Judy Magnuson Lilly, Salina, KS – “Chills and Fever”

Art Affair 2006 Western Short Story Contest Winners:

First Place – Susan K. Salzer, Columbia, MO – “Cornflower Blue”

Second Place – Gerald Eisman, Sarasota, FL – “Duel on Dunphy's Mesa”

Third Place – Vivian Gilbert Zabel, Edmond, OK – “Never Leave Me”

Honorable Mentions – in alphabetical order)

Honorable Mention – Stoney Hardcastle, Wilburton, OK – “She/Devil On the Range”

Honorable Mention – Betty Powers, Yukon, OK – “The Dreamer”

Honorable Mention – Danny Wright, China Spring, TX – “Mulling a Texas Problem”

Art Affair 2004 Western Short Story Contest Winners:

First Place – Robert Edward Harper, Bull Shoals, AR – “Cherokee Raid”

Second Place – Jerry Craven, Canyon, TX – “Runaways”

Third Place – Gerald Eisman, Sarasota, FL – “Trueblood”

First Honorable Mention – N. E. Chapman, Oklahoma City, OK – “A Memorable Time”

Second Honorable Mention – M. Carolyn Steele, Tulsa, OK – “The Pity of It All”

Art Affair 2003 Western Short Story Contest Winners:

First Place - Peggy Bechko, Santa Fe, NM - "Skykicker"

Second Place - Gerald Eisman, Sarasota, FL - "Carmody"

Third Place - Lori Van Pelt, Saratoga, WY - "Death Track"

Honorable Mention - Susan K. Salzer, Columbia, MO - "Captives"